A street party along the Esplanade, live music and theatre, immersive light shows and an aerobatic aircraft display, fireworks and the city’s biggest market day – it’s all part of .
Cairns Festival officially gets underway on Friday (25 August) – headlined by , the return of , and live entertainment at Festival HQ on the Court House Gallery lawn.
The opening weekend sets the scene for one of the most exciting festivals yet, with the on Saturday getting underway at 5.30pm, followed by the from 7.30pm.
The Grand Parade will start at Fogarty Park, head along the Esplanade and finish at Minnie St.
“The Grand Parade is always a great event,” Mayor Bob Manning said.
“Thousands of residents always turn out and line the street to cheer on the local community groups, businesses and schools that have gone to tremendous effort to create their unique floats.”
People attending the Grand Parade will notice a new blue line painted along the street, which has been put in place to keep everyone safe.
“It marks the place to sit or stand behind, ensuring safety for eager spectators and defines the space for parade performers to do what they do best,” Cr Manning said.
The Cairns Festival 2023 program features an array of headline acts, including , the , and lots of local talent playing at the Esplanade Main Stage and Festival HQ Stage.
There are art exhibitions, comedy and theatre shows, and moving cultural performances, like and Gulgi-barra (Sand Stories) by Miriki Performing Arts down by the Esplanade Lagoon.
Other highlights include the every evening of the festival, an on Saturday afternoon (between 4.30pm and 5.30pm depending on air traffic), while will bring the festivities to a close on 3 September.
Cairns Festival 2023 runs from Friday 25 August to Sunday 3 September, with an array of free and ticketed events at a range of locations across the Cairns region.
Visit for event details.
Blue Line Brigade keeping people safe
Festival goers attending the Grand Parade are reminded to stay behind the painted blue line during the event.
First trialled at the 2016 Cairns Festival, the Blue Honour Line system is used by Council to enhance safety, while ensuring those attending can still enjoy the full parade experience.
Originating at the Adelaide Christmas Pageant in 1958, a blue line was painted down to mark where people should sit and stand to watch the pageant.
It was named the Blue Honour Lineto encourage everyone to honour and respect the pageant, for the safety of everyone attending.
A thin blue line has been taped on each side of the Esplanade along the parade route every year since 2016, creating a boundary between the audience and the parade floats.
The Blue Honour Line is reinforced with support from the officers of the ‘Friendly Enforcement Brigade’, a group of roving performers who make up the ‘True Blue Line Brigade’.
Road Closures associated with Cairns Festival 2023
Friday 25 August
Shields St, Esplanade to Aplin St, from 4pm on Friday 25 August until 3pm on Saturday 26 August. Traffic control on site from 5am on Saturday to allow for commercial vehicle access only.
Saturday 26 August
Lake St, from Minnie St to Florence St: 5am-10pm no parking from 5am road closed at 4pm
Minnie St, from Lake St to the Esplanade: 2pm-10pm
Cairns Esplanade, from Minnie St to Spence St: 5am-10pm
Pier Point Rd, half road closure, no access to bus stops: 5am-10pm
The Pier Car Park, western section only: 5am-10pm
Carnival on Collins (Edge Hill) – Sunday 3 September
Part Collins Ave, between McLean St and Mayers St: 5am-6pm
McCormack St, between Collins Ave and Walsh St: 5am-6pm
Goodwin St, between McCormack St and Macdonnel St: 5am-6pm
Walsh St, between McCormack St and Macdonnel St: 5am-6pm
Friend St, between Collins Ave and Walsh St: 5am-6pm
