WelcomeThe Gold Coast carves out its own cultural wave by embracing the City’s iconic beach lifestyle and playful past. In a landscape drenched in surf, nature, freedom, nightlife and excitement, artistic diversity and creative pursuits stretch as far as the sandy coastline. The Gold Coast’s spectacular coastline and Heritage–Listed rainforests have always captured the playful imagination of holiday makers. These naturally diverse landscapes have been providing the perfect backdrop to encourage and motivate creative pursuits for decades. From infamous pyjama parties at the Beachcomber Hotel, legendary rock gigs at the Tallebudgera Playroom, the Gold Coast has always blossomed with an unashamed mix of glamour and beach-going fun. Hundreds flocked to ‘do the hokey pokey’ at Doug Roughton’s humble Greenmount kiosk where the souvenir song ‘It’s Hot in Brisbane but it’s Coolangatta’ became the Southern Gold Coast’s first theme song. While preserving the Gold Coast’s playful past, the city continues to evolve culturally in tune with exciting infrastructure developments. Niche creative hubs offer up unique platforms for established and grassroots local artists across music, film, dance, theatre, fashion, art and more. To get your cultural fix be sure to check out what’s on at the Arts Centre Gold Coast, Rabbit + Cocoon, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, The Loft, Studio 56, the Coolangatta Hotel, and a host of other great venues around town - see website below.

When it comes to special events, the Gold Coast always delivers with seasons of spectacular events all year-round. The Coast has thumping sounds showcased in theatres, venues and outdoor stadiums to ensure a rocking good time for all while providing a real sense of surfside occasion. Consider this your personal invitation to some of the biggest and best gigs ever staged. Surfers Paradise LIVE offers the perfect mix of culture, food, wine and music. Broadbeach is the home of internationally acclaimed music events including the iconic Blues and Country Music Festivals. Head south to Coolangatta to embrace the sights and sounds of 50’s and 60’s nostalgia at Cooly Rocks On. For a unique blend of motorsport and music, hit the Castrol Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercars where you can hear the roar of the V8s by day and rock all night to headline entertainment.

Find out more visitgoldcoast.com/whatson

3-6 December 2015Australian PGA Championships

December 20153-6 December 2015Australian PGA ChampionshipAustralia’s oldest Professional golf tournament, the Australian PGA Championship will return to the Gold Coast in 2015. With AU$1.25 million in prize money up for grabs the tournament is sure to attract a stellar line up of both Australian and international stars. For more information click here.

12 December 2015Broadbeach Christmas CarolsJoin everyone under the stars for the annual Broadbeach Christmas Carols in Kurrawa Park. Enjoy an afternoon jam-packed with kid’s activities and incredible entertainment filled with Christmas spirit and joy. For more information click here.

20 December 2015Carols on the Beach Surfers ParadiseBring a picnic blanket and enjoy an evening of singing with the whole family. Santa will be joining in on the fun. This is a free event quite like no other, held right on the iconic Surfers Paradise Beach. For more information click here.

December 2015

New Year’s Eve Fireworks5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Happy New Year! The place to say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016 is amid the most spectacular fireworks display in South East Queensland. The Surfers Paradise Foreshore will once again prove it is the place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Bring your sparklers, party hats and picnic blankets and see in the New Year with your loved ones. For more information click here.

9 January 2016Jeep Magic Millions Carnival and Raceday

January 20169 January 2016Jeep Magic Millions Carnival and RacedayThe Gold Coast provides the perfect environment for Australia’s Greatest Summer Racing Carnival - the 2016 Jeep Magic Millions Carnival and Race Day. Experience the thrill and excitement, at any of the week-long events and activities held at a variety of locations around the Gold Coast. Combining horse sales, racing and fun, come and share the magic and have the time of your life! For more information click here.

26 January 2016

Australia Day on the Gold CoastHead to the Gold Coast this Australia Day.Whether it’s a beachside BBQ, paddle boarding, or a day at the Gold Coast Turf Club celebrating trackside in the sun, the Gold Coast is the place to be on the most patriotic day of the year. For more information click here.

9-10 January 2016Gatorade Queensland Tri Series - Round 5 RobinaGatorade Queensland Triathlon Series is kicking off 2016 at Robina! This will be an action packed weekend with Race 2 of the Australia Junior Triathlon Series and Kool Kids event on the Saturday and QTS and Enticer events on the Sunday. For more information click here.

29-31 January 2016Burleigh Pro 2016The Burleigh Pro is a World Surf League (WSL) sanctioned event for both men’s and women’s. Some of the world’s best surfers will battle it out against the local talent at the iconic Burleigh Headlands beach. For more information click here.

5-28 February 2016Sand Safari

February 2016

25 - 28 February 2016RACV Ladies MastersThe Sisters of Swing return to the Gold Coast for the Annual RACV Ladies Masters. The world’s best female golfers take on the RACV Royal Pines Resort layout over four days of scintillating golf. For more information click here.

5-28 February 2016Sand SafariCome and admire the art of sand sculpting as each sculptor competes in this year’s Australian Sand Sculpting Championships. Let the magic of sand sculpting take you to an enchanted wonderland as the Surfers Paradise Foreshore & various locations across the Gold Coast come to life. For more information click here.

4-20 March 2016Bleach*

March 2016

10-21 March 2016Quiksilver and Roxy ProWith 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, unrivalled as the most prestigous surfing competitions. For more information

click here.

4-20 March 2016Bleach*Bleach* Festival is the premiere arts Festival on the Gold Coast, drawing its inspiration from coastal culture. Bleach* brings together high calibre artists from around Australia and the Gold Coast for a 10 day celebration of pop up art installations and exhibitions, contemporary music performances, outdoor film programs, street parties, theatre, fashion and ideas. For more information click here.

25-28 March 2016

Australia Street Entertainment ChampionshipsHeld 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. For more information

click here.

31 March - 10 April 2016Gold Coast Film Festival

April 2016

3 April 2016The Cooly Classic Coolangatta Ocean SwimCoolangatta is world famous for its surf culture and the Cooly Classic celebrates the very essence of this iconic location. Swim the Cooly Classic and conquer three of Australia’s most revered surf breaks - Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta and Kirra. Whether you’re an ironman or ironwoman contender looking for a hit-out, or a newcomer to ocean swimming, the Cooly Classic has an option for you. For more information click here.

31 March - 10 April 2016Gold Coast Film FestivalGet ready for the red carpet! See movie premieres, celebrity guest appearances, film making seminars and the very best of all things pop culture, sci fi, fantasy, anime and more! For more information

click here.

9 April 2016SeafireSeafire is a night of hypnotic performance and thrilling fireworks above Surfers Paradise Beach. Watch two teams of Queensland’s greatest pyros go head-to-head in the skies above the foreshore, lighting up Surfers Paradise with cutting-edge fireworks timed to a thumping musical beat. For more information click here.

10-11 April 2016

Gold Coast Triathlon - World Triathlon Series Gold CoastThe Luke Harrop Memorial is the final event of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series. Set at the Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast, the venue is the perfect location for family, friends and work-mates to get involved in Queensland’s largest tri series. For more information click here.

19-22 May 2016Blues on Broadbeach

May 20166-8 May 2016Surfers Paradise LIVESurfers 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.

19-22 May 2016Blues on BroadbeachThe multi-award winning Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival is back! Visit Broadbeach to see some of the world’s best performers on outdoor stages and in venues throughout the area. There’s no need to buy a ticket, Blues on Broadbeach is completely free! For more information click here.

19-22 May 2016Sanctuary Cove International Boat ShowThe annual four-day event offers the ultimate in marine lifestyle. Marvel at a myriad of on-water, pavilion and open-air displays including luxury cruisers, power and sailmultihulls, and super yachts. For more information click here.

3-13 June 2016Cooly Rocks On

June 20163-13 June 2016Cooly Rocks OnCooly Rocks On is a 50s and 60s based nostalgia festival run over the borders of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. The festival consists of a car show of 1200+ hot rods, custom and classic cars and Rock ‘n Roll, Rockabilly and Swing entertainment. Over 11 days, Cooly Rocks On delivers shows, displays and fun for all the family. The festival is free to enter. For more information click here.

17-19 June 2016Broadbeach Country Music FestivalSaddle up and get set for the Broadbeach Country Music Festival. The best bit is you don’t need a ticket; the Broadbeach Country Music Festival is completely free. Featuring local, Australian and International country acts. So get your Stetson out, and dust off those old cowboy boots for three days and nights of incredible, boot scootin’ entertainment across outdoor stages and throughout venues in Broadbeach. For more information click here.

11-23 June 2016Australian Open - BowlsStaged annually, the Australian Open is the richest and most prestigious event on the Australian bowls calendar. In June 2016, the event will again be hosted across more than 12 Gold Coast clubs. The event attracts the sport’s premier players from across the globe, with more than 2,000 players descending on the region for the 13 day festival of bowls. For more information click here.

2-3 July 2016Gold Coast Airport Marathon

July 20162-3 July 2016Gold Coast Airport MarathonThis IAAF Road Race Gold Label event features a marathon, half marathon, 10km run, 5.7km challenge and junior dash races for the kids over 4km and 2km. More than 25,000 people from around the world are set to participate in 2015 and lap up the magnificent running climate, as well as the flat, fast and beautiful course that runs alongside the Pacific Ocean. For more information click here.

8-17 July 2016Viva Surfers ParadiseViva Surfers Paradise is back as they pay tribute to the life and music of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley with 50s and 60s fun all week long! Live performances, vintage stalls, rock ‘n’ roll dancing and more! For more information

click here.

20-21 August 2016Broadbeach Jazz Festival

20-21 August 2016Broadbeach Jazz FestivalJazz up your life to the rhythm and the beat of the Broadbeach Jazz Festival. This completely free and non-ticketed festival features a host of local and Australian jazz greats performing on outdoor stages and in venues throughout Broadbeach. Book a room in Broadbeach to soak up the truly incredible festival atmosphere at the annual Broadbeach Jazz Festival. For more information click here.

9-18 September 2016Swell Sculpture Festival

September 20169-18 September 2016Swell Sculpture FestivalSwell Sculpture Festival is a free outdoor exhibition of visual splendour amongst the natural coastal setting at Currumbin Beach.Over 10 days, visitors can experience sculpture, twilight walks, artist talks, artist master classes, childrens workshops or wander through the Swell Smalls Gallery. For more information click here.

19-25 September 2016The Surfers Paradise Kids WeekEnjoy a free family friendly event in Surfers Paradise celebrating all things kids. Kids Week is loaded with fun activities for all ages with plenty to see and do, including balloon twisting, cupcake decorating, character appearances and loads more! Mark it in your diary now, this will be a show the kids won’t want to miss. For more information click here.

26 September 2016Opera in the ParkOpera in the Park - Spread your blanket and kick back to the fabulous music of Opera and Broadway under the stars in Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach. The evening will feature an array of musical talent with a not to miss show from 6pm. For more information click here.

Gold Coast, the home of...Get amongst passionate sports fans by watching our local teams compete in rugby league and AFL, there’s something for everyone.

Gold Coast SunsAustralian Football LeagueCatch the Gold Coast SUNS in action from April - August on the Gold Coast. Experience Metricon Stadium, voted by AFL fans across the country as the number one venue and match day experience in the competition. For more information click here.

Gold Coast TitansNational Rugby LeagueCheck out the Gold Coast Titans in the 2015 season at Cbus Super Stadium. With great dining and so many Gold Coast attractions close by, make a weekend of it. For more information click here.

21-23 October 2016Castrol Gold Coast 600

November 20165-13 November 2016

Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters GamesThe 2016 Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games are a celebration of masters sport with both fierce and friendly competition including a jam-packed entertainment program at the official Games Village at the end of each day. The world’s biggest and best biennial masters games will showcase competition in more than 40 team and individual sports. For more information click here.

21-23 October 2016

Castrol Gold Coast 600Race by day and Rock all night at the Gold Coast 600, as motorsport’s biggest international names join forces with our local V8 racing stars for this one off appearance on the streets of Surfers Paradise. The Gold Coast 600 has become one of the iconic Gold Coast events featuring a fantastic mix of spectacular V8 Supercar racing and some of music’s biggest names.

October 2016