As the city gears up for the Commonwealth Games, the number and diversity of cultural events taking place across the Gold Coast grows dramatically.
We’ve done our best to put together the highlights for 2016, but we know we’ve barely scraped the surface – after all, not everyone plans their cultural events so far in advance.
But it’s time to get your diary out and take note, because 2016 is a big year for cultural events on the Gold Coast. There’s sand sculpting championships and surfing, ceramics, opera and fine art. There’s busking, literature and monsters as well as custom cars, cupcakes and country music.
Gold Coast is alive when it comes to cultural events, and we’d love you to join us at some of the best.
Gold Coast Art Prize. Artist: Tango Hiromi "Sea Stars"
Burleigh Boardriders Single Fin Surf Comp
Sand Safari
Sand Safari
Gold Coast Event Guide for cultural events in 2016
January & February
Gold Coast Art Prize | 5 December 2015 – 31 January 2016
Now in its 47th year, the Gold Coast Art Prize provides an opportunity to showcase contemporary art practice from across the nation. From 2016 the Art Prize will continue as a biennial award. In 2015-16, 47 finalists competed for a total prize pool of $30,000 in acquisitions.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Gold Coast Art Prize.
Burleigh Single Fin | 8 – 10 January
The 19th Burleigh Boardriders Single Fin Festival sees surfers compete on antique single fin boards made no later than 1981 with some of the boards coming from the 60s and 70s. Past surfers have included Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Dave Rastovich, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew and Ash Grunwald. It all goes down in a carnival atmosphere with live music and displays of historical surf craft with often thousands lining the beach to witness the main event, which takes place on the Sunday.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Burleigh Boardriders Single Fin Festival.
Sand Safari, Surfers Paradise | 5 – 28 February
The enchanted wonderland of Sand Safari is bringing new art elements to the popular Surfers Paradise event in 2016. Running over three weeks, it includes carved sand sculptures in the Sand Sculpting Champions, the Gold Coast Sand Trail, photography exhibition and a Schools Art Competition.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Sand Safari.
BLEACH - Ant with Surf Board
Bleach. Image by: Lamp Photography
Bleach. Image by: Lamp Photography
Australian Street Entertainers Competition
Australian Street Entertainers Competition
The Quiksilver pro
Quiksilver Pro
Luke and Rob Hemsworth at the Gold Coast Film Festival
March
Bleach Festival | 4 – 20 March
Bleach is undoubtedly one of the most engaging events on the Gold Coast’s cultural calendar. Spanning three weekends and spreading its tentacles into the furthest reaches of the Gold Coast, Bleach offers music, art, performance, dance and food.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Bleach.
Made in Queensland: The Culture Shop | 4 – 20 March
This pop-up exhibition, the creation of Byron Coathup and Kymberley Kloeckner, reimagines the iconic souvenir shop and information booth. It takes the work of six artists exhibiting at the Gold Coast City Gallery (13 February – 16 March) and extends the creation to the iconic beachside community of Coolangatta. The exhibition will be located in the foyer of The Strand Coolangatta and opens 9.00am to 5.00pm and is co-presented by Bleach* Festival, Gold Coast City Gallery and The Arts Centre Gold Coast.
Check out the Bleach website for more information about The Made in Queensland Culture Shop.
Somerset Celebration of Literature | 9-11 March
This literary event constantly punches above its weight with ticket sales exceeding 18,000 and people travelling from all over to attend. Acclaimed authors from around Australia visit the Gold Coast for interactive sessions and workshops aimed at both children and adults over the three-day event hosted by Somerset College.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Somerset Celebration of Literature.
How to make a monster: the art and technology of animatronics | 26 March – 12 June
An international sensation, How to Make a Monster features the work of John Cox, 1995 Visual Effects Academy Award winner for the movie Babe, and his Gold Coast-based company John Cox’s Creature Workshop. Discover the skills and processes involved in bringing a creature from the written page to the silver screen in this fascinating behind the scenes exhibition. After touring world-wide for a decade, it will be showing for the final time when it takes over Gold Coast City Gallery’s three exhibition spaces.
Check out the Arts Centre Gold Coast website for more information about How to Make a Monster.
Quiksilver and Roxy Pro | 10-21 March
With some of the greatest waves in the world at our doorstep, the Gold Coast is the natural home of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro – the first event on the ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour and unrivalled as the one of the most prestigous surfing competitions.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro.
Australia Street Entertainment Championships | 25-28 March
Held over three days, clowns, mimes, magicians, jugglers, dancers and performers will take to stages across Surfers Paradise in a carnival of light and laughter as they vie for the crowd’s attention.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Australia Street Entertainment Championships.
Gold Coast Film Festival | 31 March – 10 April
This annual ten-day event celebrates and promotes film with internationally acclaimed dramas, comedies and local-made indie gems. There are components for students, workshops and seminars, a ladies luncheon and Shorts In Paradise (SIPFest) which collectively attract more than 12,000 people.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Gold Coast Film Festival.
Blues on Broadbeach
Surfers Paradise LIVE
Surfers Paradise LIVE
Broadbeach Country Music Festival
May & June
Surfers Paradise LIVE | 6-8 May
Surfers Paradise LIVE will showcase a diverse, eclectic mix of music genres with multiple stages throughout the precinct, so no matter where you are in Surfers Paradise you’ll hear the sounds of the best raw, live music. What’s better than good music? Music in paradise that’s LIVE and free! For more information click here.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Surfers Paradise LIVE.
Blues on Broadbeach | 19 – 22 May
Celebrating its 14th year in 2016, the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival has grown to be one of the biggest music events on the Gold Coast calendar. And it’s all free! Taking place throughout the streets, mall and venues of Broadbeach, the lineup includes international and local acts and the event has won a string of national awards
Check out who’s headlining at Blues on Broadbeach.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Blues on Broadbeach.
Cooly Rocks On | 3-13 June
Cooly Rocks On is a 50s and 60s based nostalgia festival run over the borders of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. With 1200+ hot rods on show as well as custom and classic cars and rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and swing entertainment, it’s 11 days of family-friendly fun.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Cooly Rocks On.
Gold Coast Music Awards | 16 June
Taking place for the second time in 2016, the Gold Coast Music Awards reward and promote the diversity of talent found on the Gold Coast. Last year saw more than 240 nominations across six categories and a sold-out awards ceremony. With categories which include Song of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year and Live Music Event of the Year, this year’s event will take place in Burleigh Brewing Co’s brand new premises.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Gold Coast Music Awards.
Broadbeach Country Music Festival | 17-19 June
Country music takes over Broadbeach in June. Local and international country acts feature and it’s free for the whole three days. With Adam Brand and the Outlaws, The Sunny Cowgirls and Jasmin Rae, amongst others, it’s a veritable boot scootin’ feast.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Broadbeach Country Music Festival.
The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award | 25 June – 21 August
Established photographers are showcased alongside emerging when the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photogrophy Award takes place, resulting in a stunning reflection of contemporary practice that examines diverse themes and approaches. This highly anticipated award, with a total $30,000 in prizes and acquisitions (first prize is $20,000), is a highlight of Gold Coast City Gallery’s exhibition program.
Check out the Arts Centre Gold Coast website for more information about the event.
VIVA
VIVA
VIVA
Broadbeach Jazz Festival
July & August
Viva Surfers Paradise | 8 – 17 July
See Surfers Paradise take a step back in time and pay tribute to the world’s greatest music legends with ten days of free classic entertainment at Viva Surfers Paradise. There’ll be stellar performances by the best tribute artists, rock ‘n’ roll dancing, classic cars and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition where the best Elvis artist gets sent to compete in Memphis, Tennessee!
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Viva Surfers Paradise.
Broadbeach Jazz Festival | 20-21 August
Join some of Australia’s jazz greats when Broadbeach Jazz Festival brings rhythm and style to Broadbeach. With outdoor stages and world-class acts, the free two-day event brings the streets of Broadbeach to life for a mid-winter jazz feast.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about the Broadbeach Jazz Festival.
Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award | 27 August – 23 October
Attracting high quality entries from around the world, the GC International Ceramic Art Award allows audiences to experience contermporary ceramic art practices and is a major event on the City’s artistic calendar. Established in 1982 it encourages the creation and appreciation of art in clay and offers $10,000 for first prize as well as additional selection of acquisitions to the Gold Coast City Collection.
Visit the Arts Centre Gold Coast website for more information about this event.
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September to December
SWELL Sculpture Festival | 9 – 18 September 2016
SWELL Sculpture Festival is one of the City’s longest running cultural events. Celebrating 14 years in 2016, more than 50 sculptures will be exhibited by local, national and international artists. The free exhibition is open 24/7 with sculptures illuminated for day or night visits, offering a unique experience as well as a program that includes twilight walks, artist talks, master classes, children’s workshops and the Swell Smalls Gallery.
Meet the woman behind SWELL Sculpture Festival.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about SWELL Sculpture Festival.
Surfers Paradise Kids Week | 9 – 25 September 2016
Kids Week is a free family event in Surfers Paradise. Balloon twisting, cupcake decorating, character appearances and more will keep kids entertained during the September school holidays.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Surfers Paradise Kids Week.
Gold Coast Folk Festival | September (TBC)
Set in the rural setting of Paradise Country Parklands, the Gold Coast Folk Festival brings the best local folk musicians to a family-friendly event which includes free components, open mic session, food and more.
Visit the Gold Coast Folk Festival website for more information about this event.
Buskers by the Creek | 15 – 16 October
More than 10,000 people streamed into Buskers by the Creek in 2015, filling the banks of Currumbin Creek with colour, movement and music. Having already snapped up a bunch of awards on the back of the first festival and offering a heap of side-events throughout the year, Buskers by the Creek always delivers the goods. With much more than just music on offer, past events have seen fire dancers, sword swallowers, ukulele orchestras, acrobats and artists show off their talents.
Check out our what’s on calendar for more information about Buskers by the Creek.
Gold Coast Multicultural Festival | November (TBC)
The Gold Coast Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the diversity of culture here on the Gold Coast, showcasing the skills and talents of our city’s diverse communities.
Visit the Gold Coast Multicultural Festival website for more information.
Bonjour French Festival | November (TBC)
It’s the ultimate French weekend, right here on the Gold Coast. The Bonjour French Festival provides a rich cultural experience with music, art, educational activities and sport as well as wonderful French cuisine. In its inaugural year the event attracted nearly 10,000 people and has grown since, including evolving into a two-day format.
Visit the Bonjour French Festival website for more information about this event.
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