Cook Shire is set for a vibrant and action-packed school holiday period, with a wide range of free and low-cost activities running across Cooktown, Coen, Laura, Lakeland and Bloomfield from 29 June to 10 July 2026.
Families can look forward to two weeks of fun, creativity, sport and community connection, with events designed for children and young people of all ages across the region.
From swimming pool activities and library workshops to theatre performances, movies, sport, cultural programs and community events, the program offers something for everyone during the winter school break.
Cool off and get active at the Cooktown Pool
The Cooktown Swimming Pool will host its popular Splash N’ Play sessions every Tuesday and Thursday during the school holidays from 10:30am – 12:30pm, giving kids the chance to enjoy pool games, activities and free play in a safe and supervised environment.
Libraries bring creativity across the Shire
Cook Shire Libraries will deliver a hands-on holiday program across Cooktown, Lakeland and Bloomfield, featuring cardboard crafts, lantern making, Indigenous sand art, scavenger hunts and NAIDOC-inspired creative activities.
All sessions will run from 10:30am–12:30pm on sets days across Cook Shire Libraries and are designed to encourage creativity, learning and connection during the school break. Check out the school holiday events calendar for invididual events.
Laura Family Fun Day
Families in Laura can enjoy a full day of free holiday entertainment at the Laura Town Hall on Tuesday 30 June from 10:00am to 1:00pm, featuring water slides, chalk art, creative activities, early years play spaces and disaster preparedness experiences.
The event also includes free snacks and refreshments, creating a relaxed and welcoming space for families to connect and enjoy the school holidays together.
Coen community program packed with activities
Coen will host a week of free activities including library fun, soccer, basketball, water play and a family movie night at the Town Hall.
The program is designed to keep young people active, engaged and connected with their community throughout the school holidays.
Cooktown Events Centre to host major holiday program
The Cooktown Events Centre will be a central hub of activity these school holidays, offering drop-in sports sessions, movie afternoons, creative workshops and live performance experiences.
Families can enjoy:
- Drop-in sports sessions, Monday afternoons from 3pm-4:30pm
- Friday afternoon movies featuring Lilo & Stitch (2025) and Toy Story 4, movies starting from 3pm
- Ulla Art Chalk Drawing Workshops (bookings essential) BOOK NOW!
- Catbird Theatre performances and workshops (bookings essential) BOOK NOW!
The Ulla Art Chalk Workshops will see participants create large-scale collaborative chalk artwork while learning new techniques, alongside disaster preparedness information provided by the Bushfire CRRO team.
Catbird Theatre will bring imaginative storytelling to Cooktown with live performances and hands-on workshops combining puppetry, music, movement and poetry. Bookings are required for both workshop programs via TryBooking.
A holiday program for the whole Shire
Across Cook Shire, the school holiday program brings together sport, arts, culture and community events designed to keep young people active, creative and connected.
Families are encouraged to check individual event details on the school holidays calendar, booking requirements and locations, and take part in the many activities on offer across the region.