From carols to New Year’s Eve fireworks, Cairns events for all the family

From singing carols to riding a bike to see the Cairns Christmas lights, donating a gift and loads of fireworks, there’s a huge range of family-friendly activities to enjoy this festive season.

Christmas in the Cairns region offers loads of family-friendly events from carols to festive season craft markets, a bike ride to view the decorative lights and raise funds for charity, and even snapping a photo with Santa, as well as lots of opportunities to share the festive season with our most vulnerable.

Here’s a few of the events happening in and around the 4870 postcode – and if you think there’s one that we should include, please get in touch!

Email [e-mail] to get your event in the guide.

December 8

Christmas Lights on the Move – Cairns CBD

Meet at Fogarty Park 5pm to register for the bike ride.

Cairns locals are invited to ride, scoot, skate or walk through the best Christmas lights in Cairns to show their support for sick kids.

Participants are encouraged to scoot, skate, walk or stroll the 6km Esplanade Loop (perfect for those with young children) or ride the traditional 16km Christmas Lights Tour, which will take in all the sights and sparkles of the Cairns Christmas spirit.

The event supports the more than 700 families in the Cairns region who rely on the practical care programs provided by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia every year.

Members of the She Spoke Cairns women's cycling group will be helping out at the 2022 Christmas Lights on the Move event on December 8 which takes in some of the best festive season lighting and decor around town. Picture: Supplied

The night will start from 5pm at Fogarty Park and include a sausage sizzle, live Christmas music and a special visit from Santa himself.

Tickets for the Explore Property Christmas Lights on the Move event can be purchased online at rmhcna.org.au.

Online pre-purchases are highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the Explore Property Christmas Lights on the Move event, head.

December 9

Port Douglas Country Women’s Association Chrsitmas Sale

8 Blake St, Port Douglas, from 1pm to 5pm

Come on down to the Port Douglas CWA Christmas sale.

Baked goodies, jams and chutneys, Christmas sewing of bags, doggies bow ties, kitchen wares, knitted and crocheted items.

On December 9, 22 the Port Douglas CWA Christmas will hold their sale featuring baked goodies, jams and chutneys, Christmas sewing of bags, doggies bow ties, kitchen wares, knitted and crocheted items. Picture: Supplied

December 10

Herberton Twilight Christmas Markets

1pm – 7pm

Unique and beautiful gift ideas from 34 street stalls and 25 in the Town Hall.

December 11

Carols in the Park – Munro Martin Parklands

5pm at 123 Sheridan St, Cairns City

This year’s event will embody a “Tropical Sparkle” theme, featuring a wide variety of local artists live on stage, with additional screens around the park.

Make it a family picnic, BYO blanket and chairs.

Note: this event may be cancelled at short notice in the event of unfavourable or unsafe weather conditions.

Please refer to Council’s Facebook page for status changes; this web page is not updated for cancellations at short notice.

This is an alcohol-free event, no alcohol will be sold or permitted to be brought into the venues.

Christmas Markets – Mt Sheridan Plaza

106 Barnard Drive, Mt Sheridan, Queensland

The Mt Sheridan Plaza’s Christmas Community Markets will feature 30+ stalls for unique locally made, grown and produced items all under one roof.

December 17

Clifton Beach Markets - Clifton Village Shopping Centre

17th December 9am-2pm

These popular markets featuring over 40 stalls are held in airconditioned comfort on the Captain Cook Hwy, Clifton Beach.

There’s plenty of family-friendly events in the Cairns region to enjoy this Christmas. Picture: Supplied.

December 18

Christmas Markets – Mt Sheridan Plaza

106 Barnard Drive, Mt Sheridan, Queensland

The Mt Sheridan Plaza’s Christmas Community Markets will feature 30+ stalls for unique locally made, grown and produced items all under one roof.

The Pier Markets – The Pier Shopping Centre

Pick up locally-made gifts at the Pier Markets at the Esplanade.

9am-2pm

Throughout December

Wishing Tree Appeal

The Carey Group are inviting people to drop off wrapped children's gifts under the tree at their Westcourt or Malanda offices which they will pass on to the Women’s Centre FNQ as part of their donations to assist vulnerable families in the region.

Each year, Womens Centre FNQ host a Christmas Party for he families they assist.

The Carey Group offices are located at 188 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt and at 17 Catherine St, Malanda.

For all inquiries please contact Carey Group on 07 4760 5900.

At the launch of the he Carey Group Wishing Tree Appeal were L-R back row - Robert Carey, Brittany Faulkner, Maddy Mawle, Ruth Massey, Greg Stanton and Nicole Dye. with Sarah Downing, Sonja Arnold and Britney Anastasi in front. Picture: Alison Paterson

PCYC Cairns

PCYC Cairns, 91 Macnamara St, Manunda

In collaboration with Harbrow Mentoring, PCYC Cairns are delivering free December and January School Holiday activities targeting young people aged 12-17yrs.

Activities are held at the PCYC Basketball Court on Tuesdays and Thursday 4pm to 6pm.

Week 1: 13th & 15th December

Week 2: 20th & 22nd December

Week 3: 3rd & 5th January

Week 4: 10th & 12th January

Week 5: 17th & 19th January

Activities: Basketball, Traditional Indigenous Games, Futsal and Volleyball.

The Tablelands is ready for the festive season after Tablelands Regional Counci’s Christmas Lights Competition received 35 entries which are lighting up the streets. Pictures: Supplied

Tablelands Christmas Lights Trail

The Tablelands is ready for the festive season after Tablelands Regional Council’s Christmas Lights Competition received 35 entries.

Mayor Rod Marti is encouraging residents to get out across the region and see the nominated houses and streets by following the Tablelands Christmas Lights Trail.

“For the first time we’re also running a People’s Choice award for nominated homes,” he said.

“Vote for your favourite residence between 4pm Monday 12 and 4pm Wednesday 14 December.

Street

Main Street, Atherton

Ellwood Close, Atherton

Main Street, Millaa Millaa

Filippo Close, Tolga

Rankine Drive, Tolga

Oleander Drive, Yungaburra

Atherton

5 McKenzie Close

27 Canopus Circuit

2/40 Tumbare Street

8533 Kennedy Highway

33 Paine Street

17 Nerboni Close

3 Danbulla Crescent

2 Fourth Avenue

35 Mountain View Drive

5 Ellwood Close

Herberton

19 Holdcroft Drive

Kairi

33 Irvine Street

Malanda

7 Burton Close

33 Topaz Road

Millaa Millaa

8 Main Street

Mount Garnet

69 Garnet Street

Ravenshoe

18 John Street

53 John Street

16 Rogers Street

380 Millstream Parade

Tolga

1 Karlindon Close

7 George Street

39 Filippo Close

46 Filippo Close

33 Rankine Drive

79 Rankine Drive

Yungaburra

38 Oleander Drive

40 Oleander Drive

3 Wattle Close

Fireworks will light up the sky on New Year's Eve over the Cairns Esplanade lagoon as well as at Edmonton, Palm Cove and Port Douglas. Picture: Brendan Radke

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Cairns

Say goodbye to the year that was with a good old fashioned dose of fireworks.

This year there will be two displays – a family-friendly show at 8.30pm and a second show at midnight.

There will also be a screening of the family movie “DC League of Super Pets” at 6.30pm.

Pack a picnic and find a spot along the Esplanade lawns, or take the stress off your shoulders and support local businesses by booking dinner at one of the many restaurants in the CBD.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Edmonton

If you live on the south side, there will also be family fireworks at 8.30pm at Walter Road Sporting Precinct in Edmonton, as well as a screening of the family movie “DC League of Super Pets” at 6.30pm.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Palm Cove

Palm Cove will have their own firework display at Palm Cove Jetty at 8.30pm.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Port Douglas

5.30pm, Dickson Inlet

Free family entertainment including kid’s disco, food trucks, UV glow lighting and face painting.

Fireworks at 8pm and midnight.

All event details are supplied.

Have a festive season event? Contact us at [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Originally published as From carols to New Year’s Eve fireworks, Cairns events for all the family