Entertainment
5 June, 2026
Em’s addicted to love
CAIRNS Festival has announced the first ticketed events in its 2026 program, with comedian Em Rusciano and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra leading the initial line-up.
The first release includes Rusciano’s first Cairns performance ‘Addicted To Love’ and ‘Symphony Under the Stars’ by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Also announced are country-rock performer Casey Barnes, Opera Queensland’s ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, interactive comedy production ‘One Hour Wedding’, contemporary theatre work ‘ARCO’ and cabaret show ‘Dirty Fame Flash Candles Club’.
The program spans comedy, music, theatre, cabaret and opera across the festival’s major venues.
Ms Rusciano will make her Cairns debut with Addicted To Love, a show combining comedy, music and storytelling.
“Cairns, I am so ready for you. Addicted To Love is a wake-up show about rebuilding yourself after life has blown the doors off,” she said.
“There’ll be jokes, chaos, unhinged musical numbers and a few very bad decisions,” Ms Rusciano said.
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra will perform at Munro Martin Parklands as part of Symphony Under the Stars, one of the highlights of the festival’s first ticket release.
Cairns Regional Council executive manager Karen Le Roy said the announcement marked an exciting start to this year’s festival.
“All our performance hubs will be activated across Cairns, with a program that fills Tanks Arts Centre, Munro Martin Parklands, the Cairns Esplanade and the Cairns Performing Arts Centre,” Ms Le Roy said.
“I can’t wait for this year’s Cairns Festival, which is one of my favourite events on the calendar. There is something special about seeing everyone come out to enjoy the great weather, free entertainment and ticketed events right across the city.”
Country music fans will be able to see Casey Barnes, while Opera Queensland’s Are You Lonesome Tonight will combine opera, country music and storytelling in an Australian production.
Audience participation will play a key role in One Hour Wedding, with patrons helping shape the comedy performance. ARCO and Dirty Fame Flash Candles Club complete a line-up covering theatre, cabaret and contemporary performance.
Organisers said the first ticket release is only the beginning, with further details on Cairns Esplanade activations, Carnival on Collins, the Grand Parade, fireworks, family experiences and free arts and cultural events still to be announced.
Cairns Festival will run from 28 August to 6 September 2026, with tickets for all first-release events now on sale: www.bit.ly/4u8fvXC
