Cairns Christmas Tree Light-Up
Visitors gather at the plaza to celebrate the official lighting of the decorated Christmas tree and welcome the festive season. Entertainment includes live stage performances of The Greatest Gift alongside character meet and greets with Dusty the Christmas Beetle and Friends. Attendees can also take part in hands-on Christmas arts and crafts activities.
Sun, Nov 29, 2026 All ages
See more Christmas events near Cairns
Plan Your Visit
Hours
4:45pm Events Starts; 5:00pm Meet and Greet; 5:15pm Christmas Arts and Crafts; 5:30pm Second Performance; 5:45pm Meet and greet; 6:00pm Christmas Arts and Crafts; 6:15pm Third Performance; 6:30pm Meet and great; 6:45pm Christmas Arts and Crafts; 7:00pm Christmas Tree Light-Up; 8:00pm Events Finishes.
Neighborhood
Cairns Esplanade
Parking
The Esplanade between Spence Street and Shields Street is closed to all traffic during the festivities.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Check Cairns Regional Council’s Facebook page before travelling, because cancellations may be announced there at short notice and the event page may not be updated.
- Allow extra time to reach the Lagoon Plaza: The Esplanade between Spence and Shields streets closes to all traffic, with closure times still unconfirmed.
- Choose a performance or meet-and-greet session from the schedule; The Greatest Gift and character sessions are offered several times.
- Plan a break for Christmas arts and crafts, which appear at three points in the event schedule.
- Dress for an outdoor gathering and check the forecast, since unfavourable or unsafe weather may prompt short-notice cancellation.
Links & Contact
Run by Cairns Regional Council
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there for kids before the tree is lit?
Dusty the Christmas Beetle and Friends put on their show, The Greatest Gift, three times. Each show is followed by a meet and greet and a Christmas arts and crafts session.
What if I miss the first show?
The Greatest Gift is performed three times through the evening, so you can catch a later one.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The event can be cancelled at short notice in unfavourable or unsafe weather. Council posts updates on its Facebook page. The event web page isn't updated for last-minute cancellations.
Are any roads closed?
Yes. The Esplanade between Spence Street and Shields Street is closed to all traffic during the festivities. The closure times are still to be confirmed.
Browse Christmas in Cairns
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.