Event Guide

Friday 4 August

Mackay Disability Expo

Friday, 9:00am

The Mackay Disability Expo will offer a crucial opportunity for people with a disability to find out about the latest products, services, technology, aids, and equipment.

Mackay Showgrounds

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

The James Morrison Quartet

Friday, 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Internationally acclaimed jazz musician and multi-instrumental virtuoso James Morrison performs live in Mackay! A Mackay Festival of Arts event - Whitsunday Anglican School Oval will transform into a major entertainment outdoor hub, with James Morrison and his renowned jazz quartet headlining on the big stage, under the stars. Supporting acts include James Morrison performing alongside the talented Whitsunday Anglican School Junior and Senior bands, and the Whitsunday Big Band.

Whitsunday Anglican School

Mackay International Film Festival

Friday, 7:00pm to Sunday

Mackay International Film Festival commences with the Opening Night Event on Friday, August 4 and a screening of ‘The Innocent’, with French-themed canapes and drinks after the film included in the $30 ticket. The festival continues Saturday with a screening of Moroccan drama ‘The Blue Caftan’ from 4:00pm and ‘Limbo’ with a live Q&A with Director Ivan Sen to follow. Sunday’s screenings include the Darren Aronofsky drama ‘The Whale’, and Spanish-Italian drama ‘Alcarras’. For tickets and more information, visit filmartsmackay.weebly.com/2023-miff.html.

BCC Cinemas Mount Pleasant

ACCA DACCA plus GUNNERS

Friday, 7:30pm

Experience the ultimate double header with this tribute to AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses.

Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls Club

Saturday 5 August

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Saturday, 3:00pm

Experience a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with tea expert Geeta Harmon. Geeta runs bespoke workshops with The Rabbit Studio, Brisbane. At Artspace Mackay, she will demonstrate the history and principles of Chado – the ‘Way of Tea’. Participants will be served a ‘seasonal tea sweet’ followed by a ceremonial grade Matcha Tea, learn to whisk Matcha the traditional way, and discover practical methods for preparing Matcha at home. Geeta will also guide participants through a simple meditation that may be used on a daily basis. Held during the final weekend of Artspace’s 20th Birthday Exhibition Fire and Ash: Woodfire Pottery of Arthur and Carol Rosser, this unique demonstration will inspire you to relax and bring the nourishing, calming ritual into your daily life! $30 per person, visit Eventbrite for tickets.

Artspace Mackay

Pasifika Mackay 2023

Saturday, 4:00pm

Always wanted to travel to the Pacific Islands and on? Well look no further than Pasifika Mackay! Brought to you by local and QLD pacific communities, Pasifika transports you through cultural crafts, food, song, and performing arts. This annual event allows local and regional pacific communities to work together as one team or family to celebrate pacific culture and experiences that build pride and awareness. Everyone is welcome to come and join in on the festivities!

Meadowlands Amphitheatre

Mackay Choral Society presents Come Fly With Me

Saturday, 7:30pm and Sunday, 2:00pm

Sign up for this musical Contiki tour as the Mackay Choral Society takes you on the trip of a lifetime. A musical tour of hits from around the world, both new and familiar, the program for Come Fly With Me has been in the planning for almost a year. With beautiful arrangements and a gorgeous musical blend, Come Fly With Me will have you tapping your toes and perhaps even singing along.

Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music

Sunday 6 August

Lift the Lid Walk Mackay

Sunday, 8:00am

Join Lift the Lid Walk to raise funds for mental health research. The Lift the Lid Walk event is a national initiative used to raise awareness on mental illness across Australia. It gives communities an opportunity to come together and Lift the Lid on mental illness. Everyone is welcome, including dogs, for an 8km walk & talk (it's not a race!) 8am registration for a 9am start. Cost: $32 per registration (kids 15 & under free). Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle on the day. All proceeds will be donated to Australian Rotary Health.

Bluewater Quay

RSPCA Mackay Supporter Morning Tea

Sunday, 10:30am to 12:00pm

To thank the Mackay region for their support, RSPCA Mackay is inviting you to their Supporter Morning Tea. These events are an opportunity for like-minded animal lovers to join together for a casual morning and learn more about what the RSPCA does in the local area. The local inspector will also be in attendance. This event is free and everyone is welcome, however RSVPs are essential. Please call 07 3426 9937 or email supporterday@rspcaqld.org.au.

RSPCA Animal Care Campus

Sunday Live Music – BIG PUPS

Sunday, 2:00pm

Get ready, Mackay, because Big Pups is rolling into town! The legendary musician has embarked on his annual tour to the Cape, and this time he's bringing the Loving The Life Tour to the Seabreeze Hotel. It's an event you won't want to miss!

Seabreeze Hotel

Passport To Airlie Mackay

Sunday, 2:00pm to 7:00pm

Join Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Bricklane Brewing and The Metropolitan Hotel as they search for Australia's best live and original emerging artists and find someone from the Mackay region to head to Airlie Beach Festival of Music in November.

The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

Monday 7 August

Homeless Week 2023

Monday to Thursday, 10:00am to 12:00pm

Visit CASA - Community Accommodation & Support Agency Inc. on Facebook to find out what’s planned for Homeless Week 2023, including Money Matters, CASA Chats, Community Day and Handy Homeless Hacks.

CASA - Community Accommodation & Support Agency Inc.

Emma Memma

Monday, 10:00am to 11:00am and 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Emma Memma is delighted to announce that she will be twirling her way to sunny Far North Queensland in her Butterfly Bus with her friends Elvin Melvin, BB Butterfly and Waffles The Wombat! Empowering the next generation through movement, creativity, inclusiveness and friendship, Emma Memma with her love of dance, sign language and music, brings visual communication to the forefront of the children’s media space and fans will get to immerse themselves in this sparkling experience on Emma Memma’s Twirly Tour. Families are encouraged to dress in Emma Memma and Elvin Melvin’s favourite colours: orange, pink and green!

BCC Cinemas Mount Pleasant

Wednesday 9 August

Teen Shed Mackay Teen Circle

Every Wednesday, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Teen Circle is a place for all teens in the community to come together. It's a safe space for them to connect, heal & learn from each other. They can be seen, heard & understood with no judgement. It's a space to honour the uniqueness of each individual, everyone is equal. They will be able to speak from their hearts about things that trouble, annoy, frustrate them. This gathering will be held every Wednesday, all teenagers are welcome to attend. It is a free event, but attendees are asked to register for numbers.

Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm

Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

Thursday 10 August

Mackay Riverside Market

Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Come and meet your local growers, bakers and makers, chill on the lawn listening to some beautiful tunes and grab some delicious dinner and desert.

Bluewater Quay

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Mackay Disability Expo

James Morrison

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Pasifika Mackay

Emma Memma

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