Tropic Weekender: Our guide to the best events and things to do in Cairns
Variety is the spice of life, and we have it. As we cling on to those holiday vibes with a short week, read on for a wacky and wonderful and eclectic range of all sorts of events.
From food and music to theatre and comedy, get amongst and hope the weather puts a stunner on for us all.
Wednesday 25 January
The German Club is kicking off their series of free Enzian Kids Dancing classes. Suitable for those aged 5 - 15, it's an opportunity to learn traditional Bavarian dances from Alpine Germany. Dancers go on to perform at other German Club events and functions.
Presented by the Cairns Choral Society, Monty Python's SPAMALOT continues its run until 28 January. A musical comedy adaptation of the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest to find the Holy Grail.
The John Fogerty Show, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band, is performing at the Edge Hill Tavern tonight as part of their Fortunate Son Tour. Led by world-class lead singer Andre Lemberg, the band will perform hits from both CCR and John Fogerty's solo career. The tour will also feature a special opening performance by Oz ZZ TOP, grab your tickets.
Celebrations continue for Lunar New Year at Pullman Cairns with an 8-course feast curated by Chef Icey Liao and the culinary team. Available until 27th January for lunch and dinner, and served with premium JING tea sourced from around the world. Bookings are required.
Thursday 26 January
Celebrate Australia Day at the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron with a free family-friendly event with roving kids entertainers, Indigenous dance show, sailing activities, raffles and prizes, sausage sizzles, a jumping castle, DJs by Electric Dreams and food by Hook and Sail Catering.
The Cairns Council is hosting a range of free community events this Australia Day. Babinda Creek Rotary Park will host a BBQ breakfast, entertainment and activities from 8am - 11am. Tobruk Pool and Smithfield Marlin Coast Swimming & Fitness centre will also host events starting at 9am - midday, including food, face painting, pool games and DJ entertainment
Join Pools In Paradise for a pool party with games, live music, tropical drinks, swimwear runway show, optional body comp, and BBQ supporting local animal rescue. Don't forget to bring a towel, togs, and thongs.
Celebrate at Cazalys with live entertainment, Aussie lunch specials, meat raffles, face painting, games, prizes for the largest tropical shirt, prize wheel, and cricket on big screens.
Mossman Pool is hosting a free community event featuring an inflatable obstacle course, sausage sizzle, lamingtons, live entertainment, and other free activities beginning at 7.30am. This will be followed by a Citizenship Ceremony and the 2023 Australia Day Awards at the Port Douglas Community Hall.
Gilligan's is hosting an Oz Day Inflatable Pool Party beginning at 11am and no doubt running well into the night with DJ's on deck.
Friday 27 January
JUTE Theatre is hosting a creative development showcase for local playwright, Dennis McIntosh’s new work, Who Took the Fall, inspired by Melbourne’s catastrophic West Gate Bridge collapse in 1970. The play explores the contrast between middle-class relationships at work with working class ones while capturing the resilience and endurance of ordinary people who had been victims of a tragedy.
The Jazz Sanctuary, hidden inside Pistacchi Restaurant, is launching for another season with one of Australia's premier trumpet players Warwick Alder. The Warwick Alder Quintet is a jazz ensemble led by drummer Warwick Alder, playing a mix of standards and original compositions in hard bop and post-bop styles. They have released albums and performed at festivals and venues worldwide.
It's the opening night of FNQ artist Tim Ellis's new multi-media exhibition at the Tanks Arts Centre. He addresses themes of masculinity and identity of the regional male from a male perspective. Find out more about his and other exhibitions in Cairns.
Saturday 28 January
The Yoga School is hosting a Gong and Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation Session led by Renee. Renee will be playing a variety of gongs and bowls, including the Paiste Sound Creation Earth Gong, Paiste Moon Gong, the Atlantis Gong, Chinese Wind Gong and a range of Tibetan Singing Bowls. Bookings are essential.
The Yungaburra Markets are back selling handmade crafts, locally grown produce, and other goodies. Proving popular for tourists and locals alike, there's often live music and good food, and it makes for a perfect excuse to start the day early.
Don't miss the NBL game between Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets, an exciting matchup between two talented teams. Get your tickets now! You can also catch a game on Monday 30 January against the Adelaide 36ers.
This year as part of Chinese New Year Celebrations, the Cairns and District Chinese Association will celebrate with a traditional Chinese Banquet at the Treasure Court Seafood Restaurant. Open to members and non-members, book your tickets to experience the feast.
An annual event in the radiosphere, Triple J's Hottest 100 is back for 2022. Whether you voted or not, it's always easy listening and reminiscing to the big hits from a year ago. Voting is now closed but it has been predicted that the top three contenders are Gang Of Youths with 'In The Wake Of Your Leave', Ball Park Music with 'Stars In My Eyes', and Spacey Jane with 'Hardlight'.
Sunday 29 January
The RSPCA is hosting a charity fundraising event Paint your Pet with the help of Painting Party. A percentage of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the local RSPCA, as well as 100 percent of raffle proceeds. There will also be a range of prizes up for grabs including pet boarding vouchers, pet photography, and more painting party opportunities.
Head up to O'Donnell's in Palm Cove and catch Jazz Escape by the Sea. Kicking off from 3.30pm, this weekly free event with a jazz trio provides all that you'd want to wind down the weekend.
A laugh on a Sunday can't hurt - catch Hayden Douglas putting on a comedy and musical performance Music, Murder & Mayhem. The show features Douglas sharing personal stories about turning in a friend for murder, mental health issues, and rehab experiences, as well as new songs and jokes. Show starts 3:00pm at Three Wolves, with support from Joe Waddington.
