‘Buzz in the air’: What to expect at Cairns Festival 2025

From float parades and DJ sessions to art exhibits and light show spectaculars, see the jam-packed line-up of events at Cairns Festival starting this weekend.

The Cairns Festival begins this week, with local bands taking to the festival main stage on the Esplanade. Zane Stradling and Matt Gerdes of El Moth will play the Cairns Festival main stage on Friday, August 31, while Sam Clark, performing as Kaweyova, will close the festival on September 7. Picture: Brendan Radke

Entertainment ranging from float parades and DJ sessions to art exhibits and light show spectaculars will kick off the Cairns Festival this weekend.

The festival will feature live music from a mix of local talent and national favourites, as well as visual art exhibitions and performances from Friday, August 29 to Sunday, September 7.
Australian jazz and funk band The Cat Empire will take the stage at Munro Martin Parklands on Sunday, August 31.

The Cat Empire lead singer Felix Reibl said he was excited to perform in Cairns again.

The Cairns Festival begins this week, with local bands taking to the festival main stage on the Esplanade. Matt Gerdes and Zane Stradling of El Moth will play the Cairns Festival main stage on Friday, August 31, while Sam Clark, performing as Kaweyova, will close the festival on September 7. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’re bringing fans a bit of the unique sound (from the new album) and our classic Cat Empire material,” Reibl said.

Headlining the festival launch night on Friday, electronic outfit Groove Terminator will hit the stage with the Soul Song Choir.

Groove Terminator’s Simon Lewicki said he was “stoked” to be part of the event.

“Kicking off a festival is always special. There is a real buzz in the air and Cairns Festival has this great local vibe to it,” Lewicki said.

“People can expect to move, feel and hopefully walk away buzzing. I want them to walk away feeling like they were part of something, not just watching a show, but right there in it with us.”

Matt Gerdes and Zane Stradling of El Moth will play the Cairns Festival main stage on Friday, August 31, while Sam Clark, performing as Kaweyova, will close the festival on September 7. Picture: Brendan Radke

Additional gigs will also pop up across the city as part of the festival’s live music trail, along with activations at other key sites at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Elixir Music House, Ellis Beach Bar & Grill, Salt House, Narrow Tracks Distillery, Crate59 and Tanks Arts Centre.

The trail will be a week-long series of gigs across local venues and events include a tropical pool party, inlet cruises, live vinyl sessions and an afternoon of jazz, classical and lounge music at Pullman Cairns International.

A selection of events throughout the festival and the live music trail will be free, while some are ticketed.

For more information and the full program, visit cairnsfest.com.au.

Originally published as ‘Buzz in the air’: What to expect at Cairns Festival 2025