Entertainment
13 February, 2026
Port’s hot and steamy
PORT Douglas is set to turn ‘rainbow’ today as Heatwave Festival 2026 invites locals and visitors to escape the ordinary and step into three days of pride, performance and paradise.
Running from February 13 to 15, the festival is a bold, joyful celebration of LGBTQIA+ visibility, diversity and connection, set against the lush backdrop of Port Douglas.
More than just a party, the weekend is a vital community-led initiative designed to drive tourism, support local industry and inject life into one of the region’s traditionally quietest months.
“Heatwave isn’t just about celebration, it’s about sustainability,” said festival director Andrew Dalbertson.
“We’ve seen first-hand how events like this keep doors open, staff employed and the local economy moving during a traditionally quieter time of year. We are here to support that momentum,” he said.
The organisers believe Heatwave has become a rainbow holiday in the tropics where beach days meet dance floors, glamour meets sunshine and self-expression is not just encouraged, it’s celebrated.
In a region where large-scale LGBTQIA+ events are rare, this festival plays an important role in creating safe, visible and celebratory spaces for the community, while also signalling that Far North Queensland is a destination where diversity belongs.
“Events like Heatwave remind people that queer joy isn’t just for the big cities,” said drag icon Penny Tration, who headlines the festival in 2026.
“Being fabulous in the tropics, surrounded by community, music and sunshine – that’s powerful. It tells people they’re welcome exactly as they are.”
The 2026 program brings together world-class DJs, drag royalty and high-energy events, designed to turn Port Douglas into a full-scale festival playground.
Headline performers include internationally renowned DJs Dan Murphy, Hayley Maree and Kate Monroe, alongside beloved Australian drag superstars Penny Tration and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under favourite Coco Jumbo, delivering glamour, charisma and show-stopping performances all weekend long.
Throughout the weekend, roaming drag performances will pop up in favourite local breakfast venues, surprising festival goers with moments of camp and connection, while the Valentine’s Day long lunch at Harrisons Restaurant at the Sheraton Grand Mirage (12pm-3pm) offers a cool, indulgent escape complete with drag shows, music and maximum flair.
Local and early bird tickets are selling fast, with strictly limited allocations available.
Visit www.bit.ly/3MgmxtG
