BWF, bella amor and Good Intentions – what’s on this weekend
August has well and truly arrived, and brought with it an exciting array of events perfect for filling up your weekend. From a doggy film festival to a showcase of female adventures, Gold Coast invites you to grab the popcorn and enjoy the show. If it’s a boogie you’re looking for this weekend, the options are endless; pop-punk sensation bella amor, surf-rock outfit Loose Goose and guitar master Daniel Champagne (and more) will take to the stage this weekend with their exhilarating performances. With a selection of markets, live performances and unique experiences also available, there’s no excuse for no plans. Check out our guide to what’s on across the Gold Coast this weekend.
Music and live shows on the Gold Coast this weekend
This Friday night, Gold Coast local and pop-rock sensation bella amor takes to the stage at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse with her auditory journal debut EP this is where i’m at. bella amor’s punchy ballads and energetic edge saw her handpicked by Benson Boone as his Australian tour support earlier this year, where she performed hits like ‘white rabbit’ and ‘daisyfields’ for over 40,000 people. This weekend’s show will be supported by dream-pop songstress maira and the mysterious SIENNA ROSE, making this a night of female-fronted indie music celebration that will have you grooving to your new favourite artists. Grab your tickets here.
Gold Coast local blokes and producers of bold surf-rock, Loose Goose, have heard your pleas and are crashing the Miami Marketta stage this Friday night to celebrate the launch of their fresh new single ‘Split Bills’. The four-man outfit have been making waves through South-East Queensland since 2023, garnering a cult-like following for their undeniable charisma and electric energy on stage. Supported by indie rock rascals CHEEKY LEASH and indie-surf punk-rock newcomers Laurel Hill, Friday night’s stage is set to light up with refreshing local tunes that will get you jumping and yearning for summer. Grab tickets here.
Guitar master and international sensation Daniel Champagne is returning to Australia for a dynamic tour of the homeland. Heralded worldwide as the guitar player of a generation, Daniel Champagne will bring his classically trained and finely crafted music to The SoundLounge this Sunday afternoon in an unmissable event. Having graced the stage with the likes of INXS, John Butler, Tommy Emmanuel and Lucinda Williams, and developed guitar expertise from the age of 5, this is an acoustic show that will leave you spellbound. Tickets are available here.
Celebrated Australian violinist Véronique Serret will be gracing the HOTA stage this Friday with a performance of her newest album, Migrating Bird. The collection of music explores Véronique’s connection to nature and the period of introspection and seclusion she experienced in Brookfield, Queensland during the pandemic. Véronique’s skilful violin playing and vocals will be joined by the didgeridoo, guitar and voice of William Barton, an Aboriginal Australian musician. Together, the two will showcase the dynamic blending of violin and didgeridoo, along with their powerful voices in a performance that invites deep listening. You can secure your tickets here.
Crowd-work comic Luke Kidgell returns home to Australia this August with his new tour Good Intentions to prove that deep down, he really means well. Known most for his unusual and out-of-pocket audience interactions paired with his impulsive comments and intrusive thoughts, Luke hopes to prove his heart is in the right place with his 7th national tour. After touring the US, Canada, NZ and Europe, Luke is bringing his signature interactive comedy style that has earned him four million fans online to The Star Theatre this Friday night. Grab your tickets here but please note – you are signing yourself up to be subject to Luke’s best intentions.
Fans of 70’s American rock band The Eagles can enjoy a blast from the past as The Australian Eagles Show makes it way to Burleigh Heads. Fronted by Michael Thompson and Shayne Browne, The Australian Eagles Show has dazzled stages across Australia, America, Europe and South Africa with their five-piece band and dedication to honouring their rock heroes. The ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ Tour hits Burleigh Town Hotel this Saturday night to deliver an authentic Eagles experience, performing hits like ‘Heartache Tonight’ and ‘New Kid in Town’, along with solo tracks from Joe Walsh, Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Tickets are available here.
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Solo performer and pop/rock dynamo Mark Furze will be bringing his charismatic vocals, guitar skills and powerful energy to SOPO this Sunday for an afternoon of free and captivating entertainment. As a finalist from The Voice 2020 who has shared stages with celebs including Def Leppard, Daryl Braithwaite and ZZ Top, you can expect a skilful and experienced performance from this Australian powerhouse.
Gold Coast’s and Brisbane’s best choreographers, dance studios and performance groups will congregate this Sunday for an electric showcase of talent at Flowcity Industry Showcase 2025. Hosted by Miami Marketta, this Industry Night will switch from kids-focused to adults only after 7:00 pm. Check out the SEQ’s hottest dancers and bustling community in this hotly anticipated industry event. Grab your tickets here.
Markets, festivals and food events this weekend
Are you a cinephile with a soft spot for canines? This Saturday afternoon, you can see your two loves collide at Top Dog Film Festival 2025: A Celebration of Canine Connections. Experience adventures of man’s best friend and a feel-good showcase of the timeless connection between dogs and their humans. The two-hour event will feature the work of independent filmmakers from around the world who have captured the unconditional love and loyalty of our furry friends. With limited tickets and one screening only, secure your spot here before it’s too late.
Treat your furry friends to a change in scenery and head to Varsity Lakes for your daily walk instead. Paws & Pedals at the Boardwalk invites Gold Coast to bring dogs, bikes and good energy to an active and informative morning for pet owners. Supported by Division 11 Councillor Dan Doran – and his dog Boone – the free event will feature pet registration and renewal information along with free bike safety checks to promote active lifestyles in the beautiful city of Gold Coast.
The skies of Broadwater Parklands’ Great Lawn will become a celebration of colour this Sunday with Gold Coast Kite Festival. The free and family-friendly event will celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day with kites for purchase – take one to the skies or lay back on your picnic blanket to observe the colourful display in action. The event will also feature face painting, plants for sale, giveaways and food stalls – perfect for a day out with the family.
D’Arcy Arms’ Christmas in July month-long celebration 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.
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.
When the weekend rolls around, the golden coast turns into a lively hub of recurring produce markets and community gatherings. Miami Marketta Night Market, Palm Beach Farmers Market, Helensvale Farmers Market, Coolangatta Art and Craft Markets, Candlelight Concerts and Mudgeeraba Village Markets will be hitting the Gold Coast this weekend.
Art Exhibitions taking place this weekend
For a celebration of the written word, head south this weekend for Byron Writers Festival. More than 160 writers will flock to Byron Bay for this three-day program at Bangalow Showgrounds, exploring the theme of ‘Passion and Purpose’. Join the crowds to see big names including Marcus Zusak, Hannah Ferguson, Anita Heiss, Tony Armstrong and Helen Garner discuss the topics close to their hearts and their experiences as Australian literary voices. A host of international guests will also join the lineup, from UK author Esther Freud to American-Canadian journalist John Vaillant and more. Single and three-day passes to the festival are available here.
After 11 days of spectacular artistry and vibrant storytelling, BLEACH art festival will close out with a captivating grand finale. This Saturday night, the transformative live performance Cavalcade will begin as the sun sets on Kurrawa Beach for a nighttime celebration of art and nature. Cavalcade blends dressage, opera, orchestra, trick riding and equestrian excellence in an exploration of “Control to Freedom”. As the full moon rises, witness the ancient bond between humans and horses in eloquent action. Can’t make it on Saturday? This twice-in-a-lifetime event will return on Sunday night, but tickets are in high demand – don’t miss this.
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.
Fun experiences hitting this Gold Coast this weekend
Celebrate World Lizard Day at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens this Saturday with a live reptile show highlighting the Australia’s diverse wildlife. For the price of a coffee, you can spend your morning up close and personal with native lizards while learning about the fascinating ecology of Australian fauna. Book here.
An action-packed showcase of stories from fearless women around the world will come to HOTA this Saturday night with Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour 2025. This year’s 2.5 hr line-up will feature mountaineering Alps expeditions, the exhilarating mountain biking skills of Robin Goomes, underground explorations with cave diver Jill Heinerth, death-defying snowboarding and BASE jumping in the Canadian Rockies. For a night of female celebration, physical determination and adrenaline, grab a ticket here.
This Saturday, Cbus Super Stadium will turn into an NRL battlefield as the Gold Coast NRLW Titans and Sydney Roosters fight it out in Round 23 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Doubling the heat, the Gold Coast Titans will take to the field against the South Sydney Rabbitohs after the first game. Grab tickets here before they sell out.
Flock to Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise this August for the chance to win one of seven Parties in Paradise packages curated for next-level fun. When you spend $10 or more at any participating Paradise Centre retailer, scan the QR code in-store to go into the draw to win a package worth up to $2500. The seven packages being offered up include prize money to spend at Timezone, MANIAX, Nahm Talay Thai, Surfers Beer Garden, Wahlburgers, Padlock’d or Celebrity Ink. With every $10 earning you another entry, head down to Paradise Centre for the chance to win an unforgettable party experience to share with the crew.
In the mood for something a little risqué? This weekend marks the last few nights of Paramour Cabaret at The Paramour Chapiteau, an adults-only performance that will take you on a ride you won’t forget. Expect shocking circus acts, bold burlesque performances, seductive vocals, unapologetic drag queens and feats of flexibility to leave you gasping. Tickets are available here.