Global celebration of food, music and culture coming to Queens Park

Published on 19 October 2026

Get ready to dance, taste and celebrate your way around the world – all without leaving Mackay!

Global Grooves 2026 is set to transform Queens Park into a vibrant global party this Saturday, October 24, from 3pm to 8pm.

This free family event will be a feast for the senses, bursting with cultural dances, global music, traditional dress, workshops and mouthwatering food from across the globe.

With 13 cultural dance groups and bands lighting up the stage, the entertainment will be non-stop.

From the fiery rhythms of Latin America to the graceful movements of Thai and Malayalee Indian performers, the lineup promises an unforgettable showcase of diversity.

Mayor Greg Williamson said this year’s performances would be exceptional.

“Included in the exciting stage lineup will be Latin, Irish, Scottish, Thai, Indian, Filipino, Indonesian and Chinese performances, in additional to a First Nations Welcome and Smoking Ceremony to kick off the event,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It is fantastic to have both returning and new community groups join us in sharing their traditions and performances at Global Grooves,” he said.

“There will also be a number of workshops happening over the course of the event, including weaving, painting, martial arts, traditional Chinese children’s games and a Mercenaries of Western Europe village, plus more.”

And of course, no cultural celebration is complete without food! With 17 food vendors serving up everything from Filipino street eats and Thai flavours to Greek and Italian treats, dumplings, curries and woodfired pizza, your tastebuds are in for a world tour.

There’ll also be a colourful array of market stalls with traditional fashion, accessories and gifts.

Global Grooves is an initiative of Mackay Regional Council.

Stage schedule:

• 3.40pm – Annette Worthington
• 3.55pm – Maya Batra
• 4.20pm – Piping MaD
• 4.45pm – Viva Band
• 5.10pm – Fitzgerald State School – Sea to Strength: A Mackay South Sea Islander Story
• 5.25pm – Claddagh Irish Dance
• 5.40pm – Mackay Filipino Australian Community, Inc
• 6pm – Mackay Chinese Association Qld Inc: Fan Dancing
• 6.10pm – Thai Aussie Community Mackay
• 6.25pm – Mudra Dance Academy
• 6.50pm – Mackay Chinese Association Qld Inc: Face Changing
• 7pm – Mackay Malayalee Association Inc
• 7.30pm – Latin Roots Dance and Workshop

Workshops

• From 3pm – Mercenaries of Western Europe
• From 3pm – M&K MASSI MATSI Coconut Painting
• From 3pm – Freed Class – Traditional Chinese children’s games
• 3.30pm - 5.30pm – Mudra Dance Academy – Indian classical dance, Bharatanatyam
• 3pm - 7pm – African Hair Braiding by Nyasha’s Hair Studio
• 4pm - 6pm – Weaving with Lee George from ATSI
• 4pm - 5pm and 5.30pm – 6pm – Boxon Muay Thai Mackay – Thai martial arts for fitness and fun
• From 3.45pm – Weaving with PJ – Traditional craft skills from Papua New Guinea and South Pasifika

Food Vendors:

• Boosted Barbecue
• Mackay Filipino Australian Community, Inc
• Jass Asian Shop
• Porters Reserve
• Amanda Dumpling
• Rio’s Rolls and Bowls
• SOI RICH
• Mackay Thai Street Food
• Ammos Shak
• Dumpling Hut Mackay
• Cream & Bean
• Marshall's Catering
• Rubie Rush
• The Pineapple Shack
• Nonno’s Woodfired
• Dutch Pofferties House
• Greek Gyros

For more information, head to www.ourmackay.com.au/globalgrooves