Cairns Festival 2026 Grand Parade Float Application

Join the C150 Cairns Festival Grand Parade celebrating this year's theme “Fun in the Sun”!

Cairns is turning 150 years young in 2026, and we’re calling on the whole community to help bring back one of our city’s most iconic traditions, the “Fun in the Sun” parade, for a special one-off celebration in 2026.

This is your chance to help recreate the spirit of Cairns’ early festival days while celebrating everything that makes our city vibrant today. We’re honouring the businesses, communities and milestones that have built the city of Cairns, while also shining a light on the bright future ahead.

This is a one-off opportunity for C150 so let’s make it big!

Think tropical colour, coastal vibes, sun-soaked nostalgia and bold Cairns energy. Bright, joyful and uniquely us.

Come and join Cairns’ most spectacular street party on Saturday 29 August 2026 at 5:30pm.

It’s free to enter and parade participants are in the running to win:

First Prize: $3,000
Second Prize: $2,000
Third Prize: $1,000
Best Eco-float: $1,000

Judges will look at the following criteria:

Colour
Creativity
Vibrancy
Uniqueness
Enthusiasm
Use of natural or re-cycled materials
Low or zero emissions transport
Creating a party atmosphere

Code of Conduct:

To enter the Cairns Festival 2026 Grand Parade all participants must adhere to the following code of conduct:

The parade is a festive occasion to celebrate the lifestyle and community of Cairns and is not to be used to promote any political agenda or as a ground for protest.
The parade is a fun family event and no discriminating, insulting, offensive or vulgar comments or displays may be presented. Entrants that give offence will not be accepted and risk expulsion from future parades.
Cairns Festival reserves the right not to accept any presentations that could be damaging to the spirit of the parade.

Float Leaders Meeting:

The Festival Team will be hosting a meeting for all float leaders to discuss the finer details of traversing the parade route and to answer any questions you may have. You are highly encouraged to attend, especially if you’re a new participant.

Date: Thursday 6 August 2026
Time: 5:00pm
Venue: Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Multipurpose Room

Participation Agreement:

Please ensure you read the Cairns Festival Grand Parade Participation Agreement carefully. It includes the Terms of Agreement, Parade Rules and Safety Checklist.

Get ready to join the fun! Complete the form below to submit your application for this year's Cairns Festival Grand Parade.

Questions? Give us a call on 4032 6656 or email festival@cairns.qld.gov.au — we’re happy to help.

Applications close Friday 31 July. Late entries won’t be accepted.

Tell us about your float

Application contact

Business or group name: *

Contact person for application: *

Email address: *

Preferred contact phone number: *Mobile number preferred

Postal address: *

Parade day contact

Contact person on parade day: *

Parade day contact mobile phone number: *

Float details

Float name: *

Float type: *

Motorised entry Non-Motorised entry

List details for all vehicles (motorised and non-motorised) used as part of your float: *NB: no semi-trailers

Float participants

Number of adults participating: *

Number of children participating: *

Float guide

The Grand Parade asks that each float provides a minimum of one guide to lead your entry along the parade route. The size of your float will determine the amount of guides you will need. This will be discussed with the Parade Coordinator upon your application.

Name of float guide: *

Float guide email address: *

Float guide mobile phone number: *

Float size

Float height: *Must be under 4.3m high

Float width: *Must be less than 3m wide

Float length: *Must be less than 20m long

Float description

Describe your float: *E.g. large decorated truck with giant paper flowers and fairy lights with a group of 30 costumed flower dancers walking behind

Please note: Float entries are not permitted to stop unless instructed by a Parade Marshal. This includes choreographed movement and sporting demonstrations.

Will you be playing pre-recorded music? *

YesNo

Please name the style/genre of music or major artists you will be playing: *

Will you play live music? *

YesNo

Please list instruments and style of music: *

Will you play a voice-over or similar message? *

YesNo

What will the message be: *

Will you be handing out promotional material, or similar items? *

YesNo

Please list all material you plan to hand out: *NB: Lollies are not permitted. Please note that the Parade Coordinator will need a complete list and will need to grant approval before the parade.

Will you have a fuel-powered generator on your float? *

YesNo

Will your float have lights (other than vehicle lights)? *

YesNo

Describe your lights: *

Upload an image of what your float will look like: *

Browse

You will need to sketch, photograph or electronically draw your float. Scan or save your drawing and upload it here.

How does your C150 Cairns Festival Grand Parade float celebrate the theme “Fun in the Sun”? *Please be aware that your written description will be passed on to the Cairns Festival Grand Parade Judges to help them best understand your float entry.

Please provide any other information that can help us understand your float and present it in the best position within the parade: *e.g. accessibility requirements, animals, elderly, young children etc.

Terms & Conditions

Please take the time to read the following items. It is important you understand the rules and safety requirements in order to participate in the Grand Parade and guarantee your float meets specifications.

On Parade day this document will be printed and ready to sign on arrival at the registration booth.

I confirm I have read the full Cairns Festival Grand Parade Participation Agreement. *

I confirm I have read section 4. Float Safety of the Grand Parade Participation Agreement.

*

I confirm I have read section 6. Wet Weather of the Grand Parade Participation Agreement.

*

RSVP for the Float Leaders Meeting . We’d love to see you there. *

I will be attending the meeting I am unable to attend the meeting

Date: Thursday 6 August 2026
Time: 5:00pm
Venue: Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Multipurpose Room

Please submit your complete application form by Friday 31 July. Late entries will not be accepted.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Jan Aird, the Parade Coordinator on 4032 6656 or festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

Cairns Regional Council – Information Privacy Statement

Your personal information has been collected for the purpose of assessing your application. The collection of your information is authorised under the Local Government Act 2009. You are providing personal information which will be used for the purpose of delivering services and carrying out Council business. Your personal information is handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 and will be accessed by persons who have been authorised to do so. Your information will not be given to any other person or agency unless you have given Council permission to or the disclosure is required by law.

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