It’s easy to miss the moment when you don’t know what’s coming. Fireworks finish, festivals wrap up, and the big highlights slip past unnoticed. The Gold Coast packs its calendar with events, and Currumbin sits close to the action. Between January and October, the region fills with markets, live music, and major headline moments.
This guide shares the 2026 events worth planning around, especially for a holiday Gold Coast escape that stays coastal and simple. With the right timing, you can relax at The Rocks Resort while the best of the coast plays out within easy reach.
January to March Highlights
The year kicks off with sunshine, surf, and a festival or two. These early months bring some of the biggest events to the coast, and they are all a straightforward drive from Currumbin.
Magic Millions Carnival | Bundall | 13–18 January 2026
Australia’s richest race day is about more than what happens on the track. Expect big energy, standout outfits, and plenty happening around the precinct before and after the main races.
TAB Magic Millions Raceday | Bundall | 17 January 2026
The headline day of the carnival brings top-tier racing, premium hospitality options, and ticketed entry. Booking ahead is the safest move if you want your pick of seats and packages.
Gold Coast Open (Surfing) | Burleigh Heads | 18–22 February 2026
Watch top surfers tackle quality waves in one of the coast’s favourite beach settings. It’s a good reason to spend time on Burleigh Hill after the heats, then settle in for a late lunch nearby.
Sanctuary Markets | Currumbin | Every Friday evening
Local street food, craft stalls, and live music sit beside Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. These Currumbin markets are a local favourite for an easy Friday night out without a big plan.
Burleigh Farmers Market | Burleigh Heads | Every Saturday morning
Fresh produce, good coffee, and a relaxed community vibe make this a weekend ritual. It also suits anyone building a day around things to do in Burleigh Heads while ticking off practical errands for the week.
April to June Line-Up
Autumn brings milder days and a creative buzz, which suits open-air stages and beachfront weekends. This part of the calendar is where a Gold Coast itinerary starts to stack up quickly.
Blues on Broadbeach | Broadbeach | 14–17 May 2026
Free, laid back, and full of atmosphere. This Gold Coast festival turns laneways and beachside stages into a rolling soundtrack across the weekend.
Cooly Rocks On | Coolangatta | 3–7 June 2026
Classic cars, rockabilly rhythms, and vintage style take over Coolangatta. It’s family-friendly and packed with retro charm, with something happening from morning through to evening.
Sanctuary Markets | Currumbin | Ongoing
Still going strong as the nights cool off. It’s the same winning mix of live music and local eats, with an even cosier vibe once the sun drops.
Weekend tip: Keep an eye on what’s on the Gold Coast and time your trip with one of these standout weekends.
July to September Spectacles
Winter on the coast does not slow the calendar down. Mild days and clear skies suit big outdoor events, and some of the best thing to do in Gold Coast planning happens in this mid-year stretch.
ASICS Gold Coast Marathon | Southport | 4–5 July 2026
Running it is one option, cheering is another, and both come with great atmosphere. Early starts are part of the experience, with crowds lining key sections of the course and post-race celebrations rolling on.
Gold Coast Show | Broadwater Parklands | 28–30 August 2026
Showbags, fireworks, food trucks, and family entertainment take over the parklands. It’s one of those family activities Gold Coast travellers often plan a long weekend around, especially when school holiday energy is still in the air.
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast | Surfers Paradise | 14–16 August 2026
Aerobatics, military jets, and big flyovers keep eyes skyward all weekend. Sunscreen, water, and arriving early make the day easier, particularly if you want a prime spot along the sand.
SWELL Sculpture Festival | Currumbin Beach | 11–20 September 2026
Wander among large-scale art installations along the coastline. Early mornings and late afternoons suit this one best, especially if you want a quieter walk and softer light for photos.
This time of year, books sell out quickly. For travellers mapping out things to do at the Gold Coast across winter and early spring, these events are reliable crowd-pleasers.
October’s Festival Finale
The last chapter of the major events calendar keeps the pace up. October brings arts, live music, and horsepower, with plenty to add to your shortlist of what’s on the Gold Coast, Australia.
BLEACH Arts Festival | Various Gold Coast Venues | 1–11 October 2026
Visual art, theatre, and live performance roll through venues across the city. The program ranges from intimate sessions to bigger nights out, so it can suit a quieter stay or a high-energy weekend.
Groundwater Country Music Festival | Broadbeach | 16–18 October 2026
Beachfront stages, warm evenings, and live sets across the precinct shape this country music festival, which Gold Coast visitors often add to their calendar after hearing about it once.
Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 | Surfers Paradise | 23–25 October 2026
This street race brings major buzz. Expect crowds, roaring engines, and the kind of atmosphere that takes over the whole area for a few days.
October is also handy for anyone lining up things to do on the Gold Coast this weekend, during a short break. There is usually something worth getting out the door for.
Events by Vibe
Matching the right weekend to your style makes planning simpler. Here’s a quick way to sort the calendar into categories that suit your trip.
- For families: Cooly Rocks On, Gold Coast Show, SWELL Sculpture Festival
- For foodies: Sanctuary Markets, Burleigh Farmers Market
- For culture lovers: BLEACH Arts Festival, Blues on Broadbeach
- For thrill-seekers: Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, Gold Coast Marathon
- For country music fans: Groundwater Country Music Festival
- For artsy wanderers: SWELL, BLEACH, and open-air exhibitions
A good holiday Gold Coast plan often comes down to one big event plus a few slower days either side.
Plan Ahead, Travel Smart
Many of these events are free, but popular weekends fill up fast. Some close streets, some book out parking, and others need pre-registration or timed tickets. Arrive early where you can, and check official event pages for updates.
Public transport and rideshare can take pressure off on big weekends. Pack for the sun, bring something light for evenings, and keep comfortable shoes in the mix. A shady spot for midday breaks is also a smart addition.
Make Room for Moments You Won’t Forget
Event travel does not need to be rushed or rigid. Timing your stay around something worth seeing can lift the whole trip. Markets, music, art, and big crowd moments fill the coast throughout the year. Pick what suits you, note the dates, and give yourself room for the in-between moments that make the trip memorable.
Stay in Currumbin and Keep It Coastal
With so many things to do in Currumbin and across the wider coast, staying nearby keeps your options simple. At The Rocks Resort, you can wake to the sound of waves and walk to SWELL, while many other headline events are typically around 30 to 40 minutes away by car, traffic depending.
Spend a day out in Broadbeach or Burleigh, then come back to a beachfront apartment where the crowds ease off, and the sea air takes over. The location, the views, and the ease of having so much close by make Currumbin one of the coast’s quieter favourites.
Stay with us at The Rocks Resort and enjoy beachfront comfort close to the 2026 events calendar.
Image Credit: Burleigh Farmers Market