Welcome to Shine On Gimuy. This festival doesn’t just spotlight the extraordinary creativity of our First Nations communities - it invites the whole nation to witness the stories, spirit, and strength that shape who we are.

It fills me with pride to see our city light up the national stage, sharing the deep cultural roots and rich connection to Country that make Gimuy/Cairns unlike anywhere else.

Heralding the beginning of Shine On Gimuy Festival is the Calling Country Ceremony–a coming together of First Nations clan groups to the Gimuy/Cairns area and surrounding region, hosted by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji peoples.

“Our performance is a call and response ritual, featuring dance and song cycles that uniquely honour
totemic, ancestral, country, and cultural expressions …

The Artstory Light Walk is a mesmerising installation of public art, light sculptures, and soundscapes, reflecting the vibrant colours and natural beauty of Tropical North Queensland.

All of the Shine On Gimuy festivities are in one complete program for you to view here.

First Nations Summit. series brings together leading First Nations thinkers, cultural leaders, and changemakers for powerful discussions on sovereignty, Country, leadership, and the future.

A world-class concert of the best First Nations artists - celebrate all things First Nations music in a festival setting unique to the tropics!
Presented in partnership with QMF

The Blak Markets celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of First Nations and Bama (‘Bama’ meaning First Nations people from rainforest Country) artisans, craftspeople, and businesses.

Messages from key supporters of Shine On Gimuy.

Our expert Cultural Guides Committee advises on all activities, operations and programming of Shine On Gimuy Festival.