Entertainment
6 April, 2025
Unforgettable memories
THE Cairns Children’s Festival is set to ignite the imaginations of families with an exciting lineup of performances, hands-on activities and creative experiences this May.
Now in its eleventh year, the festival will take place on May 17-18, 2025, offering a weekend of entertainment and artistic exploration across key Cairns venues, including the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), Court House Gallery, Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden is thrilled with the festival’s ongoing success, highlighting its importance in the community. “The festival has grown in popularity and continues to provide a vibrant platform for young creatives, all in a safe and fun environment that encourages family participation,” she said.
The festival’s diverse program is designed to spark curiosity and encourage play while showcasing art, nature and culture in a way that engages all ages. At CPAC on Saturday, families can catch the quirky performance “Garden Party: A Bee Story Adventure,” presented by Arts Circus and Cluster Arts. The show follows the adventures of Queen Bee and Worker Bee in a sticky, fun-filled journey. Also at CPAC, David Walliams’ popular book ‘Ratburger’ comes to life on stage in a performance that promises laughs for kids and adults alike.
At the Court House Gallery, the “Tomorrowland” exhibition will display the incredible artwork of Cairns’ young artists, and attendees can enjoy a relaxed picnic on the lawn with performances from the Pierce Brothers. Other exciting acts include Whistle and Trick, Miriki Dancers, Grace Jones, and Box Jelly Theatre Co.’s Liar Liar Pants on Fire. For a high-energy experience, Box Jelly will also host the Silent Riot Roving Disco throughout the festival.
Saturday night brings the magic of Hogwarts to life with an outdoor screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, encouraging attendees to dress up as their favourite wizarding characters for “A Night at Hogwarts”.
On Sunday, the fun continues at Tanks Arts Centre with LEGO enthusiasts invited to test their building skills at Brickmania. ARIA-nominated Zindzi & The Zillionaires will take the stage in Tank 5, and families can enjoy interactive activities at Creation Stations and Tinkering Tanks, where creativity knows no bounds.
With a mix of performances, exhibitions and hands-on fun, the Cairns Children’s Festival promises to be a weekend full of laughter, learning and unforgettable memories for the whole family.
For the full program and ticket information, visit the Cairns Children’s Festival website.
