Cairns Tropical Pride

Cairns is known both for its natural attractions and the friendly laid back welcome it offers. It is home to a vibrant LGBT+ community who welcome visitors from across the country and around the world every spring to the Cairns TropicalPride Festival.

The festival celebrates both the region and the community. In 2018, Cairns Tropical Pride runs for 3 days starting with the Wearable Art Gala Launch at The Tanks Arts Centre. That party also launches the month-long Tropical Gaze Art Exhibition which showcases LGBT+ artists from the region.

Saturday sees a Rainbow Flag Flash Mob at the Rainbow Street Crossing installed by the Cairns RegionalCouncil each year in honour of Cairns Tropical Pride. In 2018 theFlash Mob will depart the Rainbow Crossing and march up the street to the Cairns Museum for the official handover of the first LGBT+collection in that institution, a collection celebrating the campaign in Cairns.

That afternoon sees Queer Spring BreakII when a secluded tropical beach surrounded by world heritage rainforest comes alive with the Party of the Year.

The Signature event of the festival each year is Pride Fair Day on Sunday 14th October. Cairns TropicalPride takes over The Tanks Arts Centre, a heritage listed cultural precinct consisting of giant WWII Oil Tanks converted to performance and arts spaces, nestled beneath rainforest shrouded Mt Whitfield. Over 1000 people attended Pride Fair Day in 2017 and in 2018organisers are predicting a turnout of over 1500. 

Visitors enter through the Barrier ReefFood Court on the Promenade. Inside the grounds, visitors wander through community and business stalls. In Tank 3, community events occur throughout the day. Adjacent to Tank 3 is the outdoor amphitheater which hosts the celebrated Dog Show. Tank 4 is home to tropical Gaze Art Exhibition. 

Tank 5 is the home of day-long LGBT+entertainment starting with a showing of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Throughout the day LGBT+ entertainers bring the venue alive. There's local gay indigenous singer Binda Warren, Secret Tuesdays, the Ironing Maidens and more. A highlight of the day is always the Wild Barra Fashion Spectacular when Indigenous designer Shaun Edwards brings together a gloriously diverse cast in a joyous celebration of inclusion and harmony. In 2018, Cairns Tropical Pride promises some surprises in the lineup including an internationally-celebrated drag performer and a leading Australian LGBT+ icon.