Sessions Surf Festival returns this May with a city-wide celebration of surf, film, art and music
The Gold Coast’s connection to surf culture runs deep, and this May it will be on full display as Sessions Surf Festival returns for its second Australian outing. Running from May 23–30, the nine-day program brings together surf, film, art and live music across some of the city’s most recognisable coastal and cultural spaces.
Previously known as Solento Surf Festival, the event re-emerges under a new name and expanded format, growing from a single week into a broader, city-wide takeover with more community events and activations woven throughout the program.
At the centre of it all is filmmaker Taylor Steele, whose influence on modern surf culture spans decades. As founder and curator, Taylor has shaped a program that reflects not just performance, but the creative ecosystem that surrounds it, from storytelling and art to music and community.
“The Gold Coast understands surf culture at every level. You’ve got some of the best surf breaks, elite performance, deep history, a strong creative community of people. When we brought the festival here last year, the response was immediate, so coming back bigger in 2026 was an easy call,” Taylor said.
“Last year showed us what’s possible on the Gold Coast. This year, we’re building on that foundation with more days, more music, more film, and more community moments.”
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To that end, this year there’s a noticeable shift towards live music, led by a headline performance from Dope Lemon at Miami Marketta. The expanded program also sees the return of several crowd favourites, including the Surf of Origin – a friendly but competitive showdown where pro surfers and NRL players go head-to-head in a QLD versus NSW heat.
Art and film remain central pillars. A surf-inspired exhibition will take over HOTA (Home of the Arts) from May 26, showcasing works from leading contemporary artists, while Mondrian Gold Coast will host a series of curated surf film screenings and premieres across May 28–29, featuring both Australian and international storytellers.
Sessions Surf Festival wraps with a full-scale beach takeover at Burleigh Headland, where the lines between spectator and participant blur. Alongside the Surf of Origin, expect open surf sessions, live music, pop-up beach bars and food vendors, turning one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic stretches into a full-day celebration.
Check out the full line-up of events here.
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