Cairns Christmas: Lagoon tree set for Christmas light-up event

Forget reindeers and snow, it’s the festive season in the tropics and Santa’s little helpers have been hard at work installing a mega 10m Christmas tree at the Cairns Lagoon.

Forget reindeers and snow, it’s the festive season in the tropics and Santa’s little helpers have been hard at work installing a mega 10m Christmas tree at the Cairns Lagoon.

Tropical butterflies, dragonflies and flowers feature amid an array of over-size baubles and 8000 shining LED lights to be turned on come December 1.

The Cairns Regional Council has topped out the Christmas tree at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, ready to turn the lights on on December 1. Kelsey Percheson works near the lagoon and is excited to see the tree, which is decorated with dragonflies and butterflies, light up for the first time. Picture: Brendan Radke

Usually enjoying a white festive season, Canadian mental health worker Kelsey Percheson said she loved that Cairns Regional Council had embraced a tropical Christmas.

“I absolutely love it,” she said.

“In Canada, you might like see snow and more glitter kind of stuff, but I liked that with this tree you’re appreciating the tropics, but it also has that Christmassy feel to it.”

On December 1 from 5.30pm the Queensland Youth Orchestras Big Band will take to the stage before DJ Crazy Bron at 6pm and Santa arrives with his elves and the June Vale Dancers at 6pm.

Christmas tree lights will be turned on a 7pm to music performed by the St Peters Lutheran College Concert Band.

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Originally published as Cairns Christmas: Lagoon tree set for Christmas light-up event