Festivals and Celebrations
Through dance, music, art and reenactment, or whatever way possible, residents of Cape York Peninsula love to celebrate their history, culture and unique lifestyle.
Find out what's happening where and when with our Events Calendar but use these pages for further information.
When |
Event |
More Information |
| July | NAIDOC Week |
Celebrations are held around Australia in the first full week in July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has become the name of the week itself. The week is celebrated not just in the indigenous community, but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces. |
| July | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday Coming of the Light | |
| July | St James Day – Lockhart River | |
| August | Cooktown Art Festival | |
| June |
Cooktown Discovery Festival |
The Cooktown Discovery Festival is held annually on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June and features the re-enactment of Cook's landing in 1770 and his first meeting with Aboriginal people. |
| June |
Laura Festival |
The Laura Festival is a gathering of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people held every two years at the Ang-gnarra Festival Ground near Laura, 300 kilometres north of Cairns. Performers and artists from over 25 Cape York and Gulf Aboriginal communities travel to Laura to perform traditional dance, music and song and to display traditional arts and crafts. |
| September | Wallaby Creek Folk Festival |
Three days of music and festivity in the north Queensland rainforest The festival is located at Home Rule Rainforest Lodge at Rossville, Far North Queensland, north of Cairns and just south of Cooktown. |
| August | Mareeba Multicultural Festival | |
| October | Walkamin Country Music Festival |