The festive period will be officially ushered in on Thursday with the lighting-up of the Christmas Tree on the Cairns Esplanade.
Featuring 13,000 LED lights and located on the Lagoon Plaza, the spectacular tree is a popular Christmas focal point, providing many a festive photo opportunity.
This year, the 10-metre tree decorations are complemented by an additional 16,500 lights in the neighbouring raintree on one side, and special jelly fish decorations in the fig tree on the other.
Mayor Bob Manning said the annual lighting up of the Esplanade Christmas Tree marked the start of the festive season in Cairns.
“It’s always a wonderful event that brings out our city’s Christmas spirit,” Cr Manning said.
“There’s nothing like Christmas in the tropics and it’s fitting that we kick off the festive season beside our iconic lagoon.
“Everyone is invited to come along and celebrate this very special time of the year.”
Joining the Mayor to turn on the lights will be winners of a Star FM competition.
Festivities start at 5.30pm and will include live performances by Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band, SwingRay dancers, the June Vale Dancers and St Peters Lutheran College Band.
There will be lots of activities for the children, including face painting, hula hooping, entertainment by DJ Crazy Bron, and Santa’s Mail Centre, where children can write a letter to Santa.
Santa and his elves are also set to make an appearance, before the switching on of the Christmas Tree lights at 7pm.
Road closure: The Esplanade road, from Spence St to Aplin St, will be closed to all traffic on Thursday (1 December) from 3pm until 9pm to allow for the festivities.
