Gold Coast Events Calendar 2026: Festivals, Sports and Public Holidays Month by Month

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Gold Coast Events Calendar 2026: What's On Month by Month

Planning a trip to the Gold Coast? Time your visit to line up with some of the city's biggest events. From vibrant festivals and captivating performances to elite sport and one-of-a-kind culture, the Gold Coast is buzzing with atmosphere and entertainment all year round. Here's a month-by-month rundown of the Gold Coast events calendar so you can see what's on at a glance and plan ahead — plus the public holidays, because long weekends matter!

JANUARY

Public Holiday: New Year's Day

When: January 1. Kick off the year with a well-earned day off. Whether you're up early for the first sunrise of the year or recovering from New Year's Eve, everyone loves a public holiday.

The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival

When: January 10 - 17. This major racing event packs 10 days of action, from the Barrier Draw — where horses gallop along Broadbeach beach — to polo, showjumping, a twilight meet and the headline race, one of the richest and most famous race days in Australia.

Public Holiday: Australia Day

When: January 26. Australia Day is the nation's official national day, honouring the stories, cultures and contributions that make the country richer. On the Gold Coast, plenty of locals spend it at the beach.

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FEBRUARY

AACTA Festival

When: February 4 - 8. A five-day celebration of Australian film, television and pop culture, opening with the AACTA Awards Industry Gala. Expect film deconstructions, interactive workshops, meet-and-greets, music showcases, filmmaker masterclasses, outdoor screenings and family-friendly activities.

MARCH

La Clique

When: March 26 - April 19. A spellbinding mix of circus, cabaret and comedy arrives at HOTA. Daring acrobatics, jaw-dropping stunts, cheeky burlesque and a saucy sense of humour make this show funny, risky and risqué. Since its 2004 debut, La Clique has wowed over a million people worldwide — don't miss it! (Image: Daniel Boud)

APRIL

Public Holiday: Easter Long Weekend

When: Friday April 3 - Monday April 6. Better than a three-day weekend? A four-day one! The Easter break brings four glorious days of relaxation and fun — the perfect excuse for a Gold Coast getaway. Note: most businesses close on Good Friday.

Public Holiday: ANZAC Day

When: Saturday, April 25. A national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand honouring the ANZACs and all who have served. Many attend a dawn service, a moving tribute to those lost in battle.

MAY

Gold Coast Film Festival

When: April 22 - May 3. Grab the popcorn — the Gold Coast's annual celebration of film returns. The festival brings Australian and international films, filmmakers and events to the Gold Coast, with screenings, panels, outdoor cinema and special events at HOTA. A highlight is SIPFest, where thousands gather under the stars to watch short films.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

When: May 21 - 24. Sanctuary Cove becomes a bustling boating mecca, with 300+ exhibitors and 600+ watercraft — superyachts, fishing boats, trailers, marine tech and more at the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event. Street performers, live music, a Kids' Zone and great food round out the family-friendly atmosphere.

Public Holiday: Labour Day

When: Monday May 4. Labour Day marks the movement's long fight — and eventual win — for the eight-hour work day: eight hours for work, eight for recreation and eight for rest.

Flotsam Festival

When: May 1 - 14. This surf film and photo festival rolls across beachside towns from Burleigh to Coolangatta, celebrating the region's world-class breaks and coastline through surf, sand and sea imagery. The two-week 'pixel party' features free and ticketed photo exhibitions, beachside surf cinema nights, live music and more.

World Surf League Championship Tour

When: May 1 - 11. The world's best surfers battle it out at Snapper Rocks for the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro 2026. Watching the pros carve up the famous Super Bank's perfect waves is a surf fan's dream, with a high-energy site, live commentary and an awards ceremony crowning the men's and women's champions.

Blues on Broadbeach

When: May 14 - 17. Each May, this award-winning event fills Broadbeach's streets, parks, beachfront and venues with blues. With 20 performance areas, great local food and all-ages activities, it's been a calendar favourite since 2002.

Ampol Women's State of Origin - Game III

When: May 28. The third match of the 2026 Ampol Women's State of Origin series plays out on Maroons home soil at Cbus Super Stadium in Robina. State pride is on the line (go Queensland!) and this could be the series decider — a must-see display of intensity and athleticism.

JUNE

Cooly Rocks On

When: June 3 - 7. One of Australia's biggest nostalgia festivals celebrates the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear in beachside Coolangatta — swing dancing, Elvis tribute artists, 900 classic cars, retro markets and three days of 50s, 60s and 70s fun.

SeaFire

When: June 20. Gold Coast's international fireworks competition lights up the night sky above Surfers Paradise as competitors go head to head in a spectacular, completely free, family-friendly pyrotechnics show.

JULY

Gold Coast Marathon

When: July 4 - 5. First held in 1979, the Gold Coast Marathon is now the pinnacle of Australian road running. The course follows the surf beaches and broadwater, renowned as one of the world's flattest and fastest — with low humidity, little morning wind and mild temperatures.

Surface Festival

When: July 2 - 16. Held in Miami each July over the school holidays, this festival sees visual artists cover walls, warehouses and shopfronts in large-scale colourful murals, alongside workshops, live mural painting, outdoor exhibitions, gallery nights, live music and kids activities.

AUGUST

Pacific Airshow Gold Coast

Australia's biggest and most spectacular air show is a three-day festival of choreographed aerial displays, breathtaking stunts and a dazzling party atmosphere on the sands of Surfers Paradise. Plenty of action in the sky, with buzzing, family-friendly entertainment on the ground — and you can watch free from the beach.

Public Holiday: Gold Coast Show Day

When: Friday August 28. Exclusively for the Gold Coast (bonus!). The Gold Coast Show features fireworks, circus performers, an animal nursery, show bags, wood chop, equestrian events, carnival rides, side show alley, art and craft displays, plus stage shows and roving entertainment.

SEPTEMBER

SWELL Sculpture Festival

When: September 11 - 20. Queensland's largest outdoor sculpture exhibition, with 60+ large-scale works along Currumbin Beach. Stroll the sand or swim while admiring works by local and international artists, plus twilight walks, sunrise yoga, workshops and kids activities.

Crafted Beer & Cider Festival

When: September - date TBA. Beer lovers gather at Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach to sample 300+ drops from around Australia, with gourmet food trucks, live music and a prime beachside location making this two-day celebration a firm favourite.

OCTOBER

BLEACH* Festival

When: October 1 - 11

The Gold Coast's annual contemporary arts festival, moving to October for the first time. This proudly local 11-day event uses the city's stunning landscape as a backdrop for world-class culture by Australia's finest artists — dance, theatre, music, visual arts, installations, First Nations culture, storytelling and more. A truly unique event that only happens here.

Public Holiday: King's Birthday

When: Monday October 5. A welcome long weekend! October is a wonderful time on the Gold Coast — use the extra day off to enjoy fun, relaxation, adventure, dining, culture and nature all in one place.

Groundwater Country Music Festival

When: October 16 - 18. Country music is always a vibe — even more so by the beach. Featuring top local and international country stars, this festival delivers three days of free live country music across the streets, parks and venues of Broadbeach.

Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500

When: October 23 - 25. For three action-packed days, the streets of Surfers Paradise transform into a world-class street circuit. The event precinct buzzes with bars, dining and race spectating, plus three big nights of live music from Aussie and international acts.

DECEMBER

Public Holiday: Christmas Day and Boxing Day

When: December 25 + 26. 'Tis the season to be jolly! Both days are public holidays in Australia. Whether or not you celebrate, a couple of days off in a row is always welcome — get in the spirit with Santa photos, community carols and festive fun.

New Year's Eve

When: December 31. The last day of the year is always a great time on the Gold Coast. Dine at a fine restaurant, rooftop bar or waterfront venue for a glamorous celebration, or head to the beach for the city's free, family-friendly fireworks.