Charlotte Street Comes Alive with Music at the Cooktown Post Office Busking Competition.
Guitars echoing down the street. Crowd applause rolling between shopfronts. A soulful acoustic set stopping festivalgoers in their tracks.
The Cooktown Post Office Busking Competition is back for the 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival, bringing a full day of live street performance, local talent and festival energy to Charlotte Street on Saturday 20 June.
From 8:30am to 3:30pm, the heart of Cooktown transforms into an open-air stage as performers from across the region compete for cash prizes, crowd votes and a chance to perform on the Festival Village main stage.
Whether it’s stripped-back acoustic sessions, upbeat crowd favourites or unforgettable original performances, no two acts are the same, and discovering your next favourite performer is all part of the experience.
Open to both emerging young artists and seasoned performers, the competition features:
Junior category: Ages 12–17
Open category: Ages 18+
Winners from each category will earn the opportunity to perform as part of the official Cooktown Discovery Festival program.
Proudly sponsored by Cooktown Post Office, the Busking Competition is one of the most interactive and energetic events of the festival weekend, creating the perfect soundtrack as visitors wander through Cooktown’s iconic main street.
Come along, support local talent, cast your vote and soak up the atmosphere.
