Young Henry’s Best Served Loud, a scenic marathon and the annual Whale Festival – what’s on this weekend
We’ve compiled a extensive list of the best events coming to the Gold Coast this weekend, in case you’re still looking for something to fill your social calendar. From a musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, and the return of Young Henry’s Best Served Loud festival, there’s more than one way to get your music fix. If it’s food you’re after, there’s Christmas in July at D’Arcy Arms or perhaps Neighbourhood Events Co’s Wine’N’Dine. There’s also the Gold Coast Marathon and Gold Coast’s Whale Festival if you’re in the mood for something a little different. Check out our guide to what’s on across the Gold Coast this weekend.
Markets, festivals and food events this weekend
This weekend, Halcyon House marks 10 years with By the Sea – a two-day dining celebration on July 5–6 featuring renowned chefs Danielle Alvarez and Andrew Milford. Set by the ocean at Cabarita Beach, guests will enjoy a three-course seasonal menu, Roederer Champagne and a keepsake candle for $145 per person. Grab your tickets here.
D’Arcy Arms’ Christmas in July month-long transformation is back by popular demand bringing you a fireplace-warmed Christmas feast and respite from winter’s harsh cold. For only $50 a head, diners are treated to an authentic Christmas feast of roast turkey, Yorkshire pudding, cranberry and apple sauce, and plenty more. Head to D’Arcy Arms’ Irish Pub this winter for a heart-warming dose of Christmas spirit and festive feasting.
Flock to Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise these school holidays for a week of family-friendly entertainment, hands-on activities and more than $15,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. Dance off the winter cold with daily dance-offs between 1:00 and 4:00 pm for instant prizes or enjoy miniature painting workshops with Mr Brix. For the food-oriented, get involved with pizza-making at Enzo’s Cucina, Krispy Kreme doughnut decorating, or the Grill’d burger masterclass. This is an experience that kids and parents alike will love, with free face painting and ‘kids eat free’ deals at select venues including La Playa, TGI Fridays, Kitty O’Shea’s and The Sporting Globe. Watch out the free pop-up dance performances outside Gelato Messina on July 11 and 12. Shoppers who spend $50 or more at Paradise Centre between July 7-12 can score an instant $50 voucher. For one-stop fun for the whole family, visit Paradise Centre between Monday and Saturday next week!
This world-class international marathon has something everyone can get involved in, with nine races to choose from this Saturday. The ASICS Gold Coast Marathon is renowned for its flat, fast and scenic course along the coast, which has seen over 60 per cent of participants reaching personal bests, thanks to winter’s low humidity, wind and temperatures. Apart from the main Marathon, the event also hosts a Southern Cross University 10km run, Wheelchair Marathon, a 2km Junior Dash and more. Most races are close to sold out, so sign up now before it’s too late.
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To celebrate whale season, Gold Coast is once again hosting its annual Whale Festival this Saturday at Justins Park in Burleigh Heads. Alongside live music, this free-entry day is dedicated to giving others the chance to learn, help and appreciate local marine life, including not just whales, but turtles, dolphins, sharks and dugongs as well. With activities like guided turtle walks, beach cleaning, science talks and stalls and exhibits about marine and coastal sustainability, there’s plenty of opportunities to help make a difference for marine life in the Gold Coast.
Neighbourhood Events Co is returning with their newest foodie-focused endeavour – Wine N’ Dine, a self-guided Progressive Long Lunch touring Burleigh’s best venues. This Saturday, be wined and dined at places like La Prova, Kin, Maman, Hail Mary and more. Choose from the four or five-course trails, but choose quickly, before these tickets sell out (and trust, they will).
Gold Coast’s first inclusive skate event and competition is coming to Miami Skate Park this Saturday afternoon. Let it Roll celebrates what makes skateboarding so enticing – the sense of freedom, the expression of creativity, and the connection that is so inherent to the skating community. Welcoming all ages, backgrounds, abilities and experience levels, this free-entry event is offering an afternoon of wheelchair skating, free clinics, pro-skater demos, beginner sessions, and enough food and music to keep the vibes going into the night.
Surface Festival has returned to Miami for the fifth year running with over 250 exhibiting artists, a selection of which have been tasked with muralling over 1500-sqm of Miami’s blank walls. Running until July 13, this free, family-friendly festival will bring an abundance of colour to your cold winter days while celebrating local creatives, cultures and businesses.
Craving a winter feast? Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort’s Terraces Restaurant is serving up two indulgent dining experiences with a special winter discount until August 31. Enjoy the iconic Sheraton Seafood Buffet for $109 (usually $129), stacked with fresh Balmain bugs, oysters, snow crab and more. Or settle in for the Free-Flowing Weekend Brunch for just $119 (usually $139), featuring pork belly bao, chicken and waffles, pumpkin and pine nut quiche, with bottomless mimosas, wine and beer — all served with sweeping ocean views. Rally your foodie crew and book now!
Embrace the apres-ski vibes at Aviary Rooftop Bar’s Aviary Après this weekend! Throughout winter, the popular Southport rooftop bar and dining spot transforms into a cosy alpine escape with fireside s’mores, spiked hot chocolates, mulled wine and some of the city’s best golden-hour views. It’s the perfect way to toast the season – no snow boots required! Read more about Aviary Après over here.
This winter, high tea gets a decadent twist as Calleija Jewellers teams up with Sheraton Grand Mirage for an indulgent high tea experience at Pearls Bar. Running daily from June 1 to August 31, guests will be greeted with ocean views, a welcome cocktail and a parade of indulgent bites – think salmon caviar tarts, champagne-compressed watermelon and white chocolate pearl macarons. Plus, every guest goes in the draw to win a sparkling Tahitian pearl and diamond pendant, and a luxe two-night stay at Sheraton. Treat yourself! Book your spot here.
Music, live shows and exhibitions on the Gold Coast this weekend
Young Henrys is bringing their cherished Best Served Loud music festival back to Gold Coast this Saturday, to showcase trailblazers in Australian music. Brissie locals Girl and Girl will be gracing the stage, alongside Shady Nasty, The Beefs and the Colliflowers. With a selection of Young Henry’s brews and drink specials on offer, this is the quintessential Aussie music gig you won’t want to miss. Grab tickets here.
Explore the critically acclaimed, theatrical interpretation of this classic journey, and see beloved characters in a new, and breathtaking light. The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is the highly anticipated stage production coming to Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts this weekend. Revisit Frodo’s legendary journey across Middle-earth from J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy, reimagined with thrilling performances, spectacular visuals and an exciting and dynamic score. This a show that will enchant Tolkien devotees and fresh faces alike. Grab tickets here.
Join art curator and lifestyle writer, Amber Creswell Bell as she leads a panel conversation with acclaimed Australian artists Michael Zavros and Monica Rohan. Discussing artistic practices and influences in the world of contemporary Australian painting and the topics of identity, environment and imagination, this panel will be an enlightening experience for anyone fascinated by the world of Australian contemporary art. Grab tickets here.
This Saturday, head on down to Burleigh Heads for an afternoon of tranquility at the Michael Haydn Requiem in C Minor concert for peace. The Coolamon Singers will performing, directed by Marco Bellasi, and assisted by pianist Ayesha Gough. Together, this team of highly talented musicians and singers will deliver a performance of Et in Terra Pax, Australian composer Matt Ottley’s musical plea for peace, followed by choral pieces by Mozart, Bruckner and Gorecki. Celebrated soloists, soprano Gaynor Morgan, tenor Greg Massingham, bass Patrick Donnelly and mezzo Morgan Rosati will also be joining the ensemble with their powerfully moving voices. Experience the unifying effect of ethereal choral and musical works in this concert for peace. Grab your tickets here.
Step right up – the circus is rolling back into town! Ashton’s The Great Australian Circus is finally here in Broadwater Parklands bringing over three weeks of heart-racing stunts, laugh-out-loud clowning and gravity-defying feats. Run by the Ashton family for an incredible 175 years, this iconic big top is Australia’s oldest circus, now led by sixth-generation star Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez, who’s been performing since the age of two. With tickets from just $15, don’t miss your chance to catch this magical slice of history under the iconic red-and-white tent. Book your seats here.
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.