Spring Events on the Gold Coast

With an impressive lineup of major events coming to the Gold Coast over September, October and November, Spring isn’t the only thing in the air. You might also hear the strains of live country music from Groundwater Country Music Festival, the revving of engines at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 or the sound of glasses clinking together at Crafted Beer Festival.

Read on to find out about some of the great Gold Coast events happening in Spring 2026. 

SWELL Sculpture Festival: Sept 11 - 20

Currumbin Beach is a magical spot to swim, splash and surf but during SWELL Sculpture Festival, it’s transformed into an expansive outdoor art gallery. Over 80 large-scale sculptures by local, national and international artists  will be on show along the Currumbin coastline. For an extra special experience, visit at dawn to see sculptures backlit by the rising sun.

Dig a little deeper into the creative arts with a program of cultural experiences including kids creative workshops, artist talks, guided sculpture walks, sunrise yoga and pilates sessions, free live music and a silent disco at sunrise! Visitors can also soak up the atmosphere at cafes along Pacific Parade or with a drink and food truck feed at the Fringe Bar. By inviting the audience to engage in an interactive experience with creativity, SWELL makes art accessible, enjoyable, inclusive and inspiring.

Location: Pacific Pde, Currumbin

Crafted Festival: September 12

Some people say beer tastes better in the sunshine and you can put the theory to the test at Crafted Festival. This froth-filled celebration of craft brews, live tunes and good times is held in the shady beachside park precinct of Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach. 

Over 50 of the best craft breweries from around the country will be serving over 400 different kinds of beer (all the other beverages like spirits, seltzers and vino are on offer too) alongside food truck feasting and live entertainment. On the music stage, indie rockersThe VANNS are headlining this supported by local bands and DJ sets. 

All of Gold Coast’s favourite breweries will be there including Burleigh Brewing, Balter, Madocke, Precinct Brewing Co and Roji Cat. Get involved in beer-illiant activities like beer pong, basketball shootouts, beer yoga (yes, it’s a thing) and ping pong competitions. 

Location: Kurruwa Park, Broadbeach 

BLEACH Festival: October 1 - 11

From October 1 – 11, BLEACH Festival will transform the HOTA Precinct, parklands and Evandale Lake into a colorful, interactive and creative sensory explosion for your eyes, ears and heart. Alongside a packed program of live music, contemporary dance, storytelling and mind-altering art, BLEACH presents some fabulous public art installations to engage your senses, spark curiosity and invoke delight.  
 
There’s an open-air live music stage by the lake, pop up bars and food trucks, a joyful launch event and cool cultural experiences that show off Gold Coast’s creative side. Expect some epic shows at the Outdoor Stage with performances from SIX60, Sub-Tribe, Electric Fields and Lady Blackbird, Many of the performances are completely free so come early, stay late and soak it up.

Location: HOTA (Home of the Arts), 165 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise 

Overtone Festival : October 2

Set in the shady grounds of Musgrave Park, this open-air music event brings together the finest underground international and Australian electronic artists. With multiple stages and headliners including Barry Can't Swim, Avalon Emerson, Ben UFO and Eva Charley, festival goers at Overtone can look forward to premium sound, creative stage design, and a carefully curated programme, all set against the backdrop of lush greenery and Gold Coast sunshine. 

Location: Musgrave Park, 120 Musgrave Ave, Southport 

Groundwater Country Music Festival: Oct 16 - 18

Groundwater Country Music Festival is rolling into the Broadbeach this October. If three days of FREE country music and jam-packed festival fun sounds like your kinda vibe, then giddy up and get amongst it!

With some of the best country music stars on the lineup including Kasey Chambers, Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers, Beccy Cole and James Blundell, this free festival combines country music and city vibes and with stages throughout the streets, parks, restaurants and pubs of Broadbeach. 

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the country music scene, this is the perfect excuse to gather your crew, dust off those boots, and experience the ultimate coastal-country mashup. Groundwater is an accessible festival and all abilities can join in the contagious party atmosphere.

Location: Central Broadbeach.

2026 Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500: Oct 23 - 25

If the sound of engines revving gives you goosebumps and trackside is your happy place, then welcome to the best race weekend on the calendar. Our main motorsports event, the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, will see the famous Surfers Paradise Street Circuit come alive again with supercars, action, and plenty of off-track fun.

The lively festival event makes this one a favourite, with plenty of accommodation options on the circuit, world-class music acts and family-friendly entertainment across three thrilling days. Drivers complete 100 laps of the course so no matter where you are along the track, you’ll see non-stop action from the biggest names in motorsport. Be there for this epic celebration of one of Australia’s biggest sports. (Side note - unless you’re attending, best to steer clear of the race precinct for this weekend.)

Location: Surfers Paradise

Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold: 17 - 18 October

Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold will return for 2026 bigger, faster and more exciting than ever. This iconic surf life saving event is a gruelling event that tests athletes in swimming, surf ski paddle and running. With long course for elite athletes and shorter formats for emerging participants and community competitors, the action happens on Coolangatta Beach, making it a great event for spectators. Be there to see this epic battle of the country’s fittest, fastest surf life savers.

Location: Coolangatta Beach, Coolangatta 

2026 Rugby League World Cup: October 31

Rugby League World Cup 2026 heads to the Gold Coast in an extraordinary triple-header at CBUS Stadium. Fiji faces France in Game 1, followed by an epic match-up between New Zealand and Fiji in Game 2. The triple-header closes with the Kiwi Ferns versus the PNG Orchids. Don’t miss seeing the world's best play at the pinnacle of global Rugby League.

T20 Cricket - Australia vs England: November 24

Cricket fans will be cheering in the stands at People First Stadium on Novermber 24, 2026. Get ready for a thrilling experience as Australia takes on England in the T20 Men’s International match on the Gold Coast. This is more than just a game - it’s a celebration of cricket, culture, and community. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just love the electric atmosphere of world class sport, this is an event you don't want to miss!

Location: People First Stadium, Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara

Alongside all of these incredible events there's plenty more to do on the Gold Coast during Springtime.