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Work is Play
You're growing when you're learning. You're growing even more when there's fun to be had. Join a local class or workshop, meet new friends, enjoy a laugh or two and learn something new.
classes & workshops
- Free Event
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From now until 16 May 2027
Cooly Classic Ocean Swim Festival
Swimmers have a rare opportunity to swim a course with some of Australia’s most revered surf breaks as your backdrop – Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta and Kirra.There are four distances, from 1km to 5km, but it’s always the 2.0km Cooly Classic from Snapper Rocks to Kirra Beach which attracts the masses.Your start line, Snapper Rocks, is one of the world’s most famous surf breaks. Then, your course is a straight line to Kirra Beach, passing Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Coolangatta Beaches as you swim.Throughout the week, there’ll be a range of small group sessions and clinics with guest coaches. This is a chance to receive specialist coaching and also swim with local squads at some of the Gold Coast’s favourite open-water training locations.
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From now until 22 Apr 2027
Gold Coast Eisteddfod
South East Queensland is home of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod which is the largest youth festival of performing arts in Australia.It is not only a platform for launching the careers of international performers, but also a place where enduring memories are created, future careers are fostered and the stars of tomorrow are developed.Gold Coast Eisteddfod has sections in all genres of Music, Dance & Drama including Dance Solos, Young People with Disability, Strings, Wind & Brass, String Orchestras, Small Ensembles, Dance Groups, Choral, Bands, Stage Bands, School Dance Groups, Piano, Vocal & Speech & Drama.Held from July to September each year at various venues across the Gold Coast.
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13 Nov 2026 (Monthly)
Art Explorers
Art ExplorersJoin us for Art Explorers – HOTA Gallery tours for little people with big imaginations. These playful sessions invite children and their parents/carers to connect with art through movement and storytelling, encouraging curiosity, creativity and fun! This program is recommended for children aged 2-5. Children must be accompanied by an adult carer and cannot be left unsupervised at any time. Thank you for your understanding.
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From now until 31 Dec 2026
Movie Review Club
On the fourth Wednesday of each month, HOTA Cinema hosts a Movie Review Club. Meet like-minded people and discuss the selected film* with a forum of academics. Simply see the listed film ahead of time and join us on the day for an interactive discussion. It’s FREE to join the club!*To view film cinema ticket prices apply.Film to be reviewed: Sense And Sensibility When: Wed 28 October 2026, 10:30am Where: Lakeside Terrace Cost: Free!
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17 Oct 2026
Paint Your Pet Gold Coast | Ticketed Painting Event | Painted Social
Join Painted Social for a fun and creative night out at Madocke Beer Brewing Co. and turn your favourite furry friend into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!The Paint Your Pet experience is designed for everyone, whether you're a confident artist or have never picked up a paintbrush before. Before the event, simply send in your favourite photo of your pet and they'll have your canvas pre-sketched and ready for you to paint.On the night, you'll be guided step-by-step through the painting process, with all painting materials provided. You'll also receive a mini reference image of your pet to help you along the way, making it easy to create a personalised artwork you'll love taking home.This is more than just a painting class; it's a fun social night to catch up with friends, enjoy some drinks and have a laugh while creating something special. Drinks are available for purchase from Madocke Beer Brewing Co., making it the perfect creative night out for pet lovers.Bring your bestie, your favourite pet photo and get ready for a night of creativity, drinks and good company.No artistic experience required; just come ready to have fun and paint your pet!Tickets are available now through Painted Social.
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17 Oct 2026
Paint Your Pet Gold Coast
Join Painted Social for a fun and creative night out at Madocke Beer Brewing Co. and turn your favourite furry friend into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!The Paint Your Pet experience is designed for everyone, whether you're a confident artist or have never picked up a paintbrush before. Before the event, simply send in your favourite photo of your pet and they'll have your canvas pre-sketched and ready for you to paint.On the night, you'll be guided step-by-step through the painting process, with all painting materials provided. You'll also receive a mini reference image of your pet to help you along the way, making it easy to create a personalised artwork you'll love taking home.This is more than just a painting class; it's a fun social night to catch up with friends, enjoy some drinks and have a laugh while creating something special. Drinks are available for purchase from Madocke Beer Brewing Co., making it the perfect creative night out for pet lovers.Bring your bestie, your favourite pet photo and get ready for a night of creativity, drinks and good company.No artistic experience required; just come ready to have fun and paint your pet!Tickets are available now through Painted Social.
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18 Oct 2026 - 23 Oct 2026
The Emotional Fitness Retreat
The Emotional Fitness Retreat is an inclusive six-day, five-night wellbeing experience held in the peaceful Gold Coast Hinterland.Designed for adults from all walks of life, the retreat welcomes anyone navigating personal challenges, change, stress or difficult circumstances, as well as those seeking greater emotional awareness and healthier ways to respond to life's demands.Hosted by respected emotional fitness author and speaker Cynthia Morton, the program provides practical tools and meaningful insights to help guests better understand their emotions, strengthen their coping skills and build greater emotional resilience.Throughout the retreat, experienced facilitators offer engaging workshops, restorative activities, gentle movement, optional morning meditation and opportunities for reflection, laughter and genuine human connection. The program is guided by the values of compassion, respect, kindness, inclusion and non-judgement, creating an environment where every guest is treated with dignity and care.Guests stay in beautiful private villa accommodation surrounded by nature and enjoy thoughtfully prepared, nourishing meals throughout each day. The carefully balanced program also allows time to rest, recharge and appreciate the peaceful surroundings.The Emotional Fitness Retreat offers a supportive place to pause, reconnect and return home with practical tools, renewed hope and a stronger foundation for navigating life.
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21 Oct 2026
Messy Play at Historic Rivermill : Halloween
Historic Rivermill on the banks of the Coomera River in the Gold Coast Hinterland hosts Messy Play: Halloween , a sensory play session for young children presented by Gumtree Kids.Designed to encourage creativity, imagination, learning, and playLittle ones dig, scoop and explore themed messy play stations at their own pace, with materials that are all safe to taste.Messy play experiences are suitable for children aged six months to five years, with activities tailored to a range of developmental stages.
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24 Oct 2026
HOTA Ideas: Alchemy Curator Floor Talk with Julie McLaren
HOTA Ideas is a forum for leading artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners to share perspectives through public lectures and in-conversation style talks. Join HOTA Gallery Senior Curator Julie McLaren on the opening day of HOTA Collects: Alchemy for a roaming floor talk. Julie will share insights into her curatorial approach to developing the exhibition, revealing stories behind key works in the exhibition.
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25 Oct 2026 (Monthly)
Flicks & Fireworks, Surfers Paradise - Free
Movie on the beach. Fireworks over the ocean. Your new "Last-Sunday-of-the-Month" night out in Surfers Paradise!🎬 FLICKS & FIREWORKS 🎆A free night out on Surfers Paradise beach!Grab your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket and settle in on the sand for a movie under the stars - with a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean at 8pm! 🌊✨And the best part? The movie doesn't end when the fireworks begin! We'll pause for a short intermission, enjoy the fireworks over the ocean, then settle back in to finish the movie.🏁👻 FROM SUPERCARS TO SPOOKY SEASON!After a huge weekend of Supercars action, wind down on Sunday night with a completely different kind of spectacle.Grab some dinner, head down to the beach and settle in on the sand for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - perfectly timed as we head towards Halloween! 🎃Then, right in the middle of the movie, look to the sky as fireworks light up the ocean at 8pm. 🎆🌊It’s the perfect way to finish a massive Gold Coast weekend - and kick off Halloween week!📅 SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER🎬 Movie: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire⏰ Movie starts: 7pm🎆 Fireworks: 8pm📍 Surfers Paradise Beach - in front of Cavill Avenue, near the iconic Surfers Paradise sign🎟️ FREEABOUT THE MOVIE - GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE 👻❄️Who you gonna call? The Spengler family returns to the iconic New York City firehouse, where they join forces with the original Ghostbusters. But when the discovery of an ancient artefact unleashes an evil force with the power to freeze the world, Ghostbusters new and old must team up to save the day.Funny, spooky and packed with supernatural action, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a Halloween-weekend adventure for families, Ghostbusters fans and anyone ready for a few ghosts on the Gold Coast!⭐ Rating: PG🎬 Running time: 1 hr 55 minsAND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING... 🎬🎆Flicks & Fireworks is a brand-new Surfers Paradise program, bringing movies to the beach and fireworks to the sky on the last Sunday of the month.Coming up:🐐 30 August - GOAT⛏️ 27 September - A Minecraft Movie👻 25 October - Ghostbusters: Frozen EmpireSo save the dates - and keep an eye out for more Flicks & Fireworks to come!WHAT TO BRINGBring a picnic blanket or low-backed chair, grab some takeaway from your favourite Surfers Paradise restaurant and make a night of it.Come early, find your spot on the sand and enjoy everything Surfers Paradise has to offer before the movie begins.🌦️ WEATHER & EVENT UPDATESIf the weather is uncertain - or for the latest event information and updates - please check the Spectrum Outdoor Entertainment Events page (https://spectrumentertainment.com.au/events/) or our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SpectrumOutdoorEntertainment/events) before heading out.Flicks & Fireworks is proudly brought to you by Cr Darren Taylor and the City of Gold Coast.🎬 Movie on the beach.🎆 Fireworks over the ocean.🌊 Surfers Paradise.See you on the sand!*** TICKETS NOT REQUIRED – JUST SHOW UP! ***Tickets are not required, however you can ‘reserve a spot’ on Eventbrite to sign up for event updates/reminders.#GCFlicksAndFireworks
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28 Oct 2026
Sunroom – Groovy Games
The Sunroom program provides a safe space for artmaking, creative play and exploration for adults with a disability. In the exhibition Minna Gilligan: True Colours, several classic retro games have been re-imagined with the artist’s signature graphic stylings. Snakes and Ladders becomes Snakes and Rainbows, hopscotch squares have been replaced by roller skates, passionfruit and old-school TVs. In this Sunroom we will customise our own creative boards, dice and tokens for unique game play. No prior art making experience is necessary, only a willingness to engage your imagination, curiosity and sense of play. Recommended for ages 16+
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30 Oct 2026
Movies Under the Stars: Hotel Transylvania, Runaway Bay - Free
What better way to spend an evening than outdoors watching a movie under the stars!The City of Gold Coast Movies Under the Stars program is free, family-friendly fun on offer from September 2026 through to April 2027 right across the city.Gather your family and friends, pack a picnic or take advantage of delicious food options available in the local area.*** TICKETS NOT REQUIRED – JUST SHOW UP! ***Tickets are not required, however you can ‘reserve a spot’ on Eventbrite to sign up for event updates/reminders.Event date: Friday, 30 October 2026Location: Runaway Bay Cricket Club, Runaway BayEvent starts at 4.30pm with kids' activities.Then stay for the movie starting at 6.30pm!Movie: Hotel TransylvaniaDracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teenaged daughter.Rating: PG | Length: 91 minsThis Movies Under the Stars event is proudly brought to the Division 04 community by Cr Shelley Curtis. @CrShelleyCurtisIf weather is uncertain - or for more information including updates - please see the Spectrum or Facebook Event page.For a list of Movies Under the Stars events, see www.spectrumentertainment.com.au/events/category/outdoor-cinema/ or https://www.whatsongoldcoast.au/movies.#GCMoviesUnderTheStars
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31 Oct 2026
The Full+ RunRise - Seaworld Drive, Gold Coast
Australia's first sunrise silent disco fun run! Where attendees wake at the crack of dawn, gathering surrounded by likeminded others in the chosen pace wave and experience a 4 kilometre fun run like they've never done before! All before the sun rises. The event follows a 4 kilometre route, offering 4 paces, followed by a sunrise dance party in the park, pop up coffee and food stalls and bonus activations where attendees can further connect with like-minded community.
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31 Oct 2026
Free Yoga Day: Spring into Joy
As the days grow brighter and spring fills the air with fresh energy, they're opening the doors for a beautiful day of free yoga, meditation, music, wisdom and community. Come and experience the many ways yoga can bring more joy, connection and balance into everyday life.Move your body, awaken your energy, find moments of stillness, explore yoga wisdom, sing along with live kirtan, enjoy a nourishing community lunch and simply spend some time in good company. Come for one session, stay for a few, or make a whole day of it!What's on - Yoga asana classes for all levels - Guided meditation - Chi Kung and energy practices - Wisdom talk - Live kirtan (mantra meditation) - Yin yoga and mantra sound bath - Complimentary chai and nourishing nibbles - Plant-based community lunch (AUD10, pre-paid booking required) - A welcoming, heart-led community space - Special membership and class pass offers - One day only in-store specialsCome and Spring into Joy In a world that can feel busy and overwhelming, it's good to have a place where you can slow down, breathe, move, sing, share a meal and remember what really matters. Come as you are. Leave a little lighter.
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31 Oct 2026
The Art of Cooking Greek with George Calombaris
Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience with renowned chef / restauranteur George Calombaris will join us at HOTA for an intimate masterclass where guests will learn the art of cooking Greek. Dive into the rich and vibrant world of Greek cuisine as George shares his passion and expertise. Discover the secrets behind traditional Greek dishes and learn how to prepare a series of dishes that will transport your senses to the heart of Greece. With a feta washed martini on arrival and snacks throughout the class guests are in for a treat. Reserve your spot now and embark on a gastronomic adventure, limited seats available.
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03 Nov 2026
Melbourne Cup at Garden Kitchen & Bar (Booths)
Reserve a booth for up to 15 guests inside Garden Kitchen & Bar.INCLUSIONSTwo premium shared plattersThree-hour beverage packageLive entertainmentFashions off the FieldMC Carla ToomaWaited service for duration of eventPRICE$2,200 per booth (Max 15 guests)*Includes Eventbrite booking feesWHEN11:30am - 2:30pmTerms & conditionsSubject to availability, change or cancellation. Dietary options will be available on prior request, however additional dietaries will not be able to be accommodated on the day without prior notice. Beverage selection subject to availability and may change without notice. The Star Club Member discounts do not apply. Casino Dollars cannot be used for this event. Booking cancellations must be made at least 7 days prior to the event (by 12.00pm on Tuesday, 27th October 2026). No refund will be provided to no-shows or cancellations made within 7 days prior to the event. Booking cancellations made after the event is sold out will not be refunded. The Star practices the responsible service of alcohol.SHARED PLATTERSPlatter 1Chilled prawn rolls, King prawn remoulade, cos lettuce, Marie RoseCharcuterie platterHouse-made focaccia, smoked hummusPlatter 2Smashed burger slider, special sauce, dill pickle, cheeseLamb koftas, chimichurri , labnaTHREE-HOUR BEVERAGE PACKAGESPARKLINGDomaine Chandon | Yarra Valley, VICWHITE WINEAquilani Pinot Grigio | Friuli-Venezia, ItalyCloud St Chardonnay | Multi Regional, VIC821 Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough, NZROSERameau | Provence, FranceRED WINEWolf Blass ‘Blass’ Shiraz | Multi Regional, SACloud St Pinot Noir | Multi Regional, VICWynns ‘Gables’ Cabernet Sauvignon | Coonawarra SABEERSHahn Super DryXXXX GoldStone and Wood Pacific AleNON-ALCOHOLICHeineken ZeroAssorted soft drinks and juices
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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.