Cairns Festival shines in 2025 with more than 144,000 attendees and major economic gains

Aerial view of the Grand Parade, which drew more than 30,000 spectators.

  • 144,000-plus attendees and strong economic returns, confirming the festival’s major cultural and financial impact.
  • Huge crowds at key events like the Grand Parade, Canvas of Cairns, and Carnival on Collins.
  • Strong community ownership and cultural identity, with high local participation and rich First Nations storytelling.
  • /Public Release. View in full here.