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!
Saturday 12 September
Saturday 12 September: Day pass program
All events
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.
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.
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 Installation
What does Cairns mean to you—and what should its future become?
Help shape the places—and futures our young people will inherit, by responding to guided prompts about home, place, wellbeing, belonging and opportunity.
WOW 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.