Combining fountains, water screens, lasers, holograms, projection, lighting, digital art and immersive sound, Laservision has transformed Cairns Esplanade and Lagoon into a spectacular nighttime destination across five consecutive Cairns Festivals from 2022–2026.
Launching with Reef Lights in 2022, Laservision transformed the Lagoon and more than 30,000 square metres of Esplanade parkland into an immersive underwater world celebrating the Great Barrier Reef. The inaugural experience attracted more than 100,000 spectators across 10 nights.
Returning in 2023 and 2024, Reef Lights evolved through new narratives, immersive technologies and Indigenous creative collaboration. In 2025, the popular Reef Lights was reimagined as Canvas of Cairns, introducing a new generation of large-scale light, water and interactive experiences across the Esplanade and Lagoon.
In 2026, Canvas of Cairns continues the evolution with Cycles, a new Lagoon spectacular combining a vast curtain of water with light, movement and projection as part of Cairns’ 150th anniversary celebrations.
Across five consecutive festivals, Laservision has partnered with Cairns Regional Council to continually reimagine the Cairns Esplanade and Lagoon through technology, art and storytelling.
From the colour and fanfare of the Grand Parade and the spectacular Reef Lights at the Esplanade Lagoon to world-class music, theatre and art exhibitions, and you have a feast to awaken your senses. Reef Lights were once again one of the big protagonists of Cairns Festival with thousands walking around the Esplanade to see the captivating lasers, digital artistry and entrancing soundscapes. Festival favourite Reef Lights, the spectacular light and laser display over the Cairns Lagoon returns every night. Returns ... to transform Roma Street Parkland into a light-filled playground for four dazzling weeks.” The Enchanted Garden is a family favourite that always sells out in record time, bringing thousands of residents to the city to celebrate the holidays.” The luminous show lets you see one of the city's favourite places in a completely new light.”
Laservision continually evolved its Cairns Festival nighttime experience, celebrating the reef, rainforest, culture and stories of Far North Queensland.
In 2022, Reef Lights transformed the Esplanade into an underwater world celebrating the Great Barrier Reef, with marine life, coral gardens and bioluminescent environments extending throughout the precinct.
In 2023, Reef Lights explored where the rainforest meets the reef, connecting the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest through water, light, digital art and sound.
In 2024, the story followed Marla the Stingray on a journey across the Great Barrier Reef exploring environmental stewardship. The narrative and artwork were developed by emerging Indigenous creatives through Indigenous Design Labs.
In 2025, Reef Lights evolved into Canvas of Cairns, with Fragments of Light transforming the Lagoon into a cosmic universe of fractured light and dynamic 3D imagery alongside immersive installations across the Esplanade.
In 2026, Cycles transforms a vast curtain of water over the Lagoon into a canvas for shifting light, movement and imagery, complemented by installations across the Esplanade celebrating Cairns’ 150th anniversary.
Delivering a large-scale multimedia experience across the Cairns Esplanade and Lagoon for consecutive festival nights requires extensive planning, technical expertise and coordination.
Laservision’s Operations and Technical teams, working in partnership with Cairns Regional Council, have been responsible for ensuring the experience remains show-ready while operating sophisticated multimedia systems within one of Cairns’ busiest public precincts.
Tropical weather, outdoor conditions and significant festival crowds require robust systems and ongoing monitoring. Fountains, water screens, projection, lasers, lighting, audio, interactive installations and special effects are coordinated and maintained throughout each festival.
Across five consecutive years, Laservision has continually evolved its contribution to Cairns Festival, transforming the Esplanade and Lagoon into an immersive celebration of the region, its stories, cultures and natural environment after dark.
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