Here’s What You Need To Check Out At SWELL Sculpture Festival 2026

Mark your calendars, because the highly-anticipated SWELL Sculpture Festival is back for its 24th year, and 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Queensland's largest outdoor sculpture exhibition runs for ten days from Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September 2026, lining the Currumbin Beach ocean walkway all the way through to Flat Rock, Tugun. 

This year's gallery features over 100 large-scale sculptures from more than 300 national and international artists, set between two of the Gold Coast's most iconic rock formations—and best of all, it's completely free to explore.

Since its first exhibition back in 2003, SWELL has grown into one of Queensland's leading arts organisations, and this year marks an exciting new chapter with the festival's expansion into M|Arts Precinct in Murwillumbah. As company in residence, SWELL will use the partnership to build creative bridges between artists in Queensland and New South Wales, opening up fresh opportunities to connect and collaborate across the border. 

Image Credit: SWELL | Leximagery

Closer to home, Currumbin Beach will transform into an unmissable outdoor gallery, ready to be explored at your own pace from dawn until dusk and into nightfall. 

There's also a jam-packed program of live events to sink your teeth into. The mornings are all about moving your body and giving back, with yoga on the sand, a community run club, a beach clean-up and tai chi and sound healing sessions on offer. 

If you're feeling creative, the workshops are where to head—think ceramics, drawing, sculpture-making, lantern crafting and rug hooking, all led by working artists keen to pass on their skills. Once evening rolls around, expect live music, sunset sessions, artist talks and a few delightfully unexpected additions, including Drag Bingo and a Masquerade Ball.

Image Credit: SWELL | Leximagery

Over at SWELL Fringe in Wallace Nicoll Park, there'll be visual arts masterclasses, literary feasts, spoken word and live music, along with food and drinks from the likes of Wildflower Gin, Innocent Bystander wine, Balter and a lineup of local food trucks.

Art lovers should also carve out time for the SWELL Smalls Gallery, where you can browse original smaller-scale works, cast your vote in the People's Choice Award and settle into the beachside lounge with a drink in hand and ocean views. Little ones are well looked after too, with the Kids Elements program connecting younger audiences with the festival's artists and ideas. 

Whether it's a guided twilight walk through the sculptures, an artist-led workshop or simply a wander along the coast, SWELL 2026 has something for everyone. With free entry to the main exhibition and a mix of free and ticketed events across the ten days, it's shaping up to be yet another unmissable year at SWELL.

THE DETAILS

What: SWELL Festival 2026
Where: Various locations at Currumbin Beach, plus pop-up locations across the Gold Coast and M|Arts Precinct
When: Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September, 2026
For more information, click here.

Looking for events to jam-pack your weekend with? Check out the best events happening on the Gold Coast this weekend. 

Main image credit: SWELL | Leximagery