Celebrating its 22nd year, Port Douglas Carnivale sails into Tropical North Queensland in May with an exciting new line-up of events and activities for local, national and international visitors alike. Showcasing the best of the region’s abundant produce and fresh ingredients from land and sea, world class wines, market stalls, international entertainers, local musicians and artists plus a stack of family fun, Port Douglas Carnivale is one of Australia’s premiere cultural events.
This year, Carnivale will feature Festival favorites plus a variety of exciting new events
including the Wonderland Spiegeltent as the new star attraction and Festival Hub venue.
Imported from Belgium with its original early 20th century décor including colorful stained glass
windows, velvet drapings and warm wood furnishings, the Spiegeltent will present comedy
superstar Jimeoin, enigmatic trio The Kransky Sisters, Blues superstars Lloyd Spiegel and
Big Daddy Wilson, and a lively program of thrilling acrobatic circus, vivacious cabaret,
sizzling burlesque, and live comedy that will start from 12 May and continue into Carnivale
weekend 20-22.
Official Carnivale weekend kicks off in spectacular style on Friday 20 May with a long lunch
dining experience, Paradise on a Plate, held within the opulent surrounds of the authentic
Wonderland Spiegeltent and in Dixie Park (next to the Sugar Wharf) outdoor dining under the
palms. The 4-course luncheon will be a land and sea lovers’ gourmet delight with matching
award-winning wines by Brown Brothers plus live entertainment to match each course.
Friday night lights up with the Carnivale Wonders of the Tropics Street Parade on
Macrosson St. – Port Douglas’ “High Street”. A Carnivale favorite, the parade will feature
festooned floats from local community and businesses, stilt walkers, fire twirlers, jugglers,
electrifying performers and a few special surprises.
Grab family and friends and head to the Family Beach Day Party at Four Mile Beach for a
day of fun and frolic by the sea on Saturday 21 May, featuring an amazing Kite Festival with
astounding giant kites. Dig deep into the Sandcastle and Sand Sculpting Competition, and
spike your best attack at beach volleyball and cricket games. Includes family entertainment
featuring Bosco and Honey on ukulele, kids’ activities, market stalls and eye-popping giant
puppets.
The inaugural Port On A Fork Food & Wine Festival will have guests eating, drinking and
dancing in the moonlight on Saturday evening 21 May. It’s one big foodie party featuring an
assortment of tropically-inspired dishes that capture the essence of local living. Savor Port
Douglas on your palate with the freshest and best of the area’s produce and ingredients, from
the sweet and savoury to the tart and tangy. Plus a variety of regional providore and food
artisans will be offering tastings of their handcrafted goodies. Legendary singer and
saxophonist Joe Camilleri & Black Sorrows will be kicking the festivities into high gear with
electrifying live music.
For Art lovers, The Wonder of the Tropics Container Art in the Park exhibit from 20-22 May
will bring renowned and local artists together to exhibit their works in a trendy industrial
shipping container gallery space. Showcasing a range of visual arts mediums and styles,
artwork will also be on sale to capture the memory of a visit to Carnivale.
To finish the weekend off on Sunday 22 May, head to the Port Douglas Fisherman’s Village
Seafood & Music Festival. What’s Port Douglas without a Bucket of Prawns? Prawns,
barramundi, oysters and more cooked fresh off the trawler and four live free music stages
featuring Desert Blues, Dream Boogie and more. Stages will be located within easy strolling
distance along the waterfront starting from Reef Marina. Meander your way to Rex Smeal
Park at sunset and wind down from a full Carnivale event calendar with a picnic blanket and
soak up the stunning twilight views. Fish & Chips packs are available to book in advance to
ensure you have all the provisions necessary for a lazy Port Douglas Sunday afternoon.
Get ready for the ultimate Party in Paradise!
