The paperwork is in place, construction has finished and it's now official.

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre will open as planned on December 15 after Cairns Regional Council received the Certificate of Completion, a formal notice issued by a building certifier confirming all elements of the building are approved and ready for use.

The building's finishing touches such as fit-out, lighting and audio arrangements will be completed over the next few weeks.

Mayor Bob Manning today said the council was finalising preparations for the opening night celebration, which will include a performance by jazz legend James Morrison alongside TropicNow's foodie festival Meet Eat Repeat on Florence St, which is being closed to traffic for the first time.

Cr Manning also said council will conduct an "internal debrief" to ensure all elements of the project were "managed appropriately".

“Right now, we’re in the process of getting things perfect for opening night,” Cr Manning said. “A lot of work goes into getting the lighting arrangement and sound balance just right and making sure all the little details are in place. 

“The last of the fixtures and furnishings are going in – we’re really on the home stretch now.”

Cr Manning said QFES found all building materials were compliant with fire safety requirements, pending some additional works.

Council will need to install additional smoke detectors and sprinklers inside wall cavities and create extra fire breaks in the existing fire-resistant external cladding, consisting of vertical strips of specified non-combustible cladding and insulation installed on the sides of the building.

Jazz Under the Jade Vines featuring James Morrison and Meet Eat Repeat on Florence will start at 4pm on Saturday December 15, a free event open to all without the need to book tickets.

The vendor line-up for Meet Eat Repeat on Florence will be announced over coming weeks.

Let us know you're coming to Meet Eat Repeat on Florence by clicking here