Bluey and Bingo kick off Christmas in Cairns

Everyone's favourite blue heeler Bluey, and her little sister Bingo, will be putting on special performances at the lighting-up of the Christmas Tree on the Cairns Esplanade on Friday 1 December.

Featuring 13,000 LED lights and located at the Lagoon Plaza, the switching on the Christmas Tree lights traditionally ushers in the festival season.

Acting Mayor Terry James said the free family event was always popular and the appearance of Bluey and Bingo was sure to create even more interest.

“It’s always a wonderful event that brings out our city’s Christmas spirit,” Cr James said.

“There’s nothing like Christmas in the tropics and it’s fitting that we kick off the festive season beside our iconic lagoon.

“This year, Bluey and Bingo will add to the festive atmosphere, with three Christmas shows to delight the younger members of the family.”

The Bluey and Bingo Christmas Show will kick-off off the event at 5.30pm, with the Christmas Tree lights to be switched on at 7pm by the Mayor and the winners of the Christmas eCard Competition.

Work has started on erecting the 10-metre Christmas tree, which will be adorned with an array of new decorations this year created by artists Hayley Gillespie and India Collins.

The Cairns artists have been engaged to create 100 reef-inspired decorations of varying sizes and up to one-metre long, that will be placed on the Christmas tree, as well as the neighbouring raintree and fig tree.

Christmas festivities in the city will continue through the month with the return of Carols in the Park on Sunday 17 December.

To be staged at Munro Martin Parklands and live-streamed at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, people are encouraged to bring a blanket and chairs and enjoy the free entertainment.

This year’s event will embody a ‘Baubles and Bows’ theme and feature a wide variety of local artists. Gates will open at 4pm with roving performers and fashion show at 6pm, and the main show from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Florence St, between Sheridan and Grafton streets, will be closed to traffic for food trucks and activations.

The Esplanade road, between Spence St and Shields St, will be closed to all traffic from 4pm to 9pm on Friday 1 December.