Unmissable Gold Coast events to mark on your calendar

The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival 

When: TBC January 2026

Don your best get-up for one of the Gold Coast’s most internationally renowned sporting events. There are plenty of fast-paced races to check out plus live entertainment and of course – fashions on the field. 

February 

Gold Coast Open

When: TBC February 2026

Pop yourself on the sand of Burleigh for a front-row seat to the Gold Coast Open. Witness the best of the best battling it out at one of surfing’s most iconic breaks. Additional attractions include sunrise yoga sessions, live bands and skateboarding events. Post-event, there’s nothing better than enjoying a cold one with the locals overlooking the ocean – simple yet perfect.

Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic

When: 13 - 15 February 2026

Soak up the quintessential beach culture of the Gold Coast as you celebrate Australia's surfing culture. The prestigious Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic, showcases some of the fittest athletes in Australia racing in the surf – however, it's open to all and makes for incredible spectator viewing and family-friendly fun. With kydiving and air shows, this weekend is not to be missed!

March

Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final

When: TBC March 2026

The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle is one of the most highly anticipated events on the Surfing Australia calendar. This event features incredible surf talent and will be held at one of the world-famous point breaks on the Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads. 

April

Pho3nix Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial

When: 12 April 2026

Push yourself with this ultimate triathlon. Children as young as seven can get involved in the Kids Triathlon and Aquathon, while the adults can test themselves with a 750m swim, 20km bike, and a 750m sprint. Or if you prefer to watch, there’s plenty of excitement and cheering to be had on the sidelines as some of the country’s best athletes hit the course.

Gold Coast Running Festival 

When: 26 April 2026          

Pull on your runners and hit the pavement for the 12th anniversary of the Gold Coast Running Festival. Test your speed solo or gather a crew for a social trot in the Gold Coast sunshine. With everything from a 1km dash to a 5km run and a half marathon, no matter your fitness level there’s a track for you.

Gold Coast Film Festival 

When: TBC April 2026

The city’s flagship film event, the Gold Coast Film Festival, brings cinema to life in distinctly Gold Coast fashion. The program, which will be announced in closer to the event, will feature more than 100 films and special events like music trivia, long lunches, panel talks and parties.

May

Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival 

When: 14 - 17 May 2026

The streets, parks and venues across Broadbeach will rattle and hum to the sound of blues once again for the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival. Held across the central Gold Coast suburb over four days, this is one of the biggest free music festivals in Australia and with sensational dining, world-famous beaches and ancient rainforests just a short drive away, this is the perfect event to base a Gold Coast long weekend around.

Cooly Classic Ocean Swim

When: 16 - 17 May 2026

The Gold Coast’s premier ocean swim, the Cooly Classic Ocean Swim is an annual event that offers participants four distances (1km, 2km, 3km and 5km) in which to compete, with the 2km Cooly Classic from Snapper Rocks to Kirra Beach – passing Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Coolangatta beaches along the way – the most popular of the four races. For younger swimmers (10-16 years old), the 1km Junior Giants from Coolangatta to Kirra Beach is a popular event where family and friends are encouraged to share in the experience and swim alongside the kids. 

June

Cooly Rocks On 

When: 3 - 7 June 2026

Slick back your hair and don your polka dot dress, because the Cooly Rocks On is back. Relive the nostalgic culture, cars and music of the 50s and beyond as you transform back in time at the iconic beachside streetscape of Coolangatta.

Celebrate the good ol’ days complete with vintage markets, outdoor dance workshops, live music and signature street parade. Soon you’ll be twisting your hips like they did back then.

Australian Open Lawn Bowls

When: TBC June 2026

Think Bowls is only for an older demographic? Maybe you’ve never sat green-side, beer in hand, watching as a bowl begins to pull up perilously close to the jack. The Gold Coast continues to entrench itself as the home of Bowls in Australia, with the iconic Queensland sporting event, the 2026 World Bowls Championships to be held across the Gold Coast clubs. The two-week-long tournament, with over 240 bowlers expected to take part in one of the world’s best Bowls events.

July

Gold Coast Marathon 

When: 4 - 5 July 2026

The Gold Coast Marathon brings more than 27,000 participants of all ages and abilities to compete across multiple formats along one of the flattest and fastest courses in the world. The marathon is the premier event, but you can’t go past the wheelchair marathon for sheer excitement and inspiration. These men and women are true champions as they travel 42.195km with their arms faster than most of us could do on a motorcycle. 

Have a peruse of other marathons across Queensland worth travelling for.

BLEACH* Festival 

When: TBC July 2026

Ready to be inspired? One of the country's leading contemporary arts events, BLEACH* Festival is set to launch an exciting, re-imagined program for 2026. Experience the Gold Coast's landscapes and public spaces to become unconventional venues for a range of arts performances, including moving storytelling from the traditional custodians of this land. 

August

Pacific Airshow

When: 14 to 16 August 2026

The largest airshow in the United States is going international – taking the Gold Coast to new heights in August 2026. Over three days, visitors will experience jaw-dropping aviation antics high in the sky - while on the sand, there’s live music, food precincts and loads of entertainment.  Here's everything you need to know.

September

Crafted Beer & Cider Festival, Broadbeach

When: 13 September 2025

Featuring a line-up of 300+ craft brews from over 40 brewers right across the country, a range of tasty food trucks and some of Australia’s top musical talent, the Crafted Beer & Cider Festival is a must-do Gold Coast event. Sip your way through breweries from all over Australia, including Queensland legends Range Brewing, Your Mates Brewing Co., and Bacchus Brewing Co.. We'll raise a glass to that! 

SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL

When: 12 - 21 September 2025

SWELL is Queensland’s premier outdoor sculpture exhibition and presents up to 50 Australian and international artists to captivate the hearts and minds of all who visit. Set along Gold Coast’s Currumbin Beach, the free event transforms the coastal landscape, showcasing thought-provoking and sculpturally impressive works across a range of mediums.

To turn SWELL into the perfect family weekend, add on a day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (here’s our one-day guide) and cool down with a family SUP or kayak along Currumbin Creek.

October

Coolangatta Gold 

When: 14 - 14 October 2025

Prepare to become a master of the seas. One of the most challenging endurance races in surf sports, the Coolangatta Gold is tempting water fiends across the country to fine-tune their multi-disciplinary techniques so they can swim, run, paddle board and surf ski to salty glory in either the 32.4km Short Course or 41.5km Long Course.

Groundwater Country Music Festival, Broadbeach 

When: 17 - 19 October 2025

One of Australia’s fastest-growing country music festivals, Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) is a free three-day music event held over a number of stages along Surf Parade in beautiful Broadbeach. Showcasing some of the country’s premier country music icons, this year's headliners include Troy Cassar-Daley alongside Jackson Dean, Brad Cox, Shane Smith and The Saints and The Wolfe Brothers.

Supercars Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 

When: 24 - 26 October 2025

Switch on the lights. The Supercars Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 returns to the streets of Surfers Paradise. The high-octane atmosphere continues off-track with meet-and-greets, live music and helicopter tours during the carnival. Here's everything you need to know.

November

Pan Pacific Masters Games

When: 6 - 15 November 2026

The Gold Coast’s famous celebration of master sports will showcase competition in more than 40 sports at some of the best sporting facilities on the planet and feature an amazing entertainment program at the Games Village.

Thousands of participants from all over the country are converging on one of the most popular holiday destinations to compete in the 14th Pan Pacific Masters Games on the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

December 

Spilt Milk Gold Coast

When: 14 December 2025

Australia's most in-demand festival, Spilt Milk, returns in 2025 to the Gold Coast with a stacked lineup of international superstars and homegrown talent. Gather your mates and bliss out to beats by Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Sara Landry and Dominic Fike, plus loads more. 

Looking for more ideas on else to do on your visit? Here are 30 of the best things to do on the Gold Coast.