Australian Festival of Chamber Music runs 24th July to 1st August 2026

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music is expected to contribute $3.1 million to Queensland’s economy when it runs in Cairns-Gimuy from 24th July to 1st August 2026.

Queensland expects the nine-day event to draw visitors to Tropical North Queensland for concerts at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Saint Monica’s Cathedral and on the Spirit of Cairns.

Opening night on Friday 24th July will feature Artistic Director Jack Liebeck, the British violinist who leads the festival alongside an international ensemble.

Andrew Powell, Queensland’s Minister for the Environment and Tourism, linked the event to the state’s visitor strategy. “These are the kinds of events that drive our Destination 2045 vision – encouraging visitors to stay longer, experience more and support communities across Queensland, while delivering a strong boost to the state’s economy.”

The 2026 programme includes Interrupted Endings, Schubert’s Winterreise reimagined for the tropics, a Holocaust-era work completed 80 years later, and Wonderful World.

Wonderful World is curated by French cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca. It pairs nature cinematography with music from Faure to Philip Glass.

Stefan Dohr and Piers Lane

The line-up includes Berlin Philharmonic Principal Horn Stefan Dohr, former AFCM artistic director Piers Lane, Christian-Pierre La Marca and Irish tenor Robin Tritschler.

Meanwhile, Sitkovetsky Piano Trio and pianist Alexander Krichel will make their festival debuts in Cairns-Gimuy.

Australian composer Lee Bradshaw completed January 25, 1945, an unfinished work by Czech composer Gideon Klein. AFCM Pathways Emerging Composer in Residence Sam Wu wrote two new works for the festival, while British composer Alex Turley will present a new work for flute and string quartet.

Australian performers include Perth violinist Emmalena Huning, Melbourne oboist Emmanuel Cassimatis, Sydney flautist Joshua Batty, Brisbane guitarist Karin Schaupp, Julian Smiles, Stefanie Farrands, Ben Jacks, Lloyd Van’t Hoff, Kees Boersma, Simon Martyn Ellis and Bethany Simons.

Melbourne-born cellist Charlotte Miles, now based in Germany, is also returning for the 2026 festival.

John-Paul Langbroek, Queensland’s Minister for the Arts, called the move to Cairns a new era for the event. The festival briefing says audiences will hear performances at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Saint Monica’s Cathedral and on the Coral Sea aboard the Spirit of Cairns.

The festival will also include Cairns at 150, an evening concert tracing the city’s history through music from several centuries.

AFCM is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, Cairns Regional Council, the Ian Potter Foundation, and the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia.