Roar into the ’20s with Esplanade NYE party

Think flappers and gangsters, lions and prehistoric giants, and celebrate “Roaring into the ’20s” at the Cairns Esplanade’s New Year’s Eve party.

Crystalbrook Collection’s New Year’s Eve at the Esplanade offers an alcohol-free and family friendly event with live music, children’s activities and a fun run, which all culminates with a spectacular fireworks display.

Fogarty Park will be filled with music, children’s activity tent, rides and food stalls from 5.30pm with SwingRays Dance Group kicking off the program on the main stage.

Aptly themed “Roaring into the ’20s”, those attending are encouraged to dress up in fashion reminiscent of the 1920s or something that might roar – think lions and dinosaurs – for the chance to win cash and prizes.

“It’s always a massive event that really brings people together to celebrate the start of another year in our beautiful city,” Mayor Bob Manning said.

“As always, this year’s concert will offer a fun, festive and family-friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Those attending can add to the colour and fun by dressing in costume and there will lots of activities to make sure the kids are well entertained.”

Two fireworks displays will light up the sky, the first for the younger members of the family at 9pm and then at midnight.

Hundreds of revellers are expected to welcome 2020 on the front foot by joining the New Year’s Resolution Fun Run on the Cairns Esplanade.

“You don’t need to be super-fit, just willing to have some fun and finish 2019 on a high note,” Mayor Bob Manning said.

The 4km course can be run or walked and participants are encouraged to dress up and pin on neon and glow products to brighten up their run. There’ll be performers lining the course ready to entertain you.

Registration is free – via Council’s website or on the night between 5.30pm and 6.30pm – and the event is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

“A lot of people make new year’s resolutions to be more active or to take up running,” Cr Manning said.

“This fun run is a great way to kick-start things for the new year.”

The fun run starts at 7pm on New Year’s Eve at Fogarty Park and will travel along the Cairns Esplanade and back.

Medals will be presented to the first 200 runners to cross the finish line, with the top finisher to receive trophies.

NYE Resolution Fun Run

Date:   Tuesday 31 December 2019

Time:   7pm (compulsory briefing at 6.45pm)

Where: Fogarty Park, The Esplanade, Cairns

All ages welcome. Register now at www.cairns.qld.gov.au or on the night between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

Fogarty Park program:

5.30pm

SwingRays Dance Group

Main Stage

Registrations open for Fun Run

Marquee beside stage on Esplanade

6.00pm

Dirty Sanchez band

Main Stage

6.45pm

Best Dressed competition presentation Briefing for Fun Run

Main Stage Marquee beside stage on Esplanade

6.50pm

SwingRays Dance Group

Main Stage

7pm

Dirty Sanchez band

Main Stage

Fun Run commences

Esplanade

7.45pm

Presentation of Fun Run awards

Main Stage

8pm

Dirty Sanchez band

Main Stage

8.45pm

Closing

Main Stage

9pm

Fireworks

On the water

12 midnight

Fireworks

On the water

Free buses, parking and road closures for New Year’s Eve

Free bus transport will be available following the midnight fireworks to assist revellers in getting home safely from New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Cairns city.

Cairns Regional Council is funding the free Sunbus services, which will depart from Lake Street between 12.30am and 1.20am.

See the Sunbus website for times and route details (www.sunbus.com.au/event/cairns-new-years-services-3).

Parking in the Lake Street multi-storey carpark will be free all day on Tuesday 31 December. Normal regulated hours will resume at 8.30am on Thursday 2 January.

Please note that the Cairns Esplanade will be closed to all traffic between Spence and Aplin streets from 5am on Tuesday 31 December until 4am on Wednesday 1 January.

New Year’s Eve events on the Cairns Esplanade will proceed in the event of rain. In the case of more severe weather conditions, please refer to Cairns Regional Council’s Facebook page for updates.