Global Celebration Of Food, Music And Culture Coming To Queens Park

Grab a passport and get ready to dance, taste and celebrate your way around the world – all without leaving Mackay!

Global Grooves 2025 is set to transform Queens Park into a vibrant global party on Saturday, October 25, 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 12 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, Caribbean, Irish, Scottish, Thai, Zimbabwean, Malayalee Indian, Filipino, Indonesian and Papua New Guinean 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 a pasta making demonstration, traditional Chinese children’s games and a Mercenaries of Western Europe village, plus more.

“We are also excited to have Fiesta Tropicale headlining this event. With horns and drums blasting, rhythm, colour and motion, Fiesta Tropicale brings Latin-Caribbean carnival flavour to the festival that will surely get everyone dancing.”

Beyond the stage, festivalgoers can pick up a special Global Grooves passport from festival volunteers to get stamped as they explore the market stalls and food vendors.

Mayor Williamson said the Global Grooves passport was a fun way to explore the event.

“As you visit the different cultural workshops, market stalls and vendors, ask them for a stamp,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Each stamp shows where you’ve been and what you’ve discovered as you explore the multicultural offerings. See how many you can collect,” he said.

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 Maltese 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 and the MECC.

Stage schedule:
• 3.40pm – Claddagh School of Irish Dance
• 3.55pm – Zimbabwe Association
• 4.05pm – Indonesia Mackay Community
• 4.20pm – Natiding Art
• 4.35pm – Latin Roots
• 5pm – Thai Aussie Community
• 5.20pm – Mackay Filipino Community
• 5.45pm – Mackay Malayalee Association
• 6.25pm – Piping MaD
• 7pm – Fiesta Tropicale

Workshops
• From 3pm – Mercenaries of Western Europe
• From 3pm – Freed Class – Traditional Chinese children’s games
• 3.15pm to 4pm – Rhythm Business – Drumming and Music
• 4.15pm to 5pm – Mackay Maltese Club – Pasta making
• 5.15pm to 6pm – Latin Roots – Latin dance

Food Vendors:
• Mackay Filipino Australian Community
• Filipino Kuisine
• Tambay Eats
• The Crystal Candy Cat (Japanese Candy)
• Amanda Dumpling
• Thai Authenchick 328
• Sally’s Curry Hut
• Ziffy’s Icecream
• Waffleton Way
• Dumpling Hut Mackay
• Da Sausage German Sausage
• Nonno’s Woodfired Pizza
• Laan Ya Thai
• Cream and Bean
• Spicy N Saucy Indian
• Tasty Twister
• Jass Asian Shop

_For more information, including market stalls, head to themecc.com.au/globalgrooves  _

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