Events

The Biggest Island Party In Australia, at Townsville - Queensland. For the last five years, Full Moon Down Under has become one of Queensland's, and Australia's most iconic events. Full Moon is staged monthly and set on the ridiculously beautiful Magnetic Island's Nelly Beach. They hand pick the artists, bringing the biggest acts Australia and the world has to offer so they can commit to delivering an explosive night full of entertainment. With up to 3,000 people from different parts of the world travelling to experience their unique island party, you can expect nothing less then fire twirlers, body paint, plenty of colour and good times! From sunset to sunrise, it is a night you may or may not remember.

From a 2,000-year-old natural pearl found in a Kimberley rock shelter to modern lustrous pearl jewellery, the exhibition Lustre: Pearling and Australia traces the fascinating heritage of pearling across the north of Australia, from Shark Bay to the Torres Strait Islands. The exhibition delves into the gritty human story of pearling, weaving together intersecting strands of Aboriginal, Asian and European histories to reveal insights into one of Australia’s oldest industries. Discover the intriguing stories behind northern Australia's unique pearling tradition. Immerse yourself in the qualities of the shell itself, its evolution and habitat, and the people who have collected and harvested these treasures from Saltwater Country. The Museum of Tropical Queensland also unravels the layers of pearling in the Torres Strait from a time before Europeans through to the golden age of luggers and beyond.

Manggan – gather, gathers, gathering presents and shares knowledge, stories and art from nine tribal groups of rainforest people from far North Queensland - the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhun, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulnay, Jirrbal and Djiru people. The exhibition includes documentaries, still photographs, weaving and ceramics by 19 internationally renowned artists from the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, together with artefacts from the South Australian Museum Collection of material collected from the Girringun region. Manggan – gather, gathers, gathering is a travelling exhibition in partnership between Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, the South Australian Museum and toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland. This exhibition is supported by the Visions regional touring program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to cultural material for all Australians. It is also supported through the Australian Government's Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program and the Queensland Government, and proudly sponsored by Conrad Gargett and Urban Arts Projects.

Do you have what it takes to be a pirate? Get hands-on with pirate history at this Australian National Maritime Museum travelling exhibition based on the bestselling Horrible Histories series and developed in association with Scholastic UK. Take command of a pirate ship, design and project your own pirate flag, try out different weapons from cutlasses to cannons, find your fate on the wheel of misfortune, discover the best loot to steal and splat rats in the quayside tavern. Along the way, discover why the pirate women were just as wicked as the men and learn to talk the patter of a pirate. Learn about the ships they sailed on, the punishments they suffered and the rules they lived by. The Museum of Tropical Queensland is the first venue in Queensland and only the third in Australia to host this travelling exhibition.

The annual exhibition by Visual Arts students of TAFE Queensland North’s Townsville Campus showcases the talent of the individual artists emerging from the school, and includes traditional 2D art forms, 3D design, sculpture and new media art such as video and animation.

A wise man once said “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story” That wise man was Kurt Phelan. Kurt is no stranger to the stage. He has performed major roles in some of the biggest musicals in Australia over the past decade, including Singin’ In The Rain, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and most recently channelling his inner Patrick Swayze onstage in the national tour of Dirty Dancing. Now, he returns home to Townsville with the show that has taken the country by storm and seen a sellout season in New York City. Phelan Groovy is a cabaret of riotous proportions, full of hit songs you thought you knew before, until now. A hilarious night of unabashed laughter where you will get a personal tour inside the mind of Australia’s newest leading man. Part biographical, part celebrity dish and all laugh a minute entertainment. If growing up has taught him one thing, it was to only say 10 per cent of what he thinks, out loud. Well, you get that other 90 per cent (complete with a killer soundtrack.) So, come and share a night with this North Queensland-Gemini’s-rapid-firing mind, and have a good laugh.

Rugby League World Cup – Townsville to host three pool matches. In 2017, the best players and teams from around the globe will descend on Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea for the Rugby League World Cup. The tournament will see 14 teams play 28 games over five weeks – all hoping to be crowned world cup winners, in what is the pinnacle event in international Rugby League. Townsville Stadium, the home of the North Queensland Cowboys will host three pool matches over two weekends, in what is set to be the biggest sporting event in Australia during 2017. The action will kick off in Townsville, when Fiji take on the USA followed by a double header featuring USA vs Italy and Fiji vs Wales. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be at the Rugby League World Cup in Townsville.

The last run in the Outer Limits Trail Run Series. Join them in the beautiful village above the clouds and run some of the amazing trails this region has to offer. Choose from six kilometres, 10 kilometres or 20 kilometres and have the chance to win some of our amazing prizes. They are giving away over AUD2,000 worth of prizes. The event village will have everything you need, amazing food and coffee vendors, barbecue. fresh fruit and refreshments (free for competitors) and the Outer Limits merchandise and nutrition shop will be on site. Register now online.

On Friday 3 November the Museum will open after hours for adults to discover an incredible pirate playground from 5.30 to 8.30pm. Experience live music, special talks and demonstrations, plus ticket holders will get to explore their latest travelling exhibitions 'Horrible Histories – Pirates: The Exhibition' and 'Lustre: Pearling and Australia' without the kids hogging all the fun! At their leisure, adults can grab a drink and bust some pirate myths with maritime archaeologist Dr Maddy Fowler, meet their collections team and see how shipwreck objects are restored, learn about the development of super oysters to produce perfect pearls, find out what qualities make a pearl valuable and explore the Museum with a special Treasure Map Trail.

Dread Sovereign demonstrates a reconfiguration of the act of drawing in response to digital technologies, culminating in what the artist terms ‘metadrawing.’ Within the exhibition, questions of genre, form and medium are abandoned for an interdisciplinary approach. The internet search engine is adopted into the artist’s toolbox, integrating the countless accessible and disposable images as raw matter for the artist to fossick and sift through. Specific images are selected by McBurnie and reconfigured through studio practice, creating a new imbrication of the raw image matter.

The Ville Resort-Casino present its annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon, proudly supporting The Sky Foundation. Ticket includes a delicious three course menu, five hour premium beverage package, Loloma Jewellers diamond giveaway, fashion parade by Townsville Fashion Festival, 7 network television coverage live on the big screens, TAB facilities, fashions on the field, The Ville best dressed, prizes and Sweepstakes and a pamper zone with hairdresser and makeup artist. Purchase your tickets from the Entertainment Centre in person, or phone them. Subject to availability, change and cancellation. Guest must be 18 years and over to attend. Group bookings must be made in a single transaction to allow group seating allocation. Ticketing fee applied to all online and phone bookings, plus a two per cent transaction fee applies to credit card bookings. The Ville practices the responsible service of alcohol.

Townsville City Council in conjunction with the Townsville and Thuringowa RSL Sub Branches, will host Remembrance Day services on Saturday 11 November to commemorate the official end of hostilities in World War I and to pay respects to those who served our country in this and the various wars since. Members of the public are invited to attend either of the following services: Townsville City, Anzac Park, 10:30am Thuringowa Central, Riverway, 10:45am Further details to be advised.

Vov Dylan is an Australian Violinist with music that flows from every fibre of his body. A third generation musician, Vov was born to the Violin! As a child he became a regular in the Classical music circuit. Alongside the shows, Vov has become a regular in the recording studio where he has now released six studio albums, all of which are available globally and receive frequent airplay on radio stations all over the world.

Calling all adrenaline junkies: The Radical Reels Film Festival is back to set your pulse racing with nine of the world’s best action sport films. This year, the line-up showcases heart-stopping action filled with wild rides, long ski lines, steep jumps, and skillful stunts. Each action-packed short has been handpicked from more than 300 entries to the recent Banff Mountain Festival (the largest and most prestigious mountain-adventure festival in the world). These high-energy excerpts will take you to a place where your heart beats faster, adrenaline courses through your veins and the world whirls by at high speed. Featuring 10 awesome short films this is one night not to be missed.

Experience a once in a lifetime event as the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) prepare to deliver two huge nights of the toughest sport on dirt. It's a showdown like no other - elite cowboys versus the toughest bulls on the planet in a three hour action packed sporting entertainment event that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Cowboys all eager for glory as they strive to overcome the power of the 52 most extreme bucking bulls in a battle of power, agility and the fight of the fittest eight seconds at a time. Choreographed with pyrotechnics, lasers, concert sound system and mega screen replays, with multiple camera angles that will take you behind the scenes and inside the bucking chutes as riders prepare for the ride of their life whilst delivering you the ultimate live event bull riding experience inside the Townsville Entertainment Centre. .

Women in Docs are an independent, folk pop act (with a little bit of country), based in Brisbane. They have been compared to the Indigo Girls, the Dixie Chicks and The Waifs. With a reputation for stirring and humourous live performances and a vigorous touring schedule, Women in Docs have spent ten years building a fiercely loyal following throughout Australia, as well as touring internationally to win over audiences throughout North America, Europe, New Zealand and China. Roz Pappalardo and Chanel Lucas as women in docs have wooed the world with their award-winning songs and live shows which incorporate soaring harmonies, rhythmic guitar and authentic story telling. Their refreshing acoustic style of music, a little bit country, a little bit folk, is a breath of fresh air at any festival. They are loved worldwide by audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds, deserving recognition as one of Australia’s most enduring independent and hardest working acts.

This exhibition is curated from works which are drawn from the City of Townsville Art Collection. The focal point of the show is works with a drawn aspect to their medium, as drawings can be seen as the fundamental skill underpinning most, if not all, forms of visual art.

Women Like Us comedians Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs are different from other comedians, they’re women, they’re mothers, they’re middle aged and they’re country girls. With more than 70 sold-out shows and packed houses at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival’s Enmore Theatre, Adelaide Fringe and Perth Festival, their candid and unique shows get the crowd crying with laughter. Touring constantly around the Australia, the girls are coming to your town soon. Described as a ‘two Tena pad show’. These stories are untold, laugh out loud, women’s stories. Few sacred cows remain unmilked by these two experienced comic, seven children, four husbands and thirty five years of stage time between them, their material is a hilarious firsthand account of parenting, the beauty industry, getting older, getting fatter, strange surgeries, weird television shows, obsessions, and most importantly, who unpacks the dishwasher. Mandy Nolan, a columnist for the Byron Shire Echo, writer for Mamamia, with appearances on ABC's Q&A, SBS's Mums The Word and About Women also a corporate / club comedy performer nationwide. Ellen Briggs, - national Finalist - RAW comedy and winner of Foxtel Comedy Channel's Be A Comedian.

Let them take care of the Christmas Party for you! Celebrate with friends or book in your work team for one of their Giant Christmas Parties in the Grand Ballroom! Purchase tickets at their website.

Townsville's Christmas Festival, Stable on the Strand, celebrates its 16th birthday in 2017 at Townsville's premier event location, Strand Park. Stable on the Strand is one of Australia's most spectacular Christmas events, delighting crowds of 40,000 people over five nights as Christmas is shared with story, song and festivity. Stable on the Strand 2017 will feature the Town of Bethlehem: the story of the birth of Jesus told interactively using live actors as wise men, shepherds, Roman soldiers, King Herod, and of course Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus; camels, chickens, goats, sheep, and a donkey for children to pat; huge carousel in the Stable Village; fabulous youth program; great children's activities; amazing entertainment on the Main Stage with local and guest artists; hospitality areas: enjoy the ambience of Stable on the Strand while enjoying free tea, coffee and Christmas Cake. Entry is free!

It's all glamour and class at this years New Year's eve soiree! Ticket price includes a gourmet three course dinner, five hour beverage package and entertainment by Abbey Road! Menu Freshly baked bread rolls TO START Tiger prawn, crab and lime tian, green pea, chilli oil and micro cress Alternatively served Char grilled harissa spiced lamb fillet, fried chickpea, tabouli and minted yoghurt IN BETWEEN Barkers Creek pork cutlet, rosemary buttered chat potatoes, wilted spinach and beetroot relish Alternatively served Bindaree grain fed eye fillet of beef, pommes Anna, field mushroom, broccolini and thyme jus TO FINISH Strawberry and white chocolate delice, champagne jelly, berry coulis and white chocolate shard Freshly brewed coffee and tea Tickets on sale at their website.

The Elliot's Revenge Trail Run is the second event in the Outer Limits Trail Run Series 2018. This run will take you through the beautiful Bowling Green Bay National Park, testing your stamina on steep hills and satisfying your sense of adventure with creek crossings and challenging trails. With multiple distances to choose from, this event offers fun and challenge to the whole family. There will be prizes for the first three runners in each distance as well as prizes for first place in each age category. Reward yourself with complimentary refreshments after you cross the finish line and enjoy great food and drinks from local food and coffee carts. Registration is now open, get in early as the event sell out quick!

This coming May, Townsville will become North Queensland's fashion capital, full of style, creativity and passion. The Townsville Fashion Festival presented by Escape Travel gives those who love to be styled, love to look great, enjoy being pampered, and find all things creative to be inspiring, a week of activities that will culminate in a Fashion and Creative show for all to adore. TFF will continue to assist in the development of the regional creative industries including retail, design, manufacturing, hair & beauty, photography, art, dance and media. The event has grown to become a programmed product in the regions calendar and now falls in line with the fashion season, events season and Townsville's tropical winter climate.

Outer Limits hosts the Two Bays Trail Run on Magnetic Island. The spectacular run takes you from Nelly Bay to the other side of the Island and finishes at the picture perfect Horseshoe Bay. The event offers a 10 kilometre and a 20 kilometre course, both are challenging and beautiful at the same time.

Townsville's first Pop Culture Event was a roaring success, so they are set to bring everything pop culture to Townsville. There will have movie stars, cosplayers from Australia as well as cartoonist that have done work from the Simpsons to My Little Pony. Join in the cosplay competition , see Doctor Who's Tardis a Dalek and you might even see someone dressed up as the eleventh Doctor. They will have memorabilia from the Infamous Geek(Platinum Sponsor) on site as well. Dioramas from Hemble Creations from Star Trek, Star Wars, Indianna Jones and much much more. There will have vendors travelling from all over Queensland selling everything pop culture so they can't wait to see you in Tropical North Queensland during their beautiful winter 17 to 26 degrees.

Ross River Rush takes in the exciting trail network at the Ross Dam. These trails are usually only accessible for selected mountain bike riders, so don't miss the chance to take in the great views and run these fun and challenging trails. Make sure to stick around once you have finished to enjoy the race HQ atmosphere, refreshments and of course cheers on your fellow runners.

Pop-Up North Queensland (PUNQ) is a festival of pop-up exhibitions and shops to activate empty spaces throughout the Central Business District. The festival will feature all things creative such as films, workshops, and performances. Pop Up North Queensland will bring local and interstate creatives into various spaces across the Central Business District, activating the area and demonstrating the importance of a vibrant and active community and the exciting possibilities of creative business.

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music presents the finest musicians from around the world in a wonderfully unique and innovative nine day program of 30 concerts set in the tropical winter warmth of Townsville, North Queensland. The Festival has been delighting audiences for almost 30 years and has earned an international reputation for the quality of its programming and performances along with its friendly, intimate and relaxed atmosphere. There is truly nothing else like it in the world - the unique combination of music, winter warmth and tropical location create a special atmosphere that entices audiences and artists back year after year.

The McDonald's Townsville Running Festival includes a Marathon (42.2 kilometres) Half Marathon (21.1 kilometres), 10K Classic, adult and junior 5 k Run/Walk, 5 kilometre Corporate Challenge and Hero Run. Their AIMS accredited courses are fast, flat and hug the coastline as well as feature the 43rd Townsville Marathon - Australia's second oldest race. All runners experience spectacular views of the Coral Sea, Magnetic Island and the Marina as they follow their tropical blue line and vie for AUD23,000 prize money. With a predawn start marathoners experience a breath taking sunrise over Cleveland Bay as they run along Townsville's award-winning Strand Beach. Arrive early for the pre-race dinner, take in a Cowboys NRL home game and stay for the famous after-party. Treat yourself to a tropical winter getaway this August. Run Townsville and Explore the region. An event Run by Runners for Runners.

World Age group Qualifier – Olympic Distance, over AUD20,000 in cash and prizes. The TTF is entering its 16th year and is established as a significant race on the National Triathlon circuit as a World Age Group Qualifying Olympic Distance event. The Festival will host the Triathlon Queensland Club Championships North Queensland. The Townsville Triathlon Festival is the “Big Weekend” - a weekend of racing, fun and a full festival atmosphere with an array of events and activities to take part in across one massive weekend. Triathlon is one of the world’s fastest growing sports. To give the Townsville Triathlon Festival a point difference “The Big Weekend” will appeal to all ages and all fitness level wanting to be involved and have fun. The “Big Weekend” provides a unique opportunity that no other Triathlon event in Australia offers, the ability to race in multiple events over one weekend. 11 events across three days. The Festival will also offer dinner competitors entertainment options including the opening night ‘With The Stars’ dinner, the option to go to the North Queensland Cowboys home game on the Saturday night, and post event get together on the Sunday afternoon, as part of the “Big Weekend”.

Their signature event in the Outer Limits Trail Run Series. So close to home and taking in some of the best trails in Townsville with stunning views onto Magnetic Island. The event offers a distance for everyone, a 5 kilometre course for the kids or first timers, 12 kilometres for the runners who are craving more, 21 kilometres- the half marathon distance and of course, Townsville's only full trail marathon, 42 kilometre. Join them for a great day out on the trails.

Enjoy 'A Taste of the Mediterranean' with the Glendi Festival! Glendi is Greek for festivity, revelry, merrymaking ­ - a celebration. Festival goer's senses will come alive with traditional music and dancing displays, delectable foods and cooking demonstrations from around the Mediterranean including Greece, Italy, France and Turkey The festival has always been and continues to be, a free event for over 25,000 attendees. There will also be a variety of children's entertainment and fun­filled activities for the whole family to be involved in. The festival is proud to offer the community an opportunity to reflect on the values and traditions that have helped shape the country and, more importantly, the region.