Cairns Japan Bon Dance Festival

The Cairns Japan Bon Dance Festival is a vibrant annual celebration of Japanese culture, taking place at Fogarty Park in Cairns. This free community event, organized by the Japanese Society of Cairns, invites everyone to experience and participate in traditional festivities.

The festival's core features include Bon Odori, a communal dance performed around a central yagura stage, encouraging public participation. Attendees can enjoy a wide array of Japanese food from stalls opening at noon. The day's schedule includes an opening ceremony at 12:30pm, followed by a packed afternoon of entertainment from groups like Cairns Taiko, Akabanaa & Smile with Kids, Japanese Play Group & Street Elements, Tensho Ren, and Mugendai. Multiple Bon dancing sessions are interspersed throughout the day. Dignitaries, including Mayor Amy Eden and Japanese consul Shingo Higashimoto, are scheduled to address the crowd.

The celebrations build to a climactic fireworks display at 8pm, followed by a final Bon dance before the festival concludes at 8:30pm. As one of Cairns' major multicultural events, it receives support from the Cairns Regional Council.