Gold Coast Spring 2026 Events Guide: 9 Major Festivals Not to Miss

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Gold Coast Spring 2026 Events Guide: 9 Major Festivals Not to Miss

A string of major events is heading to the Gold Coast across September, October and November – and spring isn’t the only thing in the air. You might catch the strains of live country music at Groundwater Country Music Festival, the roar of engines at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, or the clink of glasses at Crafted Beer Festival. Read on for some of the best Gold Coast events happening in spring 2026.

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Groundwater Country Music Festival: Oct 16–18

Groundwater Country Music Festival rolls into Broadbeach this October. If three days of free country music and jam-packed festival fun sounds like your vibe, then giddy up and get amongst it!

With stars like Kasey Chambers, Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers, Beccy Cole and James Blundell on the bill, this free festival blends country music with city energy, with stages set up across Broadbeach's streets, parks, restaurants and pubs. Whether you're a lifelong fan or brand new to the scene, it's the perfect excuse to round up your crew, dust off your boots and soak up the ultimate coastal-country mashup. Groundwater is an accessible festival, so everyone can join the party. Location: Central Broadbeach.

BLEACH Festival: October 1–11

From October 1–11, BLEACH Festival turns the HOTA precinct, parklands and Evandale Lake into a colourful, interactive, sensory explosion for the eyes, ears and heart. Alongside a packed program of live music, contemporary dance, storytelling and mind-bending art, BLEACH stages some fabulous public art installations to spark curiosity and delight. There's an open-air live music stage by the lake, pop-up bars and food trucks, a joyful launch event and cool cultural experiences showing off the Gold Coast's creative side. Expect epic sets at the Outdoor Stage from SIX60, Sub-Tribe, Electric Fields and Lady Blackbird – many completely free, so come early and stay late. Location: HOTA (Home of the Arts), 165 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise.

2026 Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500: Oct 23–25

If revving engines give you goosebumps and trackside is your happy place, welcome to the best race weekend on the calendar. The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 – the region's headline motorsport event – brings the famous Surfers Paradise Street Circuit back to life with supercars, action and plenty of off-track fun. This lively festival-style event has plenty of on-circuit accommodation, world-class music acts and family-friendly entertainment across three thrilling days. Drivers complete 100 laps, so wherever you stand you'll see non-stop action from the biggest names in motorsport. (Side note: unless you're attending, best to steer clear of the race precinct that weekend.) Location: Surfers Paradise.

SWELL Sculpture Festival: Sept 11–20

Currumbin Beach is a magical place to swim, splash and surf, but during SWELL Sculpture Festival it becomes an expansive outdoor art gallery. More than 80 large-scale sculptures by local, national and international artists line the Currumbin coastline – visit at dawn to see them backlit by the rising sun. There's also a program of cultural experiences including kids' creative workshops, artist talks, guided sculpture walks, sunrise yoga and pilates, free live music and a silent disco at sunrise. Grab a coffee at the cafés along Pacific Parade or a drink and food-truck feed at the Fringe Bar. By inviting the audience to interact with creativity, SWELL makes art accessible, enjoyable and inclusive. Location: Pacific Pde, Currumbin.

Crafted Festival: September 12

Some say beer tastes better in the sunshine – you can test the theory at Crafted Festival. This froth-filled celebration of craft brews, live tunes and good times takes over the shady beachside Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach. More than 50 of the country's best craft breweries pour over 400 different beers (plus spirits, seltzers and wine), alongside food trucks and live entertainment. Indie rockers The VANNS headline the music stage, backed by local bands and DJ sets. All the Gold Coast favourites will be there – Burleigh Brewing, Balter, Madocke, Precinct Brewing Co and Roji Cat – with beer-illiant activities like beer pong, basketball shootouts, beer yoga (yes, it's a thing) and ping pong competitions. Location: Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach.

T20 Cricket – Australia vs England: November 24

Cricket fans will be cheering from the stands at People First Stadium on November 24, 2026, as Australia takes on England in a T20 Men's International on the Gold Coast. This is more than a game – it's a celebration of cricket, culture and community. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just love the electric atmosphere of world-class sport, this is an event not to be missed.

Location: People First Stadium, Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara.

2026 Rugby League World Cup: October 31

The Rugby League World Cup 2026 heads to the Gold Coast for an extraordinary triple-header at CBUS Stadium. Fiji faces France in Game 1, followed by an epic New Zealand vs Fiji clash in Game 2, with the Kiwi Ferns versus the PNG Orchids closing the day. Don't miss the world's best at the pinnacle of global rugby league.

Overtone Festival: October 2

Set in the shady grounds of Musgrave Park, this open-air music event brings together the finest underground international and Australian electronic artists. With multiple stages and headliners including Barry Can't Swim, Avalon Emerson, Ben UFO and Eva Charley, Overtone goers can look forward to premium sound, creative stage design and a carefully curated program against a backdrop of lush greenery and Gold Coast sunshine. Location: Musgrave Park, 120 Musgrave Ave, Southport.

Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold: October 17–18

The Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold returns for 2026 bigger, faster and more exciting than ever. This iconic surf life saving event tests athletes across swimming, surf ski paddling and running, with a long course for elite athletes and shorter formats for emerging and community competitors – all on Coolangatta Beach, making it a great spectator event. Be there to see the country's fittest, fastest surf life savers battle it out. Location: Coolangatta Beach, Coolangatta.

Alongside all these incredible events, there's plenty more to do on the Gold Coast during springtime.