Beachfront Markets’ birthday and Kids Take Over HOTA – what’s on this weekend
From live music and seaside markets to family-friendly adventures for the school holidays, the Gold Coast is buzzing this weekend. Funk fusion musos Osaka Punch are heading to Mo’s to get the weekend rolling, while Dan Rath is bringing his new tour to HOTA to sort through his seasonal depression. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is still in full bloom while up north, Brisbane Festival is throwing out all the stops for its last week. As the spring school holidays take off, the Gold Coast has a wide range of activities and experiences available to keep kids and parents alike entertained. 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 Thursday night, Mo’s Desert Clubhouse will welcome OSAKA PUNCH and their undefinable funk fusion rock to the Cheeky Midweeky stage. Get your weekend rolling with this groovy and charismatic set by grabbing your tickets here.
For their end of year charity concert, Harmony in Health Symphony Orchestra are hosting A Musical Mosaic, blending scores from across genres and eras. Performing pieces like Jean Sibelius’s Finlandia and themes from How to Train Your Dragon, all profits from this showcase will support the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. Tickets can be bought here.
Dan Rath has had a rough year; he got bashed by police and protestors while attending a rally dressed as Boba Fett and lost all his crypto trying to buy a mermaid skeleton, and he doesn’t know whether to blame the microplastics or long covid for his inability to focus. Witness Dan Rath’s Tropical Depression this Saturday night at HOTA as he tries to figure out where to go from here. Tickets can be found here.
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse is slowing things down this Saturday night with Aurora Arts Evolve, an immersive experience combining the soul stirring power or art, music and movement. The evening begins with guided meditation followed by a poetry reading and live piano, followed by acoustic, afro house, tech house and psy-techno sets, in an event designed to ground and awaken the audience. Tickets available for purchase here.
Head on down to Vinnies Dive this Saturday night for a gritty heartfelt performance from Being Jane Lane as they celebrate the release of the music video for their single ‘Company’ for their newest album We’re Doing Fine. The Brisbane locals have been tearing up stages with their punk melodies for years and now they’re bringing the show to Southport. Grab your tickets here.
This Saturday night, Miami Marketta is honouring the late pioneer of alternative rap with Legends Never Die: Juice WRLD Appreciation Night. Join the No Future DJs as they Juice WRLD’s biggest hits and other alt rap tracks till late. Tickets can be bought here.
Markets, festivals and food events this weekend
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Brisbane Festival wraps up this Saturday, giving Gold Coasters a great excuse to travel northward. The 23-day celebration of the city’s history, intensity and creativity has a slew of events on this weekend, including Afterglow in the City Botanic Gardens, Laura Murphy’s The Lovers and Skylore: River’s Edge. Check out the rest of the program here.
Celebrate Spring the right way. Last week Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers finally kicked off to deliver four weekends of blooms, bites and exciting new events. Check out the program and ticket information here.
Surfers Paradise beloved Beachfront Markets are turning thirty this year and celebrating with a massive street party bash complete with live music, roving performers and more than 100 local stalls. With an array of artisans, designers, roaming Brazilian dancers, a kid’s disco and more turning out for the event, this is a celebration of community that can’t be missed. Plus, they’ve just extended their hours from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.
If the warmer weather has you craving a boogie, this Kirra Beach House and Aperol Spritz collaboration is just what you need. Apéro Disco is the new weekly sunset session that is launching this Friday – think golden hour, disco tunes and endless Aperol spritz. Complete with a pop-up bar, giveaways and groovy DJ sets, your Fridays are now sorted. Click here more info.
Southport Sharks now have Sundays sorted with the introduction of buffet breakfasts, family-friendly entertainment and special member rates, available every Sunday. Whether you drop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Sundays at Southport Sharks are offering up all-day fun for the whole family.
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, Carrara Car Boot Markets, HOTA Farmers and Artisan Market, Robina Farmers Market, Marina Mirage Market, Coolangatta Art and Craft Markets and Mudgeeraba Village Markets will be hitting the Gold Coast this weekend.
Art Exhibitions taking place this weekend
Support your local arts community this Saturday, as The Couch Outloud returns with their third Pop-Up Gallery to celebrate the Gold Coast’s vibrant arts scene. Taking over Espresso Bonsai in Surfers Paradise, this arty afternoon is a free event designed to bolster the creative community.
Keen on colour? This weekend, beloved Australian paint slinger, Ken Done, is bringing his iconic pieces to HOTA to showcase his joyful imagination and contagious optimism, in the Ken Done: No Rules exhibition. Check out pieces from the artist’s personal collection, and then stick around to see Ken in conversation to offer insights into his colourful world.
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
Dust off your thinking cap because this Thursday, Southport’s Gallery 8 is hosting a Tapas & Trivia Night for locals to show off their niche knowledge. Expect a cosy setting, great music, prizes and a drink on arrival – if you book your spot here.
Gold Coast architecture fans listen up! This Saturday, Gold Coast Open House (GCOH) is returning for its eleventh year revealing the most intriguing buildings and spaces on the coast. The festival offers rare access to the city’s diverse range of buildings to share the stories, history and innovations behind infrastructure, cultural landmarks and award-winning homes.
Don your dancing shoes for a good cause as this Saturday as Broadbeach Cultural Centre hosts A Very Fabulous Affair, A Supper Dance for Charity. The event will raise funds for Beauties Feeling Fabulous, a local free pamper service for women undergoing cancer treatment. Expect red carpet arrivals, bubbles and decadent dinner as raffles, prizes and giveaways provide all the fun. Tickets can be found here.
Family friendly fun coming to the Gold Coast these school holidays
The Langham will launch its first Spring School Holiday program this September, bringing loads of fun for the kids and a luxury for parents. The program is open to the public, so you families don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy the host of activities available from family yoga and pizza-making classes to disco parties and Kids Club.
Dreamworld is bringing hay bales and cowboy hats to the Gold Coast these school holidays with Country Fair, a two-week long celebration featuring country-style eats and entertainment, barnyard animals and a live beehive installation. With special guests Lachlan Gillespie (the Purple Wiggle) and the Big Red Ute also making an appearance, getting out to the country has never been easier. The Country Fair will run from Saturday September 20 to Monday October 6 – buy your tickets here.
Southport Sharks are welcoming the spring school holidays with a host of family friendly activities and entertainment guaranteed to keep everyone happy on their days off. From Frenzy’s Coastal Spring Feast Buffet and Wobbygong’s Kids Zone to tasty treats down at The Café and Mackenzie’s Sports Bar broadcasting all the games, Southport Sharks have school holidays sorted.
HOTA is bringing back Kids Take Over for another year of hands-on workshops, exciting performances and boredom busting adventures with a space-themed twist. Kids can enjoy the Galactic Space Wall, space-themed circus act Into Space, and free and ticketed activity options during the two weeks of non-stop fun. To keep the tykes entertained for the school holidays, check out the Kids Take Over program here.
Little chefs can work on their dough skills these school holidays with Pizza Making Masterclasses at QT on the Gold Coast. Professional chefs guide kids to make their very own Italian creations so parents can rest assured knowing they’re learning from the best. Book a session here.
These school holidays, Pacific Fair is launching The Summer Club, a hub of activity where shoppers can find brand giveaways, deals and summer themed merchandise up for grabs. Pacific Fair will also introduce The Kids Summer Club, offering activities like bucket hat customisation, beach games, putt putt and more.
If you’re looking for a chance to learn more about Australian wildlife and get active in nature, this Thursday’s Koala Count Conservation Walk is perfect for you. As a koala conservation team and researchers from Currumbin Wildlife Hospital point out koalas in the wild, you help count and document the sightings.
Spring into Paradise Centre this weekend as the precinct blooms in colour for eight days to celebrate the arrival of spring. The centre will be offering free activities, colourful workshops, foodie experiences and giveaways plus evening entertainment with fire shows, LED dancers and more.