Wonderland Spiegeltent Returns!

The opening act of Port Douglas Carnivale, the spectacular and often wicked Wonderland Spiegeltent starts its season in Port Douglas this Friday, May 17.

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said the Wonderland Spiegeltent show Limbo – Up Close has its first performance on Friday and is a heady mix of cabaret, circus and acrobatics designed to entertain and seduce Port Douglas audiences.

Limbo – Up Close is the first of a trio of Wonderland Spiegeltent shows and will run through to May 26.  

The show takes audiences to another world of breath-taking acrobatics, fire-breathing beauties and mind blowing illusionists. 

It’s all backed by insanely eccentric and sexy beats from New York’s musical “scientist” Sxip Shirey.

“The Spiegeltent is a luxurious and exciting setting for some of the most unique and exhilarating performances to be seen in Tropical North Queensland,” she said. 

The venue will also host the very adult Debauched with a line-up of burlesque superstars and the very family friendly Circus Wonderland – A Mermaid’s Tale which will keep generations astounded with the agility and ability of its cast.

The 25th Port Douglas Carnivale celebration runs from May 24 to 26 and is packed with festive entertainment. There are more than 40 events this year and 38 live music shows.

Many of the events are free and there are special events for children so the whole family can join in the fun in the sun. The headline act for the big Saturday night gig is crowd favourite Eskimo Joe.

“Port Douglas Carnivale is the social event of the year,” Mayor Leu added. “It is a great weekend, with some fantastic free and ticketed events.”

New this year is a glamourous gala dinner with superb entertainment from Abba-solutely Fabulous (Rhonda Burchmore and Lara Mulcahy) who will bring the hilarity as well as the harmonies.

With a theme of Silver and Sunshine the Macrossan Street Parade on Friday May 24 is set to really shine. 

Following the massive street parade and fireworks, Out! At Carnivale will take over the night with a gathering of fun, frivolity and fabulousness.

Carnivale this year also has pop up pop art in Microcosm, a huge inflatable and colourful representation of the Great Barrier Reef. This playful piece will be at various venues over the long weekend.

Get ready to party Port Douglas – for a full program of events and tickets go to www.carnivale.com.au