WOW Cairns Festival 2026
Thursday 10 September 2026, 6:30am
Saturday 12 September 2026, 9:00pm
Bulmba-ja Arts Centre & other locations
96 Abbott Street, Cairns
WOW Australia is heading to Cairns again in 2026 for the city’s 150th birthday to celebrate 150(+000) years of the contribution of women and girls to the city and region, to hear their stories and celebrate changemakers in the community today; bringing a wave of inspiration, connection, and fun!
This isn't just an event for Cairns; it's an event designed by Cairns! The WOW Australia team have been honoured to spend time exploring what a gender equal world might look like, sharing donuts with the Yindiji women and weaving whilst yarning with some of the elders from Yarrabah, to hearing from a range of young people, women and men from the range of multicultural communities across the region, the business and arts communities and a whole range of wonderful women who were kind enough to share their time and dreams for the Festival! Together we have co-created a program that reflects the heart and soul of the region, and the stories that Cairns wants to tell!
With a jam-packed program across 3 days, there is something for everyone, including a Men’s breakfast, screening of SEEN, opportunities for women in business and a special conversation with WOW Australia Patron and former Governor General of Australia, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and royal correspondent and journalist, Juliet Rieden.
We will wrap the program up will the main highlight, our full day Saturday Day Pass Program featuring: Panel discussions, lots of WOW Bites – inspirational short stories of hope, workshop on a range of subjects and free WOW Marketplace, dedicated Healing Space and community concerts, followed by the hilarious WOW Comedy Gala!
All events
In Her Name touring exhibition
This inspiring exhibition celebrates the remarkable contributions of women and girls from across Queensland and will also feature portraits of ten incredible local women from Cairns along with their stories, as part of the Cairns 150 celebrations with support from Cairns Regional Council.
Men’s Breakfast
Join us for the inaugural WOW Cairns Festival Men's Breakfast, a thought-provoking and engaging event bringing together leaders from business, government and the community to explore the role men play in building stronger families, workplaces and communities.
SEEN (film screening)
Join us for a special WOW Cairns Festival screening of SEEN, including a live Q&A with producer Sam Jockel exploring how adults can help children feel safe, supported and seen; and a marketplace of information for parents and those working with children.
Building Business Together
An interactive workshop discussing ideas for sustainable business growth for FNQ women entrepreneurs and business leaders in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic Games, including special guests with expertise in business investment and enterprise development.
House of Us Community Workshop and Installation
What if we stopped asking young people to wait for the future - and invited them to help design it? Together, young people will explore identity, belonging, wellbeing, community and home before contributing their ideas to a collaborative public installation.
Schools Day
WOW Schools Day is a full-day experience bringing together Years 10 & 11 students from across Cairns and Far North Queensland for a dynamic program of interactive workshops, live performances and creative storytelling, speed mentoring with women from a range of sectors and life experiences and Inspiring speakers and young change-makers.
Women Investing in Women
Too often we tend to put things in the ‘too hard’ basket when it comes to finding new solutions to problems that we face in the world today. Sometimes it is easier to leave it to someone else to ‘fix’. This is an opportunity to hear from some remarkable change makers, women who have taken it upon themselves to break down barriers for women through investing their time, ideas and financial resources in building a better world.
In Conversation with Quentin Bryce
Join Patron of WOW in Australia the Hon. Quentin Bryce for the Cairns launch of her biography and a timely conversation about her life and work as a trailblazer, with biographer, journalist and Royal Correspondent Juliet Rieden, CEO of Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership Kirsty Davies and facilitated by the CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency Christine Castley.
WOW Marketplace and Community Stage
The WOW Cairns Festival Marketplace is free for all to attend! Featuring local artisans, women-led enterprises, community groups and service providers, performances and free workshops. Come along and grab something to eat, be serenaded by a diverse range of Cairns creative talent, learn a few new dance moves and definitely do some shopping!
WOW Cairns: Day pass
A jam packed pack, full day program including panel conversations, performances, visual arts, workshops, WOW Bites: where you get to hear from everyday heroes and the WOW Healing Space where you can chill out and do some weaving all talks, conversations, workshops and more!
2046: When Women Run the World!
What would change if women and girls were believed the first time? Facilitated by Balveen Ajimal, Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Health and Equality Queensland, this conversation explores what women and girls deserve to know about their bodies, and why so many are still forced to fight for answers.
WOW Healing
A quiet space to explore all things health & wellbeing, with workshops throughout the day, weaving and space to just chill and check-in.
WOW Bites
An audience favourite, WOW Bites are short talks, readings and soapbox moments on a wide range of subjects designed to inspire, engage and introduce new ideas from local women and festival guests.
Workhops
WOW looks after you, mind, body and soul! If you want to learn new skills, get your body moving or just relax and do something creative; join in one of our many workshop sessions.
Cranky Women's Comedy Course
Join Mandy Nolan's Cranky Women’s Comedy Course for a unique opportunity to turn frustration into laughter and take the stage at the WOW Cairns Festival. Participants will attend a full-day workshop, followed by a mentoring week, a rehearsal, and a live performance at WOW Cairns.
Body of Knowledge: Women’s Health, Bias & Being Believed
The year is 2046, twenty years since the great societal, environmental and financial crash, known today as the ‘Great Cock Up’ after the actions of the now disgraced group of septuagenarian male world leaders in 2026!
Enter the Safe Zone
What does safety really mean for women and girls — at home, at work, online, culturally, and in the places we move through every day?
Speed Mentoring & WOW Wine Down
Finish the day with an opportunity to meet new friends and mentors and exchange ideas and stories by joining us for a session of the popular WOW speed mentoring, followed by some free music and a chance to grab a glass and wind down after the 3 days of Festival activities!
Comedy Gala
Hosted by sharp-shooting Ellen Briggs, the brightest, boldest and baddest babes of comedy come together for a night you won’t forget!
Featuring Jenny Wynter, Kat Davidson, Urvi Majumdar, Alexandra Hudson, Grace Hogan and Steve (Sophia Hutchence).
WOW South East Queensland: Schools Day
A Brisbane favourite, WOW Schools Day '26 will be held on Tuesday 13 October. This year we will continue to partner with QPAC to host over 200 high school students in a full day of workshops, performances, and speed mentoring on the Wheel of Brisbane with over 200 mentors from diverse fields, highlighting opportunities and inspiring diverse ambitions, together with an inspiring panel conversation hosted by ABC’s Natasha Mitchell in conversation with 3 amazing young people doing extraordinary things!