WHAT’S ON GUIDE

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.

WELCOME

OCTOBER 2016

OPERA IN THE PARK

Spread your blanket and kick back under the stars for Opera in the Park, with music from world famous Opera and Broadway shows in Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach on Saturday October 1, from 6pm. For more information click here.

1GOLD COAST RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Return to the Golden Age of swashbuckling adventure, Shakespeare, pirates, Musketeers, jousting and romance! Enter the world of The Game of Thrones, DaVinci’s Demons, the Musketeers and Reign.Join in the fun and pageantry! Don a costume and enter the Royal contest, try your hand at juggling, play a game of skill, or take aim with bow and arrow and win a Queen’s favour! For more information click here.

2-3NETFEST

NetFest is Netball Australia’s 18 plus mass participation netball event offering a choice of traditional (outdoor) or beach netball tournaments, supported by a range of social activities. For more information click here.

GLITTER FESTIVAL

Glitter is an arts festival that embraces diversity, encourages freedom of expression and celebrates the unique personality of the Gold Coast. Now in its second year, Glitter 2016 will deliver a varied program of quality local, national and international artists in cabaret, theatre, art gallery displays, films, community, events and much more. For more information click here.

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CASTROL GOLD COAST 600

Race 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. For more information click here.

21-23BUSKERS BY THE CREEK

In a celebration of the old-fashioned art of busking, over 200 performers will showcase their talents along the banks of Currumbin creek. People of all ages will soak up the atmosphere, vibe and sunshine and immerse themselves in the melting pot of creativity, culture and surprise. For more information click here.

15-16COATES HIRE COOLANGATTA GOLD

The iconic Coates Hire Coolangatta Gold surf endurance race returns! With the short course taking place on the Saturday, and the long course and Youth Challenge occurring on the Sunday, come and watch the athletes take on the ultimate challenge, and enjoy a weekend full of free activities and action. For more information click here.

15-16

NOVEMBER 2016

JUPITERS PAN PACIFIC MASTERS GAMES

The 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.

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DECEMBER 2016

AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Australia’s oldest Professional golf tournament, the Australian PGA Championship will return to the Gold Coast in 2017. 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.

BROADBEACH CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Join 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.

CAROLS ON THE BEACH SURFERS PARADISE

Bring 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.

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS

5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Happy New Year! The place to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017 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.

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JANUARY 2017

JEEP MAGIC MILLIONS CARNIVAL AND RACEDAY

The Gold Coast provides the perfect environment for Australia’s Greatest Summer Racing Carnival - the 2017 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.

BURLEIGH PRO 2017

The 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.

GATORADE QUEENSLAND TRI SERIES - ROUND 5 ROBINA

Gatorade Queensland Triathlon Series is kicking off 2017 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.

AUSTRALIA DAY ON THE GOLD COAST

Head 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.

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FEBRUARY 2017

SAND SAFARI

Come 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.

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MARCH 2017

BLEACH*

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.

QUIKSILVER AND ROXY PRO

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, unrivalled as the most prestigous surfing competitions.

AUSTRALIA STREET ENTERTAINMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS

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.

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APRIL 2017

GOLD COAST FILM FESTIVAL

Get 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!

SEAFIRE

Seafire 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.

THE COOLY CLASSIC COOLANGATTA OCEAN SWIM

Coolangatta 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.

GOLD COAST TRIATHLON - WORLD TRIATHLON SERIES GOLD COAST

The 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.

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MAY 2017

SURFERS PARADISE LIVE

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!

BLUES ON BROADBEACH

The 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!

SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

The 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.

MAYMAY MAY

JUNE 2017

COOLY ROCKS ON

Cooly 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.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN - BOWLS

Staged annually, the Australian Open is the richest and most prestigious event on the Australian bowls calendar. In June 2017, 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.

BROADBEACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saddle 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.

JUNE JUNE JUNE

JULY 2017

GOLD COAST AIRPORT MARATHON

This 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 2016 and lap up the magnificent running climate, as well as the flat, fast and beautiful course that runs alongside the Pacific Ocean.

VIVA SURFERS PARADISE

Viva 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!

JULY JULY

AUGUST 2017

BROADBEACH JAZZ FESTIVAL

Jazz 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.

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER 2017

SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL

Swell 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.

THE SURFERS PARADISE KIDS WEEK

Enjoy 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.

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER

OUR HOME GROUND

GOLD COAST SUNS AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Catch 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 TITANS NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Kick back at kick-off with the family and experience all there is on offer at Cbus Super Stadium! There promises to be titanic hits and epic tries plus plenty of off-field action too including the all new Active Zone plus so much more. For more information click here.