Welcome to the Great Barrier Reef Festival!
Three days of reef, colour, community and celebration in the heart of Airlie Beach.
In 2026, the festival returns bigger, brighter, and ready to celebrate 25 INCREDIBLE YEARS — and yes, we’re throwing a birthday party to remember. Proudly presented by Cruise Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef Festival transforms the Airlie Beach foreshore into a weekend packed with live music, fireworks, art, parades, family fun, and unforgettable festival energy, all with a touch of SILVER for this milestone year.
For 25 years, locals and visitors have gathered by the shore to celebrate the reef, the region, and the community spirit that makes the Whitsundays so special. In 2026, that celebration shines a little brighter, with our SILVER ANNIVERSARY set to weave its way through the festival in creative, colourful, and unexpected ways. It’s shimmering nights, birthday vibes, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Watch the skies light up during the spectacular Friday Night Fireworks, soak up the atmosphere at Saturday’s vibrant Street Parade, check out the chrome and classics at the Revvin’ the Reef Car Show, and enjoy a full day of fun at the beloved Family Fun Day.
Wander the foreshore and experience IMMERSE, the festival’s larger-than-life reef art installation created from recycled materials — where marine life, creativity, and sustainability collide in a colourful celebration of the reef we all love.
Whether you’re dancing in the streets, gathering with friends, or visiting the Whitsundays for the very first time, the Great Barrier Reef Festival is where the community comes together to celebrate everything that makes this region unforgettable.
25 years. One reef. One giant birthday celebration by the sea.
Events
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