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.

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!  

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!

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.

A quiet space to explore all things health & wellbeing, with workshops throughout the day, weaving and space to just chill and check-in.

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.

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. 

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.

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!

What does safety really mean for women and girls — at home, at work, online, culturally, and in the places we move through every day?

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!

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).