Plan Your Festival
What’s On
Explore the full weekend lineup including KINGSWOOD LIVE!
Festival Program
Day-by-day schedule
Busking CompetitionÂ
Register or support local talent
Attending the
festival?
Tell us what you think and fill out the survey
Where to Stay
Find your perfect base
Our Story
Celebrating culture & connection
Take a detour and head for Adventure
Every June, Cooktown comes alive for a weekend of connection, celebration and culture. Set against the backdrop of the Waalmbal Birri – Endeavour River, the Discovery Festival is your invitation to slow down and soak up something special in one of Queensland’s most historic and scenic towns.
Culture & Connection
Experience stories of the Guugu Yimithirr people and frontier history.
Scenic Adventure
Set against the Endeavour River and the breath-taking Cape York Peninsula.
Festival Energy
Markets, live music, workshops and celebration for all ages.
Step into Story & Celebration
Located north of Cairns, travelling to Cooktown is an adventure all on its own. A breathtakingly beautiful and still relatively unspoilt region of the Cape York Peninsula. Cooktown is accessible via plane or road, both travel options promise adventure and spectacular views.
Held from 19th – 21st June, the festival blends riverfront markets, free live music, and hands-on workshops with deep cultural experiences and a touch of frontier history. Hear the stories of the Guugu Yimithirr people, watch traditional dance performances, and retrace Captain Cook’s historic landing – all in the one place.
Stay Updated with the Latest!
The festival may be over, but we still want to hear from you!
What a weekend! The 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival brought our community together for three incredible days of entertainment, culture, history, food, markets and family fun. The festival attracted some of the biggest crowds seen in years, with an estimated 800...
Discovery Festival delivers another unforgettable weekend for Cooktown
The 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival has wrapped up after a spectacular weekend of live music, community celebration, culture, creativity and good old-fashioned Cooktown hospitality, attracting record crowds from across the region and beyond. Across three...
Attending the Festival? Tell Us What You Think!
The Cooktown Discovery Festival is all about celebrating our unique history, culture, community and the people who make this event so special. Whether you're visiting for the first time or you're a long-time festival supporter, we'd love to hear about your experience....
Fireworks exclusion zone for boaters.
Planning to enjoy the Cooktown Discovery Festival fireworks from the water? Boat users are reminded that a temporary exclusion zone will be in place on Saturday 20 June 2026 from 1PM to 9PM for the festival's spectacular fireworks display. To ensure the event can be...
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