It kicks off a weekend of activities as the city welcomes December and with it, the festive season.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning says concerts will be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the Shield Street mall.

“There will be live music from a range of local groups and musicians, celebrating Cairns’ diversity,” he said.

“Plus, you can bring the kids to post their letters to Santa at the special Beach Shack mailbox.

“It provides the perfect excuse to head into the city centre for a bit of Christmas shopping.”

More concerts will be held next weekend in the heart of the city centre, which has been transformed for Christmas with tropical-themed decorations.

The specially-made ornaments have been designed by talented local art students and Councillor Manning says there is a focus on the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest.

“A few months ago, we invited students to produce a design concept based on the theme ‘A tropical Christmas’.”

“The result has been spectacular and we have some wonderfully unique decorations that really do reflect what we love about Cairns,” he said.

The decorations include garlands of fish, illuminated jellyfish, nesting pelicans atop light poles and a face cut-out cassowary to provide an interactive photo opportunity.

They’re all made from predominantly recycled or re-purposed materials.