A Curated Guide to What’s On for Carnivale this week.

Find your official guide and programme for Carnivale events here

There is also a full programme of awesome entertainment at the Carnivale hub, Wonderland Spiegeltent, right through the weekend. Enjoy a diverse range of entertainment including Popcorn Cabaret, Late Night Debauched and Circus Wonderland. Check the Guide for full show details.

Thursday

Legendary Musos Night at the Central Hotel

Whether you want to simply enjoy some of our finest local musical talent, or would like to join in with the local jam, Central Hotel hosts a vibrant Musos Night every Thursday from 8pm.

Go Troppo 2023

Presented by Port Douglas Artists Inc, our top local artists gather for the Go Troppo Exhibition as part of Carnivale celebrations.

The contemporary collection by some of the finest visual artists of the region, allows art lovers to view or purchase paintings, sculptures, ceramics, print making, weavings, and multi media.

19 artists who will present at the iconic Sugar Wharf with the opening event held at 6pm on Thursday, May 18. All are welcome.

Then, open daily from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May, from 10am to 5pm. Further details.

Friday

Longest Lunch

12-3pm at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina

A ticketed charity event that promises to tantalise your taste buds and warm your heart. In high demand, this exclusive event is a rare opportunity to indulge in a fabulous culinary experience. Priced at $260.00 + booking fee, this is a premium event that promises to exceed your expectations.

Hosted by four of our best local restaurants-Salsa, Kai, Zinc and La Cucina- who will present a sumptuous four-course menu using the freshest and most delicious local produce. Added to this is a great local beverage offering from Hemingway’s Brewery and Devils Thumb Distillery.

Carnivale Street Parade

From 4.30pm, Macrossan Street comes alive with dazzling entertainment for the young and the young at heart.

A true community event in the finest of Tropical North Queenslander traditions, the Macrossan Street Parade has long been the opening highlight of Port Douglas Carnivale and regularly draws eager crowds of thousands.

Be captivated by the sights and sounds, indulge in the fresh goodies on offer at the market food stalls, and be thrilled by an array of amusement rides for the whole family. The parade will be kicking off at 6:30pm followed by a spectacular fireworks display at 8pm driving the party into high gear. The street fun continues into the night with the amusements rides, food stalls and Port Douglas restaurants and bars.

Kids Disco

Pre-parade 4.30-6.30pm at Rattle ‘ n Hum

Macrossan street jumps and bops along at the famous Kids Disco leading into the fabulous street parade.

Dance, sing and have fun as DJ ACE plays kid friendly sing along songs, well know dance hits and grooves with dance moves at the family friendly parade viewing area at the top end of town.

This free, pre-street parade event will have kids of all ages strutting their stuff and having a good time and goes right up until the floats start their way. The you can sit back, with lots of space, and enjoy the floats as they go by.

Its all happening right out the front of Rattle n Hum at the top end of Macrossan Street from 4:30pm till 6:30pm.

With giveaways and lots of interactive dancing fun, it’s the place to be with the little ones.

Electric Dreams at the Yachty

Tropical Neon Nights featuring DJ Sgt Slick and Electric Dreams DJs.

Get your party on as SGT Slick hits the decks at the Yacht Club for an unmissable performance.

Melbourne based producer and DJ Andy Ramanauskas has been a solid fixture behind the decks and on dance music charts and radio for the better part of 20 years. He has a huge list of achievements under his production alias “Sgt Slick”, including ARIA and APRA Awards and nominations, US Billboard, UK Music Week, ARIA, Traxsource and Beatport # 1 Records, and a string of successful music releases and collaborations.

Andy’s career as a producer has opened doors to shows all across Australia and Asia, and led to a seven year relocation to the USA with high profile gigs and residencies.

With production by Electric Dreams Entertainment a host of killer support acts including Decktism DJs, free face painting and surprise performances, this will be one to remember.
+ 8pm till late
+ Dress Code Tropical Neon

Pacific Nights Island Reggae + RNB

8pm till late at Mossman Showgrounds
+ Free Entry
+ Licensed Bar
+ ID Required (18+)
+ Straight after A Grade game Mossman Sharks V Atherton Roosters

Saturday

Tropic Rock with You Am I + Lady Valiant

Rex Smeal Park from 5-10.30pm

Can it get any better than Australian Rock royalty, You Am I and local heavy hitters Lady Valiant performing at Far North Queensland’s most pictures event spaces, Rex Smeal Park as part of the Carnivale? Simple answer – NO! You Am I are without doubt one of Australia’s all-time essential rock n’ roll bands.

More than two decades on from their first album release, You Am I have not only had one of the longest and most successful recording careers in Australia, but are also without doubt one of our most loved live bands.

2020’s Lives Of Others debuted at #2 in the ARIA charts, 31 ARIA nominations with 10 wins, 3 #1 records, 2 Platinum and 3 gold records, 5631 shows and 4 very close band members with rock and roll to burn can’t be denied their place as Australian Rock Royalty.

The Tin Shed’s Family Beach Day

Grab your family and friends and head to the Family Beach Day for a full day of fun and frolicking by the sea. It’s all about the fun of the beach and the stunning surrounds of the magnificent Four Mile beach.

Get creative and enter our Sand Sculpting Competition as a family and have fun while competing for a host of amazing prizes. Join in the fun of beach activities, dancing, music fun and colour.

Join the WindSwell Team for good times and plenty of water and wind sports adventures! Escape the crowds and the beach to enjoy a moment out on the ocean looking back at the palm tree lined beach with the mountain range backdrop and panoramic view of the coastline from Palm Cove to the Daintree!

Pooch Party

10am-2pm Jalun Park

Join in for a day of fun and games, especially for our four-legged friends, their owners, and all animal lovers to socialise, picnic, and party in the park. A fun filled event that is sure to get tails wagging! Treats, Entertainment and Prizes await as we look for:

Best Dressed Dog
Naughtiest Dog – Tails of Destruction
Best Dog Trick
Dog with the Waggiest Tails
Owner/Dog Lookalike
Douglas Shire’s Top Dog

Fun for all the family with face painting, balloon animals and more, so get your furry friends together and join in the fun.

FNQ Gin Fest

12-6pm Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina

Take a journey of gin discovery with the first ever FNQ Gin Fest as we indulge in a fantastic celebration of all things gin, presented by Hemingway’s Brewery.

The FNQ Gin Fest brings together six local distilleries:

The aim of the event is to celebrate craft gin and distilling, introduce you to new gins you are likely not to have discovered yet, and let you enjoy tasting samples in person from the array of exhibiting distillers. The FN! Gin Fest is also enriched by fabulous food trucks, satisfying all cravings and munchies.

Italian Harvest Feast

Join the Carnivale edition of Sheraton’s ‘Italian Harvest Feast’. This exclusive outdoor dining experience celebrates the start of the local sugar cane harvest season.

The evening begins with a symbolic cane burning on Four Mile Beach where a cocktail will be served, followed by a five course dinner with matched Italian wines at Sheraton’s very first long table under the stars.

This unique experience will also feature authentic stories told by descendants of the region’s sugar farming pioneers and a live Italian Opera performance.

Sunday

Seafood Extravaganza

12-7pm Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina

Seafood Extravaganza, with a monster lineup of music, entertainment, and of course a showcase of the best seafood the region has to offer not to mention the best beer too.

This is a day for families and friends, visitors and locals to come together and enjoy free entertainment and great seafood all along the boardwalk at the Marina. Kick back with a coldie, listen to the bands, and tuck into a bucket of prawns, or fish and chips.

+ Local seafood food stalls

+ Beer, wine & spirits

+ Live music & entertainment

+ Family friendly

Sunday Sunset Session with Cafe del Mar

Gather for a sunset to remember as you swim in Australia’s most iconic pool during this special Carnivale edition of Sheraton Sunset Sessions.

World famous for celebrating spectacular sunsets in Ibiza since the 80’s, Café Del Mar remains one of the much-loved Spanish island’s most treasured venues to this day. The true pioneers of bringing music, sensational sunsets and fun together with Mediterranean food and cool drinks, this special Café Del Mar edition of the regular Sunset Sessions at Sheraton is sure to be a hot ticket during Port Douglas Carnivale 2023.

As the sun gets ready to set on Sunday, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas will come to life as colourful cocktails, Mediterranean bites and Café Del Mar tunes by DJ ‘Jus Joe’ flow onto the shore of the resort’s Main Beach.

FairMarket in Julatten

Geraghty Park Hall 2-5pm