Townsville Events Listings

Australian Festival of Chamber Music

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music is a tropical paradise of amazing music, warm weather and friendly people. The Festival is held over 10 days every July and August in Townsville, North Queensland. Over 30 musicians from all around the world participate each year, delivering a sensational line-up of over 25 amazing classical music concerts. Standouts include Concert Conversations; the one hour Sunset Series concerts; and the breathtaking beach concert, this year at Radical Bay on Magnetic Island. In 2013, musicians will come from the UK, USA, Latvia, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore and Australia. Artistic Director Piers Lane has created a programme filled with brilliant combinations of new, old, favourite, interesting and much loved classical music works and composers. Visitors to the Festival can attend as little or as much as they like whilst enjoying the relaxing, tropical setting and a wonderful array of local attractions and activities.

Blockbuster

Blockbuster explores the origins of LEGO™, bringing together the history, design and impact LEGO™ has played upon popular culture. The exhibition will feature large scale LEGO™ creations by Australia's only LEGO™ certified professional Ryan McNaught AKA The Brickman. McNaught says, "Making interactive models and building experiences is my speciality, building things that people can not only be inspired by but interact with allows an amazing flexibility, giving a remote control or allowing people hands on exposure in the build process really does make for a great experience." Blockbuster will be an interactive exhibition that will thrill the young and young at heart.

Chefs in the North Dinner

Fine food, fine music and a lyrical tropical setting - it's no wonder that Chefs in the North has become one of the most sought after events of the year. Held on the night before the opening of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, this eighth Chefs in the North dinner will showcase North Queensland's outstanding local produce accompanied by the best Australian wines in a superb degustation menu prepared by some of Australia's finest chefs. Set on the lawns of Jupiters Casino overlooking Magnetic island, chamber music performances programmed by Piers Lane and performed by Festival guest artists completes an unforgettable night under the stars.

Cultural Fest

Cultural Fest is a five day celebration of performance, arts and food in tropical North Queensland. Join them to experience the spirit and passion of hundreds of artists, dancers and singers. Located on Townsville's stunning beachfront, visitors can enjoy non-stop dynamic performances, shop at over 70 craft stalls and enjoy food from around the globe.

Exhibition Opening: Energies and Crossings

Join them for the launch of two exhibitions including "Energies and Crossings: Connecting to 'Place'" by Sandi Hook. North Queensland complexity is interpreted visually as sites of transition of those who have travelled and explored 'place'. The interests, attitudes and agendas of people living in the area from the 19th to 21st centuries produces differing ways of understanding and appreciating the multiple identities of this region. In this body of work the presence of the explorers in a specific site is investigated with the knowledge that other groups and cultures have also travelled similar paths and crossings. Reflecting on the differing cultural and environmental layers, this body of work echoes new and unique stories.

Its My Party

Gruff, Aussie family man Ron is convinced he is dying. With less than two hours to live, in a gesture of loving finality he hosts a party to break the news and offer his wife and children a few last quality moments. Like all great comedy, expect laughter but the elbow jabbing at your ribs could be sharper than expected

Mozarts Don Giovanni

Acclaimed writer and director Michael Gow takes to Mozart's Don Giovanni with a radical approach!"It's really fast - paced , really passionate, really violent and really funny" he says. "If you've never been to the Opera before, this is a great one. It's got the big operatic numbers, a very famous duet, some comedy and a great twist at the end!"

North Queensland Open Tennis Championships

Everybody of all ages, come along and enjoy watching some high quality tennis at North Queensland's Premier Tennis Centre. This is a free event being held in Townsville, behind the Townsville Grammar School. The finals are scheduled for Monday morning. So come along and show your support and enjoy watching tennis.

Possum Magic - Townsville

Grandma Poss made bush magic. She made wombats blue and Kookaburra's pink, Dingo's smile and Emu's Shrink, but the best magic of all was the "Possum Magic", that made Baby Hush invisible. Grandma Poss makes little Hush possum invisible to protect her from snakes and other dangers of the bush. When Hush wants to be visible again, Grandma Poss can't remember how. She only remembers that it has something to do with 'people food'. In Possum Magic, journey around Australia with Grandma Poss and Hush in search of people food that will make Hush visible again.

RACQ Insurance North Queensland Games

Multi sport festival is to be held in Townsville. This event will feature over 45 sports for the beginner, master, child, elite and athletes with a disability. Various sports "host" an event across the Townsville region. Townsville will also be hosting dining, holiday, entertainment and community events in conjunction with the sports feast. Sports will be listed on the web site under the North Queensland Games tab.

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week

Bringing together the excitement of competitive sailing and the ambience of Magnetic Island each September, SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week offers an experience to remember. With top notch racing, live bands and partying galore, the shore side program of this annual regatta is sure to leave you wanting more year after year. You don't need to be a competitive sailor to participate in this great event, there is something available for everyone whether it be jumping onboard the a racing yacht or partying after dark with the crews at one of the social functions

Strand Ephemera

Strand Ephemera is Townsville's biennial outdoor sculpture festival. The exhibition was recognised as the Best Festival/Event at the 2012 North Queensland Tourism Awards, and beyond the stunning artworks offers workshops, talks and performances for the visiting public. Held along the two kilometre strand recreational area, it sites highly engaging and creative artworks within an idyllic landscape. In 2013 there is an additional focus on works that can be viewed at night. Strand Ephemera is organised by Townsville City Council's Gallery Services and programs are assisted by a volunteer task force.

The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps is a side splitting comedy for all the family, featuring 150 characters played by four actors. Based on the 1935 Hitchcock spy thriller movie and novel by John Buchan, the stage production is currently the longest running comedy in the West End and winner of major theatrical prizes from Tony Awards to the Olivier and Helpmann Awards. A production by Christine Harris and Hit Productions.

The Comedians

The Comedians, feel like you're in a traditional comedy club without sacrificing the comfort of the theatre. Enjoy the biggest comedy stars, plenty of audience interaction and a variety of comedy styles with top Australian stars. Three hilarious head liners keep you on your toes and leave you with an unforgettable night. Starring Fiona O'Loughlan, Bob Franklin and Ethel Chop.

The Comedy of Errors - Townsville

The Comedy of Errors is a short farcial comedy built around slapstick and mistaken identity. It is the story of two sets of identical twins that were accidentally separated at birth. A series of wild mishaps ensue that lead to wrongful beatings, a near seduction, an arrest and false accusations of infidelity, theft, madness and demonic possession.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Townsville

A bold, irreverent romp through all 37 of Shakespeare's plays! Blazing hilarity that aims to out-Python Monty! In our "time-poor" world, who has enough hours in the day to tackle the daunting length of such a conon? A must-see, side-splitting rollercoaster ride, including the fastest, funniest "Hamlet" your ever likely to see.

Townsville Fashion Festival

A world-class event - the Carmichael Motors Mercedes Benz Townsville Fashion Festival. For the first time this year, Townsville city will come alive with an exciting program that celebrates the art form that is fashion. Three events over three days full of national and state designers, cutting-edge styling and theatre. Don't miss your chance to have front row seats

Townsville Triathlon Festival

The Townsville Triathlon Festival is an annual, two day, action-packed sporting festival with events that cater to every age, fitness level and competitive level. This is North Queensland's largest triathlon festival, attracting competitors from all over Australia. Within its first year the festival had 80 competitors, now with the size of competition (2012 hosting to over 6,000 competitors and spectators), the event has had to change locations twice! Experience the beautiful scenery of The Strand, with stunning views of Magnetic Island just from the shore, while racing along the professional and flat course that this festival has to offer. Whether you're at high competitive level or just want to get out and have some competitive fun! The five events include a Kids TRY Series Triathlon and Duathlon, Sprint and Enticer Distance Triathlon, five kilometre Fun Run/Walk, Criterium Cycle Race, and the TP Human Capital Corporate Triathlon.

Troy Dunn Invitational

One of the greatest bull riding events on Australia's bull riding calendar, the PBR Troy Dunn Invitational returns to Townsville, bringing with it all the action, glamour and fan-fare of the toughest sport on dirt. The competition is going to be fierce with only 14 of Australia's highest ranked bull riders in the world standings eligible to compete along with eight international riders representing the USA, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. The elite team of riders will all ride twice in the new competition format with the top eight proceeding to the championship round where they will face off against eight of Queensland's toughest bulls, which have been hand-picked by Australia's only ever PBR World Champion, Troy Dunn. .

V8 Supercars Sucrogen Townsville 400

The Sucrogen Townsville 400 is back! Be part of the on track action as the new generation of V8 Supercars hit the track for three days of racing and a Saturday night concert featuring rock legends the Hoodoo Gurus and Ian Moss. Kids 12 and under receive free general admission with a paying adult. Book now at ticketek!