Entertainment
26 September, 2026
A party to remember
CAIRNS has celebrated its 150th anniversary with a bang on the Cairns Esplanade, featuring fireworks, entertainment and fundraising for the Mayor’s Christmas Charity.
The Cairns 150 years ball and community fireworks spectacular last Saturday night marked three milestones – 150 years of Cairns, 100 years of Underwood Party Hire and 30 years of the Mayor’s Christmas Charity.
Thousands of dollars were raised for the Mayor’s Christmas Charity, which supports local families and seniors at Christmas.
The night culminated in an expanded fireworks display by Xplosive Art Fireworks, with five barges lighting up the Cairns waterfront.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the city’s New Year’s Eve fireworks were normally launched from two barges.
“It was incredible to see the Esplanade foreshore packed with people and families who came down to share in the celebration,” she said.
“It looked beautiful, felt incredibly special and was a celebration worthy of such a significant milestone for our city.”
The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Governor of Queensland, senators Nita Green and Susan McDonald, MPs Michael Healy and Terry James, fellow councillors and business and community leaders.
Representatives of Xplosive Art Fireworks also thanked the community for attending and Underwood Party Hire for helping to make the display possible.
“It was incredible to see so many people gathered along the Esplanade, celebrating this major milestone and watching Cairns light up the sky,” a spokesperson for Xplosive Art Fireworks said.
The celebration is part of Cairns’ 150th anniversary, bringing the community together and raising funds for local families and seniors through the Mayor’s Christmas Charity.
