October has come around faster than you can say “oh, it’s spring already?” The turning of the months has brought a weekend full of calendar fillers, from the return of Australian hip-hop icon Seth Sentry to Legally Blonde the Musical hitting the stage in Broadbeach. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers celebrates its last days this weekend with Ferris Wheels, floral displays throughout Laurel Bank Park and more. Foodie fans can check out a viral food festival, a revival of the beloved tuckshop ritual at Rosellas Bar or a pink-hued high tea for a good cause. Check out our guide to what’s on across the Gold Coast this weekend.
Icon of Australian hip-hop, Seth Sentry, is bringing his Strange New Past tour back on the road, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the album that cemented him as music legend. Seth will be performing deep cuts, fan favourites and a few surprises at Miami Marketta this Thursday, making this a celebration of music that casual fan and die-hard supporters will cherish. Grab your tickets here.
Ben Lee has been entertaining Australia with his alternative indie tunes for over three decades – now he’s celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Awake is the New Sleep album with an Australia wide tour, with a stop at Miami Marketta this Saturday night. Ben and his band will revisit the nostalgia of one of his most cherished albums for a night of singing about love and adventure while covered in flowers. Tickets are available here.
Australian rock powerhouse, Dallas Frasca, is taking to The SoundLounge stage this Friday night to pay homage to Led Zeppelin. The high-voltage performance will see Dallas bring the legendary discography to life with her signature raw energy, insane guitar skills and powerful vocals. Tickets are available here.
This Friday night, Gold Coast-based hard rock band, Johnny and the C-Sections, are bringing their femme-fronted unapologetic punk to Mo’s Desert Clubhouse. They will be supported by heavy blues, rock and reggae funk band, The Whiskeys, the severely mulleted three-piece, Pity Vincent and high energy rock band, Da Manager. Grab your tickets here.
Everyone’s favourite blonde is heading Broadbeach Cultural Centre this weekend for five showings of Legally Blonde The Musical. The Vargo Studios production will bring all the pink-hued style, unapologetic charm and iconic quotes of the 2001 film to the stage from Thursday to Saturday. Book your seats here.
This Saturday night, the Star Theatre will host a tribute to Rod Stewart’s legendary six-decade career with The UK Rod Stewart Show. Starred by a talented UK vocalist, complete with raspy vocals and iconic mullet, this is as close to the real deal as you can get. Grab your tickets here.
Fizz, footy and good times. Kirra Beach House is transforming into the ultimate seaside playground as Fizz Vodka makes its worldwide debut. Expect a stacked lineup of DJs including MAD.DAY, Grant, TMAMI, Akheel and Jake Smith, spinning sun-soaked sets that’ll carry you from golden hour into the night. Add in the NRL Grand Final broadcast live on the big screen, and you’ve got a celebration that ticks every long weekend box. Find more info here.
Celebrate the impending long weekend with at Mondrian Gold Coast with the launch of its Sounds of Summer series. On Sunday October 5, Haven Pool Club will transform into a luxe open-air stage for an all-day celebration of music, Patrón margaritas and gourmet seafood. From 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, partygoers can soak up the sunshine and sounds with a DJ lineup headlined by Cosmo’s Midnight and Touch Sensitive, delivering world-class electronic beats to Burleigh’s pine-fringed shoreline. Make a booking here.
Celebrate Spring the right way. It’s the last weekend of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ blooms, bites and exciting new events, with Monday being the last day. Check out the program and ticket information here.
Listen up foodies! This Friday afternoon, Bundall’s Gold Coast Turf Club will transform into a celebration of feasting for Gold Coast Viral Food Festival. Featuring more than 50 of the most Instragram-worthy food trends, from Dubai bubble waffles to Raising Canes chicken dupes, this is Gold Coast’s one stop shop for trendy treats. Book your tickets here.
In celebration of spring, Sheraton’s Pearls will be hosting the Pink Ribbon Spring High Tea in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, running from Wednesday October 1 to Thursday November 20. Five dollars from every booking will be donated to fund life-changing breast-cancer research and community programs. Wear a touch of pink while dining on delicacies like rose and vanilla eclair and lemon-butter-curd tarts. Book your spot here.
For Sunday afternoon only, Beudi Agave will transform Rosellas Bar into an Aussie Tuckshop Takeover, dishing out nostalgic cocktails and tucker inspired by the classics we all grew up on. Just like back in the day, the ritual remains, grab a pencil, write your order on a brown paper bag, hand it over at the bar, and let the team work their magic. Expect schoolyard staples like the beef and cheese traveller alongside Rainbow Paddle Pop cocktails reworked with Beudi’s Australian distilled Blanco – the adult version.
Score free slices from Ciccio’s Pizza & Gelato as they celebrate their first birthday. On Saturday October 5, the award-winning pizzeria (recently crowned Australia’s Best Classic Pizza and home to the Pizza Chef of the Year 2025) will be slinging free slices of its famed pizza from 12:00– 1:00 pm. What’s a party without a little tipple? There will be an Aperol Spritz stand alongside a live DJ and plenty of Italian-style party vibes, as locals get the chance to taste the slices that put Ciccio’s on the national map. Mark your calendars for a slice of the action.
This Saturday, Gold Coast’s biggest surfboard store, Nevaboard, is hosting a Carpark Mega Sale and Party in the Nev Carpark. With new surfboards available from $699, live music, food from La Chacha Cabana and free entry, there’s something for everyone from beginners to practiced surfers. More information can be found here.
Nobby’s Street Fiesta is back for another night of Latin-inspired beats, eats and entertainment this weekend. Lighting up Nobby Beach this Saturday afternoon, the street fiesta is bringing Latin dance lessons, Brazilian dance displays, stilt walkers, a pop-up craft bar, fire performers and so much more.
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.
The Golden Thread, a Gold Coast-based feminist arts collective, is bringing its debut group exhibition, Revelations, to ALOW Gallery this October. This Saturday marks the opening night of the exhibition and will feature live performances by experimental artist Lewis and Indonesian-Australian choreographer Juliet Widyasari Burnett. Entry is free but registrations are required.
Jordan Khalef is a self-taught artist on the autism spectrum, bringing his exhibition Through a Unique Lens to Surfers Paradise One Arts Gallery this Friday evening. Witness Jordan’s meticulous eye for detail and his passion for trams, traffic lights and urban landscapes through his rich and emotional paintings. Find more info here.
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.
Australia’s favourite offshore sailing regatta is returning to Main Beach for its 16th year this weekend, incorporating the Australian Sailing QLD Yachting Championships. Sail Paradise will take over Southport Yacht Club from 4:00 pm this Friday, with the celebrations lasting well into the night.
Miss out on tickets? Catch the NRL Grand Final live on the big screen this Sunday afternoon at The Esplanade’s Joytopia in Surfers Paradise. Settle into a bean bag and get ready to cheer on your team at this free screening in the heart of the Gold Coast.
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.
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.
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 and free and ticketed activity options for the last weekend of school holidays. To keep the tykes entertained for the school holidays, check out the Kids Take Over program here.
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.