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Find Your Perspective
There's a rumour that we're not a very "artsy" place. Good thing it's just a rumour. Galleries, theatre groups, nostalgia museums, sculpture festivals and indigenous performances just brush the surface of a cultural canvas that goes far deeper. As they say - art is purely a matter of perspective after all. Looking for more inspiration? Check out the cultural highlights of the Gold Coast hinterland.
arts & culture
- Free Event
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From now until 23 Aug 2026
Your Local Wedding Guide Gold Coast Expo
When you visit Your Local Wedding Guide Gold Coast Expo, expect to be inspired by exciting new products and ideas, see gorgeous displays, listen to live music, plus go in the draw to win great prizes! Register Online for Free Tickets to their Gold Coast wedding expo at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach. Loads of inspiration in a friendly and fun atmosphere!Showcasing reception venues through to cars, beauty, gowns, cakes, photographers, entertainment and much, much more, their amazing expo is the largest and longest running wedding expo on the Gold Coast. They help you plan your wedding using the most reliable and trusted wedding industry suppliers from the Gold Coast and South-East Queensland.All weddings are unique, so whether you're dreaming of a bohemian beach wedding, a rustic, vintage or modern styled wedding, let them help turn your dreams into reality. They don't cater to any one 'style' of wedding - everyone is welcome! See you there!
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23 May 2026 (Monthly)
Kings of Comedy's Gold Coast Comedy Club
🎤 Kings of Comedy: Surfers Paradise Showcase at Oaks Gold Coast Resort 🌴Get ready for a night of non-stop laughs as Australia’s best underground comedy club lands in Surfers Paradise!Join us at the stunning Oaks Gold Coast Resort for a boutique comedy night packed with rising stars, seasoned headliners, and raw, unfiltered talent.Whether you’re a local legend or here on holiday, this is the Gold Coast comedy experience you’ve been craving—no gimmicks, no fluff, just side-splitting stand-up comedy at its finest.Adults-only event (18+)Intimate venue, epic atmosphereDinner & show options availablePerfect for date night, mates night, or solo missions🚗 Paid parking available on site (Crowne Plaza Underground Carpark)🚋 Tram stop right out the frontIf you're planning to have a drink or two—easy access and no need for a designated driver.🎟️ Seating: 6:45pm | Showtime: 7:00pm sharp👉 Book now – tickets move fast and laughter waits for no one!🍽️ Dinner Sessions are before the show 5:45pmFrom Melbourne to the Goldie, Kings of Comedy is bringing the laughs nationwide.Come see why we’re the underground comedy scene’s worst-kept secret—and why the other clubs keep trying to copy us.
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From now until 25 Jul 2026
This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art
This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary ArtImage Credit: Kung Wen-Yi 鞏文宜, RX78-2 2015, ceramic. White Rabbit Collection, Sydney. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Judith Neilson This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art is a demonstration of art’s power to document change, challenge perception and connect across cultures. Capturing the energetic spirit of 21st-century China, this extraordinary exhibition features bold, experimental artworks produced over the last 25 years that reclaim history, interrogate authority and reflect profound social change. Fearlessly engaging with complex global themes and China’s tumultuous history, the artists featured in This Moment challenge prevailing perceptions of modern China. From mesmerising light installations to powerful video art and large-scale sculpture, the experiential artworks in This Moment command attention with sheer scale and striking visual intensity, leaving their mark on your psyche and your social feed. Founded by philanthropist Judith Neilson in 2009, Sydney's White Rabbit Gallery showcases one of the world’s most significant private collections of Chinese contemporary art. Now in a Queensland exclusive, audiences can experience highlights from the collection at HOTA for free. This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art features more than 40 works by 26 artists with artworks spanning video, photography, painting, light-based installations and monumental sculpture. The exhibition includes works by leading artists such as Geng Xue, Guo Jian, LuYang, Peng Hung-Chih, Xu Zhen, Zhang Dali and Zhang Peili.
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27 Apr 2026 - 24 Apr 2026
Solo Mio
Solo MioA wedding disaster leaves the groom stranded in Rome, heartbroken in the world’s happiest city. But with one determined local—and a few meddling vacation couples—in his corner, his ruined honeymoon becomes an adventure he never expected. Because sometimes heartbreak is just the first chapter of a better story.
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From now until 30 May 2026
Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life
Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of LifePhotographs by Luigi Spina. The European Union presents Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life – a breathtaking exhibition showcasing the evocative photography of Luigi Spina, capturing the ancient city of Pompeii like never before. During the global pandemic, with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii closed to the public, Spina had the unprecedented opportunity to immerse himself in its timeless spaces. Over 1,450 photographs emerged from this unique residency, with 300 of them published in the acclaimed book Interno Pompeiano (Inside Pompeii) in 5 language editions in collaboration with 5 Continents Editions (Milan, Italy). Through the lens of a purpose-built camera which allows photos to be taken in natural light, Pompeii is brought back to life. These stunning images invite us to walk its storied streets, hear the echoes of people’s lives, and marvel at the intricate frescoes that capture both the grandeur and intimacy of an ancient European way of living. The exchange of cultural knowledge, traditions and art between the EU and international partners is key to fostering mutual respect and understanding, which creates peace and stability around the world. As a World Heritage site, Pompeii is preserved for the sake of the world, like the 20 World Heritage Sites in Australia. This shared respect for preserving and upholding cultural heritage, leads us to the understanding that we require shared solutions for challenges of the present and future. “I invite you to explore this extraordinary exhibition and experience Pompeii as it once was—vibrant, thriving, and profoundly human”. - Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia.
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From now until 24 Apr 2026
I Swear
I Swear"I Swear" follows the true story of Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson's journey with Tourette's through his troubled teens and early adulthood, having been diagnosed at 15 years old in 1980s Britain, a time when the condition was little known and entirely misunderstood. Initially alienated from his peers and his family, Davidson perseveres in his attempt to live a 'normal' life against the odds, finding some unlikely champions along the way. Countries Of Origin: UK.
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From now until 30 Apr 2026
Trickd Gold Coast
TRICKD, a reality-distorting immersive sensory experience, backed by the globally renowned Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment opens its doors this March.TRICKD will lean into the Gold Coast's appetite for awesome. Kids and adults alike will have their perception warped by mirrors and impossible geometry, discover rooms that tilt the sense of scale and gravity, and enjoy a maze of interconnected spaces where the laws of physics feel negotiable. All this adrenaline-pumping fun is guaranteed to keep the whole family discovering a brand-new side to reality!Guests aren't just thrown into a new dimension; this attraction slowly picks apart reality until it's completely on its head. The experience begins with engaging optical illusions, shifting perspectives, and reflections that feel slightly off-kilter. TRICKD continues to escalate as sound bends, tactile cues mislead, and taste experiments challenge flavour expectations.The grand finale concludes with an immersive digital, glitching environment that blurs the line between the physical and virtual, providing a futuristic finish to the experience.Featuring cutting-edge technology in a multi-million-dollar fit-out spanning 667 square metres, TRICKD is a next-generation addition to the Coast's entertainment mix, and a separate, standalone attraction from Ripley's existing Surfers Paradise venues.
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From now until 21 Jun 2026
A Bigger View
Embark on a journey of epic proportions as you immerse yourself in monumental works of art from the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). Made possible through the Australian Government's Sharing the National Collection initiative, this exhibition brings together masterpieces from the NGA alongside major works from our very own collection.Spanning decades and continents, each epic in scale and subject, these artworks demonstrate the various and unique approaches artists take to the landscape.A highlight for visitors will be two artworks created by Henri Matisse (1869 -1954), one of Europe's greatest twentieth-century modernist artists. Accompanying Matisse's uniquely abstracted views of sea and sky forms is an extraordinary work by senior Australian artist, Imants Tillers, presenting a vision of the Australian landscape inspired by Eugene Von Guérard's 1863 masterpiece North-east view from the northern top of Mount Kosciusko, seen here together for the first time.These works will be complemented by stunning works from HOTA's own collection. Uluru by Pintupi artist Long Tom Tjapanangka brings a First Nations perspective of Australia's biggest landmark to the exhibition, and a stunning hinterland painting by beloved Australian artist Wiliam Robinson invites contemplation of the natural world around us.Prepare to be awestruck by the grandeur of these works, as you explore a bigger view.
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From now until 26 Dec 2027
Carrara Markets Car Boot Sale
Carrara Markets is famous for its Sunday morning Car Boot Sale!If you love a second-hand bargain then you're sure to find it amongst the boots full of preloved fashion, books, toys, homewares, tools, bibs and bobs!If you have a garage full of stuff you don't know what to do with, then you can make some cash from your trash by becoming a car boot seller! Seller sites are $50. No bookings required. Just turn up on the day with your car loaded up & start selling!Carrara Markets Car Boot Sale is open every Sunday morning 7am to 10am in the car park.
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From now until 06 Feb 2028
HOTA Farmers and Artisan Market
The HOTA Markets are one of the Gold Coast's most vibrant community markets, held every Sunday morning, in the iconic HOTA precinct from 6am-11.30am.Like the Gold Coast itself, we're a celebration of independence and lifestyle! They are passionate about local farmers, makers, bakers and growers, we like knowing where our goods come from, and we love supporting new and emerging small businesses. The markets are part of the fabric of the Gold Coast, they're proud to support and foster local artists and live music, as well as supporting social causes representing the local community.Each Sunday HOTA comes alive with in-season farm-fresh produce, delicious artisan foods, boutique fashion and handcrafted wears. All nestled against the backdrop of Evendale Lake and the stunning HOTA landscape.
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30 Apr 2026
Italian Night | Sip & Paint
AboutJoin us for an Italian-inspired evening of art, drinks and good company at Mr PPs Rooftop & Laneway.Enjoy a drink on arrival while you paint your own Italian landscape in a relaxed and social atmosphere.All painting materials are included. No experience needed; just come, sip and paint.DateThursday 30 April 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (UTC+10)Mr PP's Rooftop and Laneway 43 Nerang St, Southport QLD 4215Cost: $59.00
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09 May 2026 (Monthly)
Cowboys and Country at Historic Rivermill
Saddle up for a laid-back day of boots, beats, and good vibes in the Gold Coast Hinterland.On the second Saturday of every month, a free, all-ages celebration of all things cowboy and country — set against the backdrop of our heritage riverside venue.Live country music Mechanical bull rides Whip cracking show by Ringers Western Beginner line dancing Aussie damper making Lasso competition Horse rides Petting zoo and plenty more across the venueWin AUD100 on the Bull.Register for a free mechanical bull ride and you're in the draw to win a cash prize. Want more chances? Register each person in your crew separately. The winner will be notified by SMS on the day.Entry to the event is completely free — no ticket needed.Dust off your boots, grab your hat, and bring the whole family for a proper country day out.
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21 May 2026
Freelance Filmm4kers
Freelance Filmm4kers is an exciting event taking place at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the stunning Gold Coast of Australia. Scheduled for May 21, 2026, this gathering is designed for aspiring and established filmmakers alike, providing a platform to connect, collaborate, and share insights within the dynamic film industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, participate in workshops, and showcase their creative works. This event promises to inspire and empower freelance filmmakers to elevate their craft and network with peers in a vibrant and supportive environment.
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From now until 23 May 2026
Lagoon Beach Club
The Lagoon Beach Club brings luxury, entertainment, and indulgence to the heart of SCIBS. Enjoy all-day grazing by InterContinental Sanctuary Cove, premium beverages, live entertainment, and full Show access. It's your exclusive social hub at the Boat Show!Lagoon Beach Club - Brunch (Thurs-Sat) 9:30am–12:00pmEase into the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show at the Lagoon Beach Club Bottomless Brunch session with an exclusive, vibrant experience overlooking the water.Enjoy roaming canapés, barista coffee, bottomless mimosas, signature bloody mary fountain by Mr. Consistent, Rosé by Whispering Angel, the return of the iconic Veuve Clicquot Sun Club, acoustic live performers and lagoon and poolside seating.All set within a relaxed, social setting overlooking the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove sparkling pool - perfect for starting your day at the Show.Lagoon Beach Club - Beats & Bites (Thurs-Sat) 12:30pm - 4:30pmAdd some energy to your afternoon at SCIBS with a Lagoon Beach Club Beats & Bites session!Expect a curated premium food offering, champagne and rosé activations, interactive DJs and feature entertainment, lagoon and poolside seating - all within a relaxed, social setting ideal for networking.With sun-soaked views, lively tunes, and plenty of space to relax or dance, it's the ultimate laid-back SCIBS session for friends, festival-goers, corporate groups and VIPs alike.
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21 May 2026 - 24 May 2026
2026 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Welcome to Australia's must-see boating blockbuster!The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the greatest show afloat! The Southern Hemisphere's marquee marine event with a superstar lineup of more than 300 exhibitors across everything from the latest marine gadgets and must-have technology to a massive display of trailer boats, sail boats, motor yachts and superyachts plus a raft of exciting new product launches.The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show promises plenty of showstopping moments from exclusive VIP experiences in The Lagoon Beach Club to boatloads of activities, including live entertainment stages, fishing demonstrations, street performers and a fun-filled kids activities. Get along to the biggest and best boating lifestyle show with over 820 boats and thousands of marine products.Don't miss this full-on, four-day, action-packed event of all things aquatic.
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23 May 2026 - 30 May 2026
Sessions Surf Festival
The Sessions Surf Festival invites the Gold Coast community together for a week of entertainment and inspiration. The goal is to create a meaningful culture around films, art, music, and surf. The Sessions Surf Festival will be an all-ages, week long festival hosted at multiple locations throughout the Gold Coast. The community will enjoy film screenings, live music, panel conversations, art exhibits, surf contests and more with world-class surfers and top-tier creatives.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.