Tropic Weekender: Our guide to the best events and things to do in Cairns
This weekend brings a bit of everything to Cairns, from live music to bingo, markets to sport.
A new CBD new wine bar is also opening, while outdoor cinema is set to return to the Botanic Gardens!
The rain looks like it'll clear up for a cloudy and dry weekend.
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Thursday 30 June
Tonight marks the opening of Crystalbrook’s newest venue, Arte – a specialty wine bar taking over the former Milk Bar in Crystalbrook Bailey’s atrium. From 4 to 7pm, there’ll be a DJ set and live saxophonist to enjoy as you sip on a white or red.
Friday 1 July
The Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron is hosting another one of its ‘Troppo Fridays’, this time bringing Keith Eales and Harmonique for a dose of live music. The fun starts at 3pm!
The Benson Hotel celebrates its first lap around the sun this Friday, offering two-for-one dinners and drinks on arrival. There’s also live music, and a lucky door prize! Bookings are filling fast.
Saturday 2 July
What’s better than some markets on a sunny Saturday? The Gordonvale Cottage Markets are on from 8am to midday, while the Koah Monthly Market will run from 9am to 1pm.
In Cairns, you can also check out the Lil J’s Vintage Markets at Brother Jenkins. Running from 2 to 6pm, you’ll find a stack of groovy, thrifted threads and records, with drinks, eats and beats to boot.
Some seaside live music can be found at the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club this afternoon. Local folk singer Talitha Jae will be there slinging tunes from 3 to 6pm. Free event, but it’s worth booking a table!
Northern Pride is battling the Burleigh Bears this Saturday at Barlow Park. This week marks Indigenous Round ahead of NAIDOC Week – all the details here!
Looking for a school holiday activity you’ll enjoy just as much? The Starry Night Cinema is screening Paddington 2 this weekend in the beautiful Cairns Botanic Gardens. 6.30pm start, tickets $20 and under.
Dubbed ‘the World’s Easiest Competition’, Macalister’s Brewing is hosting a spot of Music Bingo with DJ Phil Brandel at the helm. Free entry, great prizes and a food truck on site, the beats drop at 7pm.
Indie rock band and all-round legends Ball Park Music are playing at the Tanks tonight. If you were lucky enough to grab tickets to the sold out show, enjoy!
Sunday 3 July
The Palm Cove Markets are on this morning, offering a huge stretch of 140+ stalls along one of the region’s most idyllic esplanades. 8am to 2pm.
One of the region’s most iconic cycling events returns this weekend. Ride for Isabel, established twelve years ago to raise funds for neonatal babies following the loss of MP Curtis Pitt and his wife’s stillborn daughter, sees cyclists travel through Yarrabah to finish in Gordonvale. The 120km Gran Fondo event kicks off the Tour of the Tropics Cycling Festival, which will be held next weekend. It’s not too late to register for both!
