Cooktown is gearing up for a party, with ARIA-nominated, multi-platinum Australian band Kingswood locked in to headline the 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival in a free Saturday night concert.
As part of their 2026 national Midnight Mavericks tour, Kingswood will take to the Cooktown Discovery Festival stage on Saturday 20 June, bringing their gritty country-rock sound to Festival Village as part of the three-day celebration.
We know people will travel for a weekend like this. Whether you’re coming from interstate, Cairns, the Tablelands, Townsville, or heading north for a Cape York adventure, this is the perfect reason to detour to Cooktown and experience it for yourself
Mayor Cr Robyn Holmes said securing Kingswood marks a major moment for the growing regional event.
“Kingswood are performing in capital cities and major ticketed events across the country, so we’re incredibly proud to welcome them to Cooktown as part of a free community festival,” Cr Holmes said.
“Last year’s Discovery Festival welcomed more than 2,500 people across the weekend, with accommodation occupancy exceeding 90 per cent. We expect this year’s event to build even further on that momentum.
“We know people will travel for a weekend like this. Whether you’re coming from interstate, Cairns, the Tablelands, Townsville, or heading north for a Cape York adventure, this is the perfect reason to detour to Cooktown and experience it for yourself.”
The Cooktown Discovery Festival runs from 19–21 June 2026 and features three full days of markets, live music, cultural experiences, re-enactments, family activities and fireworks, with most events free to attend.
With a nationally touring headline act confirmed and the full program to be released in coming weeks, Council is encouraging visitors to plan ahead and secure accommodation early.
More information will be available soon at cooktownexpo.com.au.
For more information contact Cook Shire Council via email to mail@cook.qld.gov.au or by phoning 4082 0500.
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Pictured above: Alex Laska and Fergus Linacre.