A total of $203,427 will be invested through Round 18 of the Community Partnerships Grants, supporting 18 community events and activities that celebrate culture, sport and community connection across the Cairns region.
The annual Babinda Harvest Festival will receive the maximum $25,000 grant, helping deliver one of the region's most significant community celebrations as part of Cairns' 150th anniversary celebrations.
The 2026 festival is expected to attract thousands of residents and visitors with parades, entertainment, vintage machinery displays and local business activations throughout the township.
Major cultural celebrations including Cairns Pride Festival 2026, Cairns Japan Bon Dance Festival, PNG's Family & Cultural Day, Cairns Durga Puja 2026 and Ganeshotsav will provide opportunities for residents and visitors to experience and celebrate the diversity of cultures that make up the Cairns community.
Community-focused and family-friendly events including Joy to the World Carols & Fireworks, Far North QLD Relay for Life 2026, Moon Over Machans, Barron River Foodfest and FNQ Dogs Day Out will also receive support, helping bring communities together and encouraging volunteering, participation and social connection.
Funded events and organisations:
- Babinda Harvest Fest Inc – Babinda Harvest Festival ($25,000)
- Cairns Christian Ministers Network Inc – Joy to the World Carols & Fireworks ($20,000)
- The Japanese Society of Cairns Inc – Cairns Japan Bon Dance Festival 2026 ($18,000)
- Papua New Guinea & Wantoks Association Cairns Inc – PNG's Family & Cultural Day – 51st Independence Anniversary ($17,700)
- Cairns Pride Inc – Cairns Pride Festival 2026 ($17,200)
- Cancer Council Queensland – Far North QLD Relay for Life 2026 ($17,000)
- The Great Pyramid Race and Country Fair Association Inc – The Great Pyramid Race ($15,000)
- Young Animal Protection Society Inc – FNQ Dogs Day Out ($12,000)
- Stratford Dolphins Football Club Inc – Barron River Foodfest ($10,000)
- Cairns Bongo Group Inc – Cairns Durga Puja 2026 ($7,500)
- Cairns Hindu Samaj Inc – Ganeshotsav ($7,500)
- Cairns Chieftains GAA Inc – QGFHA Carpenter Cup 2026 – Festival of Gaelic Games ($7,000)
- Fiji Community Association Far North Queensland – Cairns 7s Rugby Tournament ($7,000)
- Machans Beach Community Association – Moon Over Machans ($5,000)
- Mission Australia – South Side Celebration ($10,000)
- Bayview Heights Community Kindergarten Association Inc – 50th Anniversary Celebration of Bayview Heights Community Kindergarten ($3,000)
- The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Cairns – St Rita's School Babinda Centenary Celebration ($3,000)
- Redlynch Valley Community Group Inc – Tunnel of Terror ($1,527)
