Entertainment
13 September, 2026
Cairns Festival wraps up
ALMOST 20,000 people turned out for Carnival on Collins as the 64th Cairns Festival wrapped up with a program featuring live music, art, markets and performances.
The annual Father’s Day finale transformed Collins Avenue, the Tanks Arts Centre and the Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct on 6 September, with more than 200 market stalls, local food, roving performers and interactive activities.
At Cairns Botanic Gardens, CYCAS Circus introduced festival-goers to juggling, plate spinning and stilt walking, while Rosie Omudsen led basket-weaving workshops and Marian Wolfs hosted watercolour painting sessions.
ARIA award winner Casey Barnes took to the Tanks stage on Friday night.
“It’s always so good to be back in Cairns. We’ve played up here many times over the years and it’s genuinely one of my favourite places to perform,” she said. “I’ve got so many great memories of Cairns, both playing shows and bringing my family up here for holidays, so it’s always a special place to come back to. “The crowd on Friday night was incredible and Tanks is such a unique venue with an amazing atmosphere.”
