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Rock on at these live music venues & festivals in Cairns

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TNQ Writer

Whether you fancy catching the hottest acts at a music festival or want to boogie the evening away in a live music bar, Cairns has you covered. Get your live music fix with these incredible venues and musical festivals in Cairns.

Live music venues & bars

Elixir Bar

Elixir Bar is a bit of an entertainment hub and offers everything from open mic nights to latin dance classes. This live music bar is located in the heart of Cairns and delivers an array of live music genres most nights of the week. The menu is just as vibrant and features authentic Mexican cuisine.

Salt House

Bar locations don’t get much more stunning than the Salt House, which offers epic views over the Cairns Marina. Add live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays into the mix and you have the ultimate crowd pleaser. While you’re there, treat yourself to something from the fantastic cocktail menu and tuck into tapas, share boards and pizza.

McGinty’s Irish Bar

Embrace authentic Irish vibes in the city centre at McGinty’s Irish Bar. Sip on Guinness and Kilkenny (obviously!) and toe-tap the evening away to local live music acts.

Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook offers good vibes and good music

Dance the evening away at Bar36

Bar36

If you like your live music served with a side of sophistication, head to Bar36 at the Reef Hotel Casino. The combination of the high end sound design and state of the art lighting and vision system will ensure you have a night to remember.

Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook

Good vibes are always on the menu at Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook and they even come with a side of gorgeous esplanade views. Head to the regular Boardwalk Social Sessions for live music and DJs.

PJ O’Briens

Live music always gets the crowd pumping at PJ O’Briens. This Irish bar hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night and is close to many more of Cairns’ best bars and nightclubs if you want to keep the party going.

Catch popular music arts at Munro Martin Parklands

Dance the night away in a World War II naval oil storage tank

Tanks Arts Centre

Venues don’t get much more quirky than the Tanks Arts Centre, three converted World War II naval oil storage tanks flanked by the foliage of the Cairns Botanic Gardens. The venue has as a dynamic program of local acts, touring acts and international and Australian performers. Continue the party post-gig in Tank 4 for Tank 4 Up Late and enjoy live and local music whilst browsing the current exhibition/s inside the gallery.

Cairns Performing Arts Centre

Known to the locals as CPAC, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre hosts an array of international and Aussie acts, as well as classical music, comedy and theatre.

Munro Martin Parklands

Grab your friends and head to Munro Martin Parklands to catch some of the hottest Australian and international acts al fresco. The outdoor stage has been previously graced by the likes of Tones and I and Vance Joy.

Music Festivals

Savannah in the Round

Savannah in the Round

Grab your cowboy hat and head to Mareeba for the annual Savannah in the Round festival. This multi-day country music festival has seen huge headlines including Brad Cox, Tex Perkins and Casey Barnes. With a camping and glamping options available onsite, it’s the perfect excuse to keep the party going all weekend.

Cairns Summer Sounds Festival

The annual Cairns Summer Sounds Festival, held at local venues Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Performing Arts Centre, draws an impressive lineup to the tropics. Acts for 2023 include Thundamentals, The Cat Empire, Dami Im, Jessica Mauboy, Eric Bibb and Stella Donnelly. If you missed out this year, stay tuned for 2024

Cairns Eco Fiesta

Tablelands Folk Festival

Kuranda Roots Festival

Kuranda Roots Festival is the longest-running reggae, roots and culture event in Tropical North Queensland. This laid back music event is held at the base of Emerald Creek Falls and is a cultural infusion of art, music and nature. Previous acts have included Mad Professor, Mungos Hifi and Tippa Irie.

Cairns Festival

Running for over four decades, Cairns Festival is an annual event that highlights the incredible culture, art and music across Cairns. This action-packed week includes a plethora of live music, art installations and the iconic street parade.

Cairns Ecofiesta

Sustainability is at the centre of Cairns Ecofiesta, which offers a smorgasbord of music, food, children’s activities and environmental initiatives. Best of all, this event in Munro Martin Parklands is free!

Tablelands Folk Festival

Head “up the hill” to Yungaburra for the annual Tablelands Folk Festival. Expect a jam-packed weekend of local and Australian folk acts, as well as workshops, special events and family entertainment.

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