CONNECT: MADE BY CAIRNS, FOR CAIRNS

Cairns Talent Takes The Main Stage

From rehearsal room to Main Stage, The Next Wave puts Cairns' emerging original musicians exactly where they belong: in the spotlight. Presented by Enter Stage Right, this artist development initiative gives the next generation of local performers the chance to build their sound, sharpen their skills and take over the Esplanade on the Festival's final night. Expect fresh voices, original music and plenty of proud local energy as rising artists step up in front of a Cairns crowd. Lineup has just announced:

YINDALI SHARP
Blooming from the Atherton Tablelands, Yindali Sharp is a singer-songwriter whose heartfelt folk-pop songs reflect the journey of youth with honesty, resilience and warmth. Her captivating melodies and thoughtful lyrics are sure to charm your ears and soothe your soul.

AURELLE
Far North Queensland singer-songwriter Aurelle delivers an energetic blend of heartfelt original music. Her songs tell relatable stories drawn from personal experience, earning recognition with four released singles, including Magpie, which reached No. 4 on the AMRAP charts, and Stumbling, which climbed to No. 3.

Her debut seven-track EP, produced by Golden Guitar winner Michael Moko (Brisbane) and Nigel Pegrum (Cairns), is due for release in August and features the talents of a range of Far North Queensland musicians.

Known for her engaging stage presence, Aurelle creates an interactive live experience that gets audiences dancing, singing along and sharing in the positive energy of her upbeat performances.

MC PYRIT
MC Pyrit is an Australian hip-hop artist specialising in boom bap. Renowned for his compelling storytelling, intricate rhyme schemes and high-energy performances, he delivers authentic hip-hop with skill, passion and a commanding stage presence.

MAPLE STREET
United by a shared love of music and good times, Maple Street is a local three-piece band known for catchy original songs, energetic performances and plenty of laughs. Having performed at venues and events across the local music scene, they've earned a reputation for genuine, feel-good live shows. With a growing catalogue of original music and a passion for connecting with audiences, Maple Street creates memorable performances that leave crowds smiling long after the final song.

Then Miss Tee Ketu Band takes over to carry the celebration through to the finish. Local talent. Big stage. One memorable finale.

When: Sunday 6 September. From 6.30pm
Where: Cairns Festival Main Stage, Cairns Esplanade, Western Lawn
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Meet The Makers At Tanks Twilight Markets

Tanks Twilight Markets Cairns Festival Edition brings local creativity into one big after-dark playground. Across the Tanks precinct, artists, makers, food vendors, performers, musicians and creative collectives turn the night into a mix of market, art party and gloriously unpredictable community gathering. Browse local work, meet the person who made it, grab something delicious and discover what happens when Cairns creatives are given an entire precinct and permission to make it interesting. Between Catch of the Day!, Off The Wall Art Sale, Eat Street, live entertainment, DJs, bars, mini golf and market madness, this is local talent in full festival mode. Come for a look. Connect with the creators. Leave carrying at least one thing you did not plan to buy.

When: Friday 28 August. 5pm to 10pm
Where: Tanks Arts Centre
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Cairns Shows Up For The Grand Parade

The Grand Parade is where Cairns turns up for itself. Community groups, schools, performers, sporting clubs, cultural organisations, businesses and local characters come together to create one of the Festival's biggest shared moments. In 2026, the iconic Fun in the Sun parade also celebrates Cairns' 150 years, bringing local stories, reef and rainforest energy, sun-soaked nostalgia and plenty of community pride onto the Esplanade. Someone in the crowd will know someone marching. Someone marching will spot someone they know. There will be waving. There will be cheering. There will almost certainly be one person taking their role extremely seriously. That is exactly how it should be.

When: Saturday 29 August. 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Where: Esplanade Lagoon Precinct
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Connect At Carnival On Collins

Carnival on Collins closes Cairns Festival with the kind of community connection day Cairns does best. Collins Avenue becomes a leafy street party filled with more than 200 market stalls, local food, live music, performers, community groups and familiar faces appearing approximately every three minutes. Wander under the canopy of the Botanic Gardens precinct, support local makers, catch live entertainment and follow the smell of something sizzling. Bring the kids. Bring Dad. Bring the grandparents. Bring the friend who says they are "just coming for a quick look" and is still there three hours later carrying a plant, a snack and a handmade bowl.

When: Sunday 6 September | 9am to 2pm
Where: Collins Avenue, Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct
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Cairns Festival may fill the program, light the stage and line the streets, but it is the people of Cairns who make it feel alive. That is the heart of CONNECT. It is the local artist setting up a stall. The performer waiting in the wings. The family waving from the parade route. The cultural voices carrying stories forward. The volunteers, organisers, makers, musicians, community groups and familiar faces who turn a city event into something that belongs to everyone.

Cairns Festival 2026 is calling. Show up. Cheer loudly. Support local. Say hello to someone you know and someone you do not.

The Fun Doesn't Stop Here

Cairns Fest isn't here for a long time, but it's here for a good time! Here's some more inspo to help you make the most of the 10 days.