From autumn through winter, the Gold Coast offers an awesome array of vibrant events for everyone to love.
Here’s a guide to your mid-year Gold Coast events experience, which boasts sport, art, festivals, food and music.Browse by month using the links below or view our full calendar of events.
April
May
June
July
August
GLOW Festival 11 April
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships - 11-19 April
Prime Minister's Cup 25 April
3x3 National Basketball - 16-17 April
QPOW including Supernova Pop Culture Expo and the Supanova Cosplay Parade
Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) - 9-19 April
QPOW including Supernova Pop Culture Expo and the Supanova Cosplay Parade
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships - 11-19 April
Gold Coast Events April
Surfers Paradise Festival – 3-18 April
A free event celebrating the fun-loving carefree buzz of Surfers Paradise with 16 days of food, art, music and entertainment. The newest addition is the Festival Pavilion, filled with all-day entertainment like comedy, dance and workshops for kids. Other highlights are SIPFest (Shorts in Paradise) – the biggest short film festival, and the Australian Street Entertainment Championships – four days of competition between clowns, mimes, magicians, jugglers and dancers.
See our events calendar for more information.
Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) – 9-19 April
This 10-day screen culture event encompasses a diverse, interactive and engaging program of film and film-related events at various locations around the city. Screenings include critically acclaimed feature and foreign language films, to genre classics and locally produced indie gems shot here in Queensland. For filmmakers and students, the festival runs a series of free seminars and workshops to educate, inspire and embrace the Gold Coast as a filmmaking destination.
See our events calendar for more information.
GLOW – 11 April
A free event to fully illuminate your senses, GLOW is the city’s unique night time light, laser and art experience. Staged Lakeside at Evandale Parklands, it includes art installations, glow yoga, live music and street food. A new feature this year is the “3D silent disco dome experience” held in a massive domed tent where, equipped with headphones and a pair of 3D glasses, you can dance to the sounds of the in-house DJ to dazzling imagery projected onto screens inside the dome. Another fun first-time activity is the “float-in” cinema, where boaties can moor their vessels on the Nerang River and watch a movie on the big screen.
See our events calendar for more information.
Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial (incorporating ITU World Triathlon Series) 11-12 April
This is a major triathlon weekend for the Gold Coast combining two events and bringing in thousands of competitors and spectators. On the Saturday, 130 elite athletes from around the globe will compete in the ITU World Triathlon, which includes a 1500 metre swim, five kilometre cycle and 10 kilometre run. The course for this race will also provide athletes with a preview of what they will be facing at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games™. The next day, age group athletes will get the chance to test their own limits in the Gold Coast Triathlon-Luke Harrop Memorial. More than 2500 competitors will take to this course, which starts at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
See our events calendar for more information.
3×3 National Basketball - 16-17 April
With over 250 million players worldwide 3×3 basketball is ranked amongst the most played recreational sports on the planet. The Gold Coast event, one of seven to be held around the country, will be staged in the Broadbeach Mall. It consists of teams of four with simple rules. The 3X3 Nationals are open to basketball players from across the community, including associations, schools, businesses and even local “street” courts.
See our events calendar for more information.
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships – 11-19 April
North Kirra will see 7,000 surf lifesavers representing 311 surf clubs competing across two kilometres of beach in over 400 events across nine action packed days. Showcasing youth, masters and open categories, this is the largest event of its kind in the world and the pinnacle event of surf lifesaving.
See our events calendar for more information.
QPOW including Supernova Pop Culture Expo and the Supanova Cosplay Parade – 17-19 April
Express your inner geek and see all your favourite pop culture heroes at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is an alternate world of comic books, animation, science-fiction, pulp TV/movies, toys, console gaming, trading cards, fantasy, books and fan clubs. For the Supanova Cosplay Parade, Broadbeach is transformed into the ultimate world of fantasy and play, where you can dress up in your best superhero costume.
See our events calendar for more information.
Prime Minister’s Cup – 25 April
One of the Gold Coast Turf Club’s premier race days, this year is extra special event as it falls on the 100th anniversary of Anzac. The race program offers close to $1.5 million in prize money, while the event boasts fashions on the field, a plethora of live entertainment and pop-up bars, a live streaming of the Gallipoli Dawn Service and the biggest two-up event on the Gold Coast. Free entry for service veterans and their family.
See our events calendar for more information.
Surfers Paradise LIVE - 8-10 May
Blues on Broadbeach 21 - 24 May
Gold Coast International Marine Expo - 21-24 May
Monster Machinery Day 31 May
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show - 21-24 May
Cooly Rocks On - 29 May - 8 June
Australian Super Corporate Triathlon - 2 May
Surfers Paradise LIVE - 8-10 May
Gold Coast Events May
Australian Super Corporate Triathlon – 2 May
This is the Gold Coast leg of the Super Corporate triathlon series, which attracts 15,000 competitors from Australia’s corporate community to its five events. Its aim is to promote the pursuit of a healthy corporate culture and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle in general. The contest starts at Doug Jennings Park in Southport and includes a 400 metre swim,10km ride and 4km run.
See our events calendar for more information.
Surfers Paradise LIVE - 8-10 May
Sneaky Sound System headline this new, three-day live music event, which features a diverse, eclectic mix of music genres with multiple stages throughout the Surfers Paradise precinct. Other acts include Phil Jamieson, Timberwolf, The Kite Machine, Ngaiire, Bonjah and Sun City.
See our events calendar for more information.
Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival – 21-24 May
Transcending the barriers of age, gender and culture, Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia’s most iconic Blues festivals. And the best thing about this festival is that it’s free. This year, Andrew Strong and The Commitments Tour, James Morrison, The Black Sorrows and Charlie Parr direct from the USA are just a few of the massive names on the program.
See our events calendar for more information.
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show – 21-24 May
They describe it as “Oceans of Awesome” and “the first and foremost event on the Asia Pacific boating calendar” – and they’re totally right. Whether you have millions to spend on a ritzy yacht, you work in the marine industry, or you’re just looking for a modest tinnie, you’ll find what you’re looking for among the 500 boats at this show. Even if you don’t want to buy a boat, you’ll still have fun at this show.
See our events calendar for more information.
Gold Coast International Marine Expo – 21-24 May
A complementary event to the Sanctuary Cove show, the expo is staged within Australia’s largest manufacturing plants and shipyards at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct, Coomera. You’ll seeboat building, refitting and repairing first-hand, technical demonstrations and everything from kayaks to superyachts.
See our events calendar for more information.
Cooly Rocks On – 29 May – 8 June
The streets and parks of the far southern Gold Coast become living tributes to the 1950s and 60s for the 11 days of this nostalgia festival. Highlights include custom and classic car displays, rock ‘n roll, rockabilly and swing entertainment, 50s and 60s paraphernalia and street parades.
See our events calendar for more information.
Monster Machinery Day – 31 May
A child’s fantasy becomes reality when City of Gold Coast brings its big machines to Mitchell Park in Southport and lets the little ones get hands-on with these life-size toys for the day. Excavators, graders, loaders, tip trucks, road sweepers, beach tractors and quad bikes will all be on display, while stage shows, giveaways and fresh food make the day complete.
See our events calendar for more information.
Polo by the Sea - 13 June
Broadbeach Country Music Festival - 19-21 June
Australian Open (Bowls) - 13-25 June
Mudgeeraba Show - 26-28 June
Gold Coast Events June
Polo by the Sea – 13 June
A big event on the social calendar, Polo by the Sea is as much about being there as it is about the game itself. Staged at Doug Jennings Park on The Spit, this is truly a unique day out where you’ll have as much fun people watching as horse watching.
See our events calendar for more information.
Australian Open (Bowls) – 13-25 June
Staged every year, the Australian Open is the richest and most prestigious event on the Australian bowls calendar, with a prize purse of $225,000. Bowls is gaining popularity amongst the younger generation (not just for social barefoot bowls!) and the transition of this event to the Gold Coast is seen as a milestone in the positioning of South East Queensland as the natural hub of bowls in Australia.
See our events calendar for more information.
Broadbeach Country Music Festival – 19-21 June
On the back of its mighty Blues festival, Broadbeach puts on the free music again, this time for the country music fans, with three days of music on outdoor stages. The incredibly talented line-up includes ARIA award winners The McClymonts, Beccy Cole, The Wolfe Brothers, Catherine Britt, James Blundell, The Wolverines and Travis Collins.
See our events calendar for more information.
Mudgeeraba Show – 26-28 June
Gold Coast “hinterlanders” are very proud of their local show and rightly so. This little country show has all the traditional attractions of a local show, like animal nurseries, woodchopping, equestrian performances, local craft, carnival rides and heritage displays but with one big difference: the friendly vibe. This year, the show – now in its 87th year – opens on the Friday night and runs through to Sunday.
See our events calendar for more information.
Kokoda Challenge - 18-19 July
Kokoda Challenge - 18-19 July
Gold Coast Airport Marathon - 4-5 July
Gold Coast Events July
Gold Coast Airport Marathon – 4-5 July
What began in 1979 as a relatively low key event with almost 700 entrants has now grown to a premier international sporting contest that brings 28,000 people to the city to compete in one of the flattest, fastest and most scenic courses in the world. One of only two marathons in Australia to hold the IAAF Gold Label status, this event caters to every ability and includes the wheelchair marathon, ASICS half marathon, wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km run, Suncorp Bank 5.7km challenge and 4km and 2km races.
See our events calendar for more information.
Viva Surfers Paradise - 10-19 July
Put on your blue suede shoes and prepare for this week-long Elvis tribute with some of the best Elvis impersonators around. Chris Connor is known from his performances at the Manchester Apollo and the Harrogate International Centre while Bill Cherry, from the USA, took 1st place at the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition in Memphis. Viva also includes vintage stalls, rock ‘n’ roll dancing and more!
See our events calendar for more information.
Kokoda Challenge – 18-19 July
Held in honour of the 39th Militia – the first Australian troops to set foot on the Kokoda Track – this endurance and charity trek challenges teams of four to complete a 96km trek in 39 hours. The distance is the length of the actual Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. The course leads along fire trails, crosses 12 creeks and climbs 5000 metres of vertical elevation. The goal is to finish as a complete team of four in honour of the spirit forged on the Kokoda Track in 1942: courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice.
See our events calendar for more information.
XCAT World Series - 21-23 August
A la Carte in the Park
A la Carte in the Park Surfers Paradise Photo by Sarah Keayes
Challenge Gold Coast - 29-30 August
Challenge Gold Coast - 29-30 August
Broadbeach Jazz Weekend - 15-16 August
Challenge Gold Coast - 29-30 August
The Australian Army Band Brisbane Swingband Broadbeach Jazz Weekend - 15-16 August
Gold Coast Events August
A La Carte in the Park – 8-9 August
An annual indulgence on the banks of the Nerang River, featuring dishes from the Gold Coast’s finest restaurateurs mixed with beverages from the best labels. Throughout the day, guests can grab a table or roll out a blanket for some outdoor fun, with a dedicated children’s zone providing entertainment for the little ones, and an amazing fireworks show after sunset.
See our events calendar for more information.
Broadbeach Jazz Weekend – 15-16 August
After its blues and country festivals, Broadbeach delivers a free music weekend for a third time – this time with jazz! Chill out to the sounds of some of the finest jazz musos around at one of the precinct’s outdoor stages.
See our events calendar for more information.
Gold Coast Science and Tech Fair – 21-22 August
Designed to promote the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM ) sector, the fair runs in line with National Science Week. It gives local education providers, industry representatives, industry leaders and innovators the opportunity to showcase their organisation, projects and services to like-minded students and individuals, along with encouraging the local community to engage within the STEM sector. Simply put, it’s about making the Gold Coast a smarter place.
See our events calendar for more information.
XCAT World Series – 21-23 August
Best described as “Formula One on the water”, this will be the sixth international race in the World Professional Powerboating Association XCAT World Series. This new three-day event will form part of a week-long party and be based out of Doug Jennings Park on The Spit. It’s anticipated to bring 10,000 spectator vessels to the Broadwater to witness the action.
See our events calendar for more information.
Challenge Gold Coast – 29-30 August
A sporting event for all ages, this Multisport Festival includes a Supersprint Triathlon, a Kids Aquathon and a Twilight Fun Run. The challenging triathlon course is a 1.9km swim in Currumbin Creek, an undulating 90km ride through the Currumbin and Tallebudgera Valleys and a 21.1km run with stunning views along Currumbin Creek, Currumbin Beach and Tugun Beach.
See our events calendar for more information.
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