UMI Arts' 19th annual Big Talk One Fire filled Cairns' Munro Martin Parklands with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance, music, art and storytelling on Saturday, October 24.

Seven dance groups, including a strong contingent from Cape York and the Torres Strait, shared their cultures throughout the free afternoon and evening festival, with QMusic Regional Artist of the Year for 2026, Djawarray, delivering the closing set.

Artisan market stalls, food, and hands-on workshops in weaving, jewellery making, and painting offered opportunities to meet makers, learn, and create.

"From the stunning traditional dances and powerful storytelling to the vibrant artisan markets and live music, the festival successfully created incredible visibility for First Nations arts and culture," said UMI Arts artistic director Lisa Michl Ko-manggén OAM.

"We were proud to welcome thousands of passionate, local, interstate, and international visitors who gathered to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures."

At its heart, Big Talk One Fire is a grassroots celebration of culture where everyone is welcome. As its name suggests, it's about talking, listening, and sharing around a metaphorical campfire.

Established in 2005, UMI Arts is the lead Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural organisation for Far North Queensland.

This area extends north of Cairns to include the Torres Strait Islands, south to Cardwell, west to Camooweal, and consists of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Mt Isa regions.

UMI Arts is a not-for-profit company managed by an all-Indigenous Board of Directors. Its mission is to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in participating in maintaining, preserving, and protecting cultural identity.

For more fashion, arts, culture and lifestyle news subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.