Queensland Backs 70 Multicultural Events with $500,000 in Grants for 2026
Queensland’s multicultural communities will share half a million dollars in new state funding, with 70 community organisations supported to deliver cultural events across the state in the first half of 2026.
Grants for 70 multicultural events
The Queensland Government has announced Round 1 outcomes of the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland grants program, confirming $500,000 in funding for festivals and events from the Gold Coast to Cairns.
Each successful organisation will receive a grant of up to $20,000 to support multicultural and intercultural events scheduled between 1 January and 30 June 2026.
Focus on cohesion and participation
Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, Fiona Simpson, said the program recognises Queensland’s diverse heritage while promoting social cohesion and community participation.
She said there had been strong interest in Round 1 and welcomed the opportunity to back a broad spread of culturally diverse events across the state.
Events across Queensland
Funded events range from major cultural festivals to regional community celebrations.
Recipients include the Cairns Greek Festival, Afrekete 2026 Rhythm & Roots Intercultural Day in Townsville, Murweh Shire Council’s Welcome to Charleville 2026, the Whitsunday Multicultural Festival, and the Sri Lankan Association of Central Queensland’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebration 2026.
Support has also been announced for events such as the Gladstone Islamic Open Day and Eid Celebration, the 13th International Food Festival and Mosque Open Day in Toowoomba, St George Dragon Boat Festival, the Sunshine Coast Chinese
Association’s Lunar New Year Lantern Festival, Celebrating Iraqi Cultural Day in Moreton Bay, and Indian Traditional New Year Celebrations 2026 in Brisbane.
Multicultural sporting and community events including the Queensland Fiji Football Association’s QCUP 2026, the Mandela Cup 2026 in Brisbane’s south-west, and the Philippine Independence Day Celebration Gala and Holi Festival on the Gold Coast are also among those to receive support.
Government’s multicultural agenda
Minister Simpson said the Crisafulli Government was delivering “a fresh start” for multicultural communities after what she described as a decade of decline under the previous Labor administration.
She said the government was committed to building stronger communities and ensuring multicultural Queenslanders are supported to share and celebrate their cultures.
Second round still open
The Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program has been split into two funding rounds of $500,000 this year to provide year-round support for festivals and events.
Round 2 applications remain open until 13 December for community organisations planning multicultural and intercultural sporting events between 1 July and 31 December 2026, with applications to be submitted via the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multicultural Affairs website.
English