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 Mar 2025
Improv: Fun and Games
Think on your feet! Learn how to face your fears of being in front of an audience! Enhance your skills to think outside the box and learn how to be funnier! In this seven-week improvisation course by Blah Blah Blah Improv, you’ll have fun learning how to make up short comedy sketches on the spot. You’ll also get to play some of the hilarious theatresports games made famous by the hit improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Over seven weeks, you’ll learn ways to: Embrace failure Be in the moment Be a better listener “Yes, and?” (work with other ideas) Run with your first instinct Create whole comedy scenes from a small suggestion Be a supportive team player Connect with others It doesn’t matter if you've previously performed, because we create a supportive and inclusive community in our classroom that feels safe and is loads of fun! Some people learn improv to become better at auditions or stand up comedy, while others learn improv to apply the techniques socially or at work. Whatever your reason for learning improv, you’ll learn techniques that will increase your awareness and skills that could enhance other areas of your life. There’s no preplanning or scripts—so get out of your head, be in the moment, and have some fun with us! Two Gold Coast locations and Byron Bay.
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03 Feb 2025
Broadbeach Beats & Eats
Get ready for an unforgettable day at Broadbeach Beats & Eats on Sunday, 2 February 2025. Now in its second year, this free community event is back with more music, delicious food, and family-friendly fun, all proudly supported by the City of Gold Coast.
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06 Feb 2025
AACTA Industry Day
Join AACTA for a dynamic and immersive day of events, where Australia’s vibrant and ever-evolving screen industry come together to connect, share, and innovate. Following the AACTA Awards Industry Gala, AACTA Industry Day will bring the industry together, offering a unique opportunity to explore the latest trends, technologies, and creative strategies that are shaping the future of screen media. Whether you're a filmmaker, producer, writer, screen practitioner or just looking to stay ahead of the curve, AACTA Industry Day promises to deliver valuable insights and opportunities to help you navigate today’s screen and television landscape. Don't miss out on the chance to learn, collaborate, and elevate your craft!
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08 Feb 2025
Movies Under the Stars: Despicable Me 4, Southport - Free
What better way to spend an evening than outdoors watching a movie under the stars!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 2024 through to April 2025 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! ***Event starts at 5pm with free interactive kids' activities, live music, and food trucks. Then stay for the movie starting at 7pm!Movie starts: 7pmEvent date: Sat, 8th FebruaryLocation: Parkwood Sharks Rugby League ClubMovie: Despicable Me 4Gru and Lucy and their girls — Margo, Edith and Agnes — welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Meanwhile, Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, forcing the family to go on the run.Rating: PGDuration: 94 minutesCategory: Animation, Action, Family, ComedyFor further information or for event updates, see the Facebook event page at COST: Free
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15 Feb 2025
Movies Under the Stars: Barbie, Paradise Point - Free
Movies Under the Stars: Barbie, Paradise Point - FreeWhat 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 2024 through to April 2025 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! ***Event starts at 5pm with free interactive kids activities and live music. Then stay for the movie starting at 7pm!Movie starts: 7pmMovie: BarbieBarbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.Rating: PGDuration: 114 minutesCategory: Comedy, Adventure, FantasyFor further information or for event updates, see the Facebook event page athttps://www.facebook.com/events/edit/848511387242736COST: Free
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18 Feb 2025 - 22 Oct 2025
Ballun Gawrehma: River Stories
Ballun Gawrehma: River StoriesJoin local Kombumerri man Lann Levinge—a multi-talented artist who is a singer, songwriter, producer, director, and creative designer—for a unique journey into the heart of Kombumerri culture. Lann will guide students through culturally significant sites, sharing local history passed down by elders. Begin your exploration at Wulabora, a dedicated space for sharing and gathering that celebrates Kombumerri heritage. Lann will weave together family stories, local history, the legacy of Jenny Graham and the Keeper of the Light, as well as Dreamtime tales and environmental wisdom. This sensory-rich experience includes hands-on interaction with authentic indigenous artefacts—such as clothing, weapons, and tools—alongside immersive soundscapes composed by Lann himself. As Lann expresses, "I’m passionate about discovering new ways to nurture and inspire a new generation of language and cultural warriors. My goal is to raise awareness and foster connections with indigenous culture, particularly the Kombumerri ways and the Yugambeh Language, through visual art, music, and dance." Don’t miss this opportunity for your students to engage deeply with local indigenous culture. Contact education@hota.com.au to arrange your education perspectives experience. This tour is open to school groups only.
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01 Mar 2025
Movies Under the Stars: Despicable Me 4, Ashmore - Free
What better way to spend an evening than outdoors watching a movie under the stars!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 2024 through to April 2025 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! ***Doors open: 6.30pmMovie starts: 7pmEvent date: Sat, 1st MarchLocation: Ashmore State SchoolMovie: Despicable Me 4Gru and Lucy and their girls — Margo, Edith and Agnes — welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Meanwhile, Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, forcing the family to go on the run.Rating: PGDuration: 94 minutesCategory: Animation, Action, Family, ComedyFor further information or for event updates, see the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1934774263687576COST: Free
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03 Mar 2025 - 15 Oct 2025
Songcraft Studio
Songcraft StudioExperience a special season of the Songcraft Studio workshops with Gold Coast's HaydenGoSeek (aka Hayden Andrews of Cheap Fakes). As a collaborative artist with HOTA’s Those Who Rock, Hayden brings a wealth of experience and a unique flair for crafting pop hits with undeniable appeal. Since debuting as a Triple j Unearthed artist in 2007, Hayden has earned a reputation for his versatility across genres and creative mediums. His work has been featured in national campaigns (Pillowtalk, Lexus, HOTA, Central Queensland Tourism), the Netflix series Umbrella Academy, the Hollywood film Move Me No Mountain and more showcasing his ability to seamlessly blend styles while continually pushing the boundaries of his artistry. Hayden’s musical journey has taken him across the globe, performing at iconic music festivals such as Big Day Out, Splendour in the Grass, and many more with his band, Cheap Fakes. A passionate mentor, Hayden is dedicated to helping the next generation of artists thrive. Through his songwriting workshops and collaborations, he guides emerging musicians in finding their unique sound and navigating their artistic journeys. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of the best and take your skills—and your music—to the next level!
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09 Mar 2025
Lecture: Mountains and the Quest for the Sublime – Dr Andrea Bubenik
Lecture: Mountains and the Quest for the Sublime – Dr Andrea BubenikInvoking fear and awe, inspiring us to ascend and transcend, mountains are crucial to the idea of the sublime. From the magic and holy mountains portrayed by novelist Thomas Mann and filmmaker Alejandor Jodorowsky, to the role of mountaineering in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, these sites of elevation have long been catalysts for some of the most dramatic scenes of human contemplation and endeavour. In this lecture I will focus on the special role of mountains to a history of art and the sublime, and especially the fascinating dialogue between Eugene von Guerard’s Mount Kosciusko (1883) and Imant Tillers’ Mount Analogue (1985), shown together for the first time at HOTA. Image credit: Installation view of Mount Analogue by Imants Tillers photographed by Charlie Hillhouse.
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09 Mar 2025
SkyPoint Sea to Sky Stair Challenge
Rise to the challenge and step up for mental health in 2025. The Sea to Sky Stair Challenge is back, bigger and better than ever! Mark your calendar for Sunday, 9th March 2025, as we gather to climb, connect, and conquer for a purpose where you will climb 77 flights of stairs to raise money for mental health charity, LIVIN! The Sea to Sky Stair Challenge has a 9 year history raising over $500,000 for various charity partners in the community. Challenge Accepted? This year, they’re turning up the heat with an exciting new feature: Team Challenges! Whether you're a friendly rival or a fierce competitor, it’s time to call them out. Challenge a friend, foe, or competitor through our online form. They’ll receive a custom email with the details and a chance to accept. Who will you step up with? About LIVIN LIVIN is a non-profit mental health awareness and education organisation founded in honour of a great man, Dwayne Lally. LIVIN is all about living your life at the top and breaking the stigma around mental health. Through the development of an educational program, unique apparel, and community awareness initiatives, LIVIN is driving a generational change towards the understanding of mental health.
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From now until 26 Mar 2025 (Annual)
Movie Review Club
Movie Review ClubOn 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: To Be ConfirmedWhen: Wed 26 March 2025, 10.30amWhere: Panorama RoomCost: Free!
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26 Apr 2025 - 13 Apr 2025
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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12 Apr 2025 - 20 Apr 2025
Moogerah Passion Play 2025
The Moogerah Passion Play is produced by the Moogerah Passion Play Association Inc. a non-denominational association established in 1993. The play has the primary aim of telling the story of Jesus. Up to 100 people are involved as cast and crew to bring the story of Jesus Christ to life and around 3 000 people attend the performances each year. By using drama, many who come and see the play will understand the central truth of the good news (that’s what Gospel means) that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God who came so all who believe in him can have eternal life. They present the play close to Easter as that is when Christians around the world remember the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Their one aim is to present the story as faithfully as we can without regard to doctrine. Their hope is that by coming to see the play, you will look at the story of Jesus with new eyes.
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27 Apr 2025
von Bibra Mitsubishi Gold Coast Running Festival
Join in the fun for the 14th anniversary of the von Bibra Mitsubishi Gold Coast Running Festival. Bring your whole crew along or simply come and run in the Gold Coast sunshine and take in the family friendly atmosphere this event is so well known for. Distances available for all running (and walking) abilities. 3/4 Marathon! Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, 2.5km & 1km Kids Dash. See you there!
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02 May 2025
Alexis Fernandez
Lost, But Make it Look IntentionalDo You F*cking Mind podcast host Alexis Fernandez is bring her debut Australia-wide tour to Gold Coast.Prepare for an educational experience like no other in "Lost, But Make It Look Intentional", where life’s inevitable detours become the most valuable lessons.In this journey of misadventure, you’ll receive 10 life-changing lessons that promise to transform your approach to uncertainty, mostly by embracing it.With a straight-faced delivery and a touch of dry wit, Alexis will cover crucial topics such as "Navigating the Unknown with Spontaneous Confidence", “How to continuously lose sleep worrying about things you cannot control”, and "Turning Everyday misfortunes into Strategic Masterstrokes."By the end, you'll not only feel equipped to handle life’s unpredictability but might even find yourself actively seeking it out. After all, when you make being lost look intentional, you’ll never be without direction.
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14 Jun 2025
Ronald McDonald House Charities 2025 Race Day
Giddy up and get ready to make a difference this One Sunny Race Day. Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland are once again hosting a charity race day to raise much-needed funds for sick or injured kids and their families. Join them at the Gold Coast Turf Club events centre for a day of sensational sips, mouth-watering morsels, and of course, premium trackside views of the races. But that’s not all - you’ll be helping a fantastic cause too! All the proceeds from the event will go directly to support the families of sick and injured kids, providing them with essential resources and accommodation to be close to their loved ones when they need it most. Dress Code: Smart casual attire in pastel colours
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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.