Mackay’s City Centre has come alive in spectacular fashion as Daly Bay Illuminate lights up the night.
Kicking off on Thursday, July 24, the city has been transformed into a glowing wonderland, with giant amphibian inflatables and large-scale projections showcasing First Nations stories and community artwork.
Running nightly from 6pm to 9pm until Sunday, July 27, the vibrant display is turning heads and drawing crowds as part of the 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts.
Mayor Greg Williamson said Daly Bay Illuminate was a tremendous spectacle for the whole family and this year would not disappoint.
“This year, there is no start or finish point – your route is completely up to you,” Mayor Williamson said.
“With eight giant inflatable amphibians, called Night Walkers, and four spectacular large-scale projections on some of our most iconic buildings, you can take a self-guided tour through the City Centre,” he said.
“One of the projections, on the side of the old Pioneer Shire building, has been created by artist Donna Maree Robinson, whose beautiful artwork features on the front cover of this year’s Mackay Festival of Arts program.
“Why not book in for dinner in a City Centre restaurant, enjoy some live music and then do some late-night shopping as you stroll from artwork to artwork?”
MECC Festival Coordinator Phoebe Short said Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub would be on at the same time as Daly Bay Illuminate at Caneland Park.
“Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub will this year offer a blend of music, culinary delights and fun for the whole family,” Ms Short said.
“As well as some Night Walkers, a special feature at the Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub will be Shimmer – a glowing, dreamlike world inspired by tropical pond life created by the Mackay community and students,” she said.
“We’ve also got different live music playing each night, and a fantastic selection of food vendors coming to the event, offering delicious dumplings, barbecue ribs, gourmet sausages, waffles, ice cream and so much more,” she said.
“This is going to be a fantastic night out for the family and the team are excited to be able to share this wonderland of vivid colours and lights with our community and visitors to the region,” she said.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts Festivals Australia Program.
For more information on these events and the 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts, visit themecc.com.au/festivals.
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