Entertainment
11 April, 2026
It’s a night at the library
CAIRNS Children’s Festival will return for its 12th year on 16-17 May 2026, delivering a weekend of performances, workshops and interactive experiences for children aged 12 and under.
The festival will run across multiple venues, with ticketed events at Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) and Cairns City Library on Saturday, followed by a free activity program at Tanks Arts Centre and the Botanic Gardens on Sunday.
A highlight of this year’s program is ‘Night at the Library: The Unwritten Story’ by Box Jelly Theatre Co, created especially for Cairns Children’s Festival.
For the first time, Cairns City Library will open in the evening for the interactive roving theatre event, giving children access to parts of the library never seen as they become heroes on a mission to restore the magic of stories.
Rachel Terry, writer and producer of Night at the Library, said The Unwritten Story was a special experience because children helped drive the story forward as they explored behind-the-scenes spaces in the library.
“They can expect to step into a magical world where storytelling and books are celebrated and are the gateway to the imagination,” she said.
“I really cannot give away too much, as that will ruin the surprises along the way, but this is not a sit-down and watch the show theatrical experience. It is immersive theatre, where children follow the figurative breadcrumbs.”
Ms Terry said the Cairns Children’s Festival was a natural fit for the production, with Box Jelly based in Cairns and working with regional children of all ages through drama.
“It is a story that celebrates children, is for children and was created with children,” she said.
“We also believe in the power of creativity and storytelling to change lives and give us a sense of belonging.”
The festival program continues at CPAC with performances for younger audiences, alongside interactive experiences and workshops at Tanks Arts Centre and the Botanic Gardens.
CPAC’S Saturday program includes POD, a multi-sensory performance following a seed pod through the Top End seasons, and The Alphabet of Awesome Science, where Professor Lexi Con and Professor Noel Edge present 26 science experiments in 52 minutes.
Between performances, the CPAC foyer will host the TINCAIRNS150 Creation Station, where children can take part in paper craft and contribute to a community zine.
Sunday’s free program will feature hands-on activities, including Neon Space Garden, an interactive UV installation by Dilja Thorpe and the Tinkering Tank workshop led by Hayley Gillespie.
Live performances such as Bunktopia by Bunk Puppets and The Magnificent Danny and Dazzle in Flecker Gardens will also be part of the program, alongside a Mini Makers Market, food vans and family-friendly activities.
The full program and ticket details at www.bit.ly/4tbvdkD.
