Solento Surf Festival, Cooly Rocks On and dinner with Marco Pierre White – what’s on this weekend
Got plans this weekend? You do now. Marco Pierre White is cooking up a storm at HOTA, Spacey Jane hits the stage at Miami Marketta, and Cooly Rocks On rolls into Coolangatta with vintage flair. Add thrift treasure hunts, surf film fests, sky-high art and literary legend Leigh Sales, and you’ve got a weekend packed with flavour, fun and feel-good moments. Check out our guide to what’s on across the Gold Coast.
Markets, music and food events this weekend
This weekend, world-renowned chef Marco Pierre White brings his culinary brilliance to HOTA for a special three-day residency. Across five exclusive events – including an outdoor masterclass, intimate Q&A and two spectacular dinners – guests will experience the stories, flavours and finesse that made him a global icon. From long-table feasts under the stars to a unique collaboration with Palette, it’s a rare chance to witness the master at work. A handful of tickets are available – secure yours here.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month has kicked off four weeks of flavour-packed road trips just an hour from the Gold Coast. From May 30 to June 29, the region comes alive with more than 100 events – from long lunches and fire feasts to veggie picking and foodie festivals. Each weekend explores a different pocket of the Scenic Rim, making it perfect for day trips or delicious weekend getaways.Head here to find out what’s on and escape to the country this weekend.
Australia’s biggest curated thrift market hits the Gold Coast this Sunday! Fashion Thrift Society takes over the Turf Club with 100+ stalls of vintage and designer fashion, plus DJs, food trucks, a beauty bar and free tattoos, nail art and barber cuts. Doors open 10am—get in early for the good stuff!
Wunderbar storms into HOTA this Friday for one unmissable night of camp, chaos and creativity under the dazzling CLOUD PLAY installation. Expect big beats, bold looks and boundary-pushing performances, with pop icon Natalie Bassingthwaighte headlining a glitter-drenched lineup. Dress up, dance hard and join the fabulous fun as Goldy’s wildest queer party crew turns the volume all the way up. Get the details here.
Kicking off this weekend, the Solento Surf Festival brings eight days of surf, film, art and music to Burleigh Heads, HOTA and the Mondrian Gold Coast. Curated by filmmaker Taylor Steele, the program features a community surf comp, live music, film premieres, an art exhibit, and conversations with surf culture icons.
Indie-rockers Spacey Jane take over Miami Marketta this weekend as part of its biggest tour yet, celebrating new album If That Makes Sense. With support from Phoebe Go and The Moving Stills, expect a night of nostalgic indie-rock, raw emotion and crowd-favourites from one of the country’s most captivating live acts.
Thirsty Merc roll into The Wallaby this Saturday for a high-energy night of Aussie rock anthems. With crowd favourites like ‘In the Summertime’ and ‘20 Good Reasons’, the stage is set for a massive night of live music, big singalongs and feel-good vibes.
Fresh off a sold-out capital city tour in April, Slowly Slowly is heading regional – with a stop at Miami Marketta locked in for this Friday night – expect big energy and punk-soaked indie-rock feels.
Live shows, festivals exhibitions on the Gold Coast this weekend
Cooly Rocks On rolls into town this weekend, bringing five days of retro fun to Coolangatta from June 4–8. Expect classic cars, rock’n’roll, swing dancing, vintage frocks, retro markets and the iconic Elvis Tribute Contest, all celebrating the motors, music and style of yesteryear in true Gold Coast fashion.
This Friday, Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb bring their beloved podcast chemistry to the Writers Revealed Exhibition at HOTA with a live conversation about books, authors and storytelling. Expect wit, warmth and plenty of literary gems from two of Australia’s sharpest minds – it’s must for fans of words, wit and good company.
Have you heard? There’s a giant, ribbon-filled cloud floating above HOTA right now! CLOUD PLAY is a dazzling kinetic sculpture by Patrick Shearn, shimmering by day and glowing by night with light, sound and local voices. Catch this sky-high spectacle while it’s here and on display until July 13 as part of WONDER festival at HOTA.
Explore literary treasures at HOTA’s blockbuster exhibition Writers Revealed: Treasures from the British Library and National Portrait Gallery, London. The one-of-a-kind exhibition experience brings together over 100 rare manuscripts and portraits from literary legends like William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, William Blake, Virginia Woolf, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Lewis Carroll, Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and Zadie Smith – many of which have never been seen outside the UK. Structured in five thematic sections, the exhibition spans 500 years of authorship, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of iconic English-language writers through their original works and portraits.
Marvel at illuminated night walk Astra Lumina at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The cosmic after-dark journey will take you on a curated trail through Currumbin’s 27 hectares of pristine bushland by night, with immersive projections, incredible lighting and otherworldly soundscapes. It’s a must! Grab your tickets here.