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Daly Bay Illuminate 2026 brought four nights of colour, creativity and family fun to Mackay's CBD, with the giant whale projection proving a standout attraction. Photo source: Mackay Regional Council
Daly Bay Illuminate 2026 brought four nights of colour, creativity and entertainment to Mackay's CBD, with visitors exploring illuminated streets, interactive installations and live performances. Among the festival's highlights was the giant whale projection, which proved a popular attraction as families and visitors stopped to admire the display and capture photos throughout the event.
Across the city centre, festival-goers took part in a range of activities, including Curious Legends' hands-on puppet workshops, where children and adults created baby stingray puppets, alongside face painting, glitter tattoos, live drumming and roaming entertainment. The Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub at Bluewater Quay hosted nightly performances by The Orangutans, AJ Minniecon and Yonnipin Corowa, Hot Hot Hot and Pluto Tango, complementing the festival's large-scale projections, First Nations storytelling, community artworks and puppetry.
While many attendees praised the festival's light displays and family-friendly entertainment, some community members suggested future editions could return to Queens Park or the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, saying they preferred the layout and atmosphere of previous events. Others said additional lighting between some installations would help families move more comfortably through the CBD after dark. The feedback comes as Mackay Regional Council continues its efforts to activate the city centre through community events designed to encourage residents and visitors to experience the CBD.
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