Pasifika Celebrations

Pasifika 2026 celebration makes waves with record crowd

Cassowary Coast Regional Council celebrated the success of its second Pasifika Celebration, held on Saturday, 20 June 2026, at Warrina Lakes, Innisfail.

The event attracted an estimated 3,500 attendees throughout the day, nearly doubling last year’s turnout.

The event showcased vibrant cultural performances from Kiribati, Vanuatu Tanna Island, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga, alongside live music from ‘Legacy One’ and DJ Zinox. The energy was electric, with dancing, singing, and a true celebration of Pacific Island culture.

Attendees enjoyed a wide range of activities, including coconut scraping, face painting, Kokedama workshops, and children’s activities provided by Goodstart Early Learning. A futsal session proved so popular that it extended from one hour to six hours of play!

The event featured a diverse range of food stalls offering global cuisines, including Pacific Island dishes and sweet treats, alongside market stalls displaying traditional handmade clothing, jewellery, and arts and crafts.

The event’s competitions were a hit, with prizes awarded for surveys, colourful outfits, and even an impromptu singing contest.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with comments like:

• “Music is the cultural language of all our communities.”
• “We loved it. So interesting to get to know these cultures.”

Notably, 57 per cent of attendees travelled from outside the Cassowary Coast, including Cairns, Tablelands, and Babinda, and 92 per cent said they learned something new about another culture.

The event was made possible through the generous support of local businesses and sponsors, including Nourish Banana Co., Queensland Government Department of Multicultural Affairs, Jobs Australia Enterprises Ltd, CARMA, The Salvation Army, and SBS, who also filmed the event for their series Our Pacific.

Quote attributed to Councillor Trudy Tschui:

"Pasifika Celebration 2026 was a true reflection of the cultural richness and community spirit of the Cassowary Coast. It was incredible to see so many people come together to celebrate, learn, and connect."

When

Location

Warrina Lakes, 35 Emily Street, Innisfail, View Map