Winter might be here, but the Gold Coast is keeping things hot with a weekend full of food, festivals, family fun, and feel-good energy. Whether you're dancing under the stars, thrifting your way through vintage gems, or soaking up art and live music, there's no shortage of things to do.
From five-course feasts with culinary royalty to snow parties for the little ones, this weekend really does have it all. So round up your crew, layer up, and scroll on for everything worth doing across the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country this weekend.
Jump to each section:
What's On Friday
What's On Saturday
What's On Sunday
What's On All Weekend
What's Coming Up
What's On Friday 6 June
Get Fabulous at Wunderbar, A One-Night-Only Glittering Celebration At HOTA
Image Credit: The Huxleys | Supplied
Wunderbar is hitting the HOTA Outdoor Stage for one glittering, high-energy night this Friday. As part of Wonder Festival, this glamorous after-dark celebration of queer art and culture is set to dazzle with performances from stars including Natalie Bassingthwaighte, The Huxleys, and a stellar lineup of DJs, drag, dance, and performance art.
Produced by GOLDYs and presented by Experience Gold Coast, the 18+ event runs from 6pm to 10pm, with tickets just $30. Strictly no BYO—just bring your sparkle and dancefloor crew. More details and booking here.
Find Yourself Some Free Doughnuts On National Doughnut Day
Heads up—this Friday is National Doughnut Day, and that means you can get your fingers on some free, toasty-warm doughies. What better way to start the weekend? Krispy Kreme is giving away 100,000 original glazed goodies, so head to your local store to score yours.
Donut King is also getting in on the action by giving away one free hot cinnamon doughnut to every customer. You’d best believe we’ll be hitting both.
Get Your Listening Ears On For Two Of Australia’s Best Storytellers
Powerhouse journos and podcast royalty Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb are bringing their hit show Chat 10 Looks 3 to the Gold Coast for a special live event at HOTA. With millions of downloads and a loyal fanbase, their smart, funny takes on books, writing, and life have made them household names.
This is your chance to hear them talk storytelling, friendship, and the books that changed their lives. A must for anyone who loves reading, conversation, and clever company. For more information and tickets, click here.
Sit Down For A Five-Course Meal With A Three-Michelin-Star Chef
Image Credit: Marco Pierre White | Supplied
Culinary icon, nay, legend Marco Pierre White is back on the Gold Coast for an incredible dining experience at Palette. Join him this Friday for an intimate Q&A hosted by Palette Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law, followed by a five-course feast spotlighting Southeast Queensland’s finest produce.
The menu is a true collaboration between Chef Marco Pierre White and Palette, paired perfectly with matching wines. Expect big flavours, local flair, and a rare chance to dine with one of the world’s most legendary chefs. Secure tickets here.
What's On Saturday 7 June
Don’t Hate The Groove Is Back For Its 12th Edition
Back by popular demand, Don’t Hate The Groove is hitting Mo’s Desert Clubhouse for its 12th edition, and if past parties are anything to go by, this one’s set to go off. Expect a stacked lineup of DJs, artists, and a pop-up record store bringing the vinyl vibes.
It’s all about good tunes, great energy, and dancing like nobody’s watching. Tickets always move fast, so grab yours now, dust off those dancing shoes, and get ready to groove the night away. For more info and tickets, click here.
Dine Under The Stars At Nocturne Gastronomy
Five top chefs, one starry night, and a menu to remember—Nocturne Gastronomy is serving up a five-course collaboration like no other at HOTA this Saturday night. Local culinary legends, including Tim Stewart, Koki Anekawa, Melanie Day, and Dayan Hartill-Law, are teaming up with the godfather of modern cooking, Marco Pierre White, to showcase the Gold Coast’s finest flavours.
It’s a celebration of local talent, seasonal produce, and unforgettable dining that’s not to be missed. Not to mention, each dish will be expertly matched with wines by HOTA’s award-winning beverage team. This is an evening that’s too good to miss, so grab tickets here before they’re gone.
Snow & Glow Winter Parties Are Coming To Paradise Resort
Get your winter woollies ready, because Paradise Resort is turning up the cool factor with its brand-new Snow & Glow Winter Party, running on select Friday nights throughout June and July. Expect family fun with glowing igloos, silent discos, marshmallow toasting, snow globe workshops, a Northern Lights-style projection show, and so much more.
Entry is free for in-house guests, or grab a local ticket from just $20 per person. Don’t miss the Launch Party this Saturday; it’ll be winter magic like you’ve never seen on the Gold Coast. Click here for more information and tickets.
What's On Sunday 1 June
Rock Out to Frankie’s Famous House Band at Mo’s
Sharpen your eyeliner and dust off the denim—Frankie’s World Famous House Band is rolling into Mo’s Desert Clubhouse for one night only, and it’s going to be loud. With epic collabs under their belt (think KISS, GNR, ACDC), this crew knows how to throw down.
Expect two blistering sets of hard rock classics, killer vibes, and maybe even a surprise guest or two. Grab your tickets here before they’re gone.
Hit Up Australia’s Biggest Curated Thrift Market
Clear your calendar and make room in your wardrobe—Fashion Thrift Society is rolling into Gold Coast Turf Club this Sunday, and it’s set to be the ultimate treasure hunt. Think over 100 stalls of vintage gems, preloved designer finds, unisex fits, handmade numbers, and more.
You’ll also find delish food trucks, a local DJ spinning tunes, and a beauty bar serving up tooth gems, henna, piercings, and permanent jewellery. Oh, and did we mention free tattoos, barber cuts, and nail art (yep, free—but first in, best dressed). It’s fashion, fun, and good vibes all in one—find out more here.
What's On All Weekend
Turn Back Time At Australia's Largest Nostalgia Festival
Image Credit: Cooly Rocks On | Supplied
Clear your calendar and dust off your dancing shoes—Cooly Rocks On is back from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 June, transforming Coolangatta into a retro-fuelled, rock ‘n’ roll wonderland for five epic days of nostalgia. Think: Elvis impersonators, vintage fashion, swing dancing, and over 1000 classic cars lining the beachfront.
This year’s festival lineup is seriously next level, with crowd favourites like the Show'N'Shine—one of Australia’s biggest showcases of pre-’79 classic cars—sprawling across nearly two kilometres. Music lovers, you’re also in for a treat with international Elvis tribute stars hitting the stage across various nights, competing as part of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. You can expect free live music all weekend—from ABBA and Dusty Springfield tributes to rockabilly royalty.
Other festival highlights include the Cooly Rocks On Pin-Up Pageant, the much-loved Saturday Night Car Cruise, Moonlight Swing Dance, 80s Roller Rink and more. Check out the full itinerary here.
The Mega Solento Surf Festival Kicks Off This Weekend
Image Credit: Solento Surf Festival | Supplied
The Solento Surf Festival will be making waves on the Gold Coast with an incredible blend of surf, film, art, and live music across Burleigh Heads, HOTA, and Mondrian Gold Coast, and it's all kicking off this Saturday. Curated by legendary surf filmmaker Taylor Steele, the eight-day festival will be packed with epic surf flicks, world premieres, art installations, live tunes, artist talks, and beachside sessions that will showcase surf culture beyond the break.
The highlight? A community surf comp on Burleigh Headland on Saturday 7 June where locals can go board-to-board with legends Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, and Rob Machado in a fun, no-pressure format. Burleigh Hill will transform into a buzzing hub with live music, food trucks, and a pop-up beach bar.
Over at HOTA, Steele will be hosting an intimate filmmaking masterclass and launching an art exhibit featuring works by Otis Carey and David Bromley. Then it’s three nights of surf cinema, live gigs, and special guest Q&As at the Mondrian to close it all out.
Whether you're into boards or the big screen, this is a week you won’t want to miss. Find all the info you need here.
Wonder Festival Continues This Weekend At HOTA
HOTA’s six-week Wonder Festival is well and truly underway, and if you haven’t seen it yet, the sky is calling. Floating above the Outdoor Stage is CLOUD PLAY, a 530sqm kinetic sculpture by globally renowned artist Patrick Shearn—made from tens of thousands of ribbons and community messages, it shifts with the breeze by day and lights up in a dazzling, data-reactive glow-show by night.
The weekend is packed with free and ticketed events, from live music and food pop-ups to First Nations storytelling, queer shows, and family-friendly fun that will continue for a couple of weeks to come. It's big, bold, and beautiful—make it your weekend culture fix. More details here.
What's Coming Up
Crack A Cold One At Stone & Wood’s Festival Of The Stone This June
Image Credit: Festival of the Stone | Supplied
Things are warming up in Byron Bay this winter as Festival of the Stone returns on Saturday 14 June. Hosted by Stone & Wood, this epic night blends fresh brews, live tunes, and community spirit. The star of the show? The 2025 Stone Beer, a bold, limited-edition winter release brewed the old-school way with hot stones and select Aussie malts, giving it a rich, smoky caramel flavour.
Pair your pint with live sets from homegrown legends like Old Mervs, Josh Pyke, The Belair Lip Bombs, dust, FELONY, and strayfold. Even better, all proceeds go to support Byron’s Fletcher Street Cottage. Good beer, great music, and a worthy cause—what more could you want? Early tickets are on sale now.
Feast On Street Food Under The Stars At The HOTA Hawker Night Markets
Image Credit: HOTA Markets | Supplied
The HOTA Night Markets are back this July, and we can't wait for this feast for the senses. Originally scheduled for Friday 7 June, the HOTA Hawker Night Markets will now be returning on Saturday 12 July from 4pm to 9pm. You can wander through over 150 gourmet stalls slinging everything from steamy dumplings to crispy banh mi under a sky of glowing lanterns. Additionally, with HOTA's Wonder Festival 2025 and Luminara lighting up the precinct the same night, it's going to be on seriously delicious evening.
Inspired by the bustling hawker markets of South-East Asia, expect live local music, roving street performers, fire tricks and buzzing night market vibes, set against the dreamy backdrop of the Evandale Lake. Entry is free, so just bring along your appetite (and maybe a spare tote bag for all your take-home goodies) and let the street food adventure begin. You can register for your free ticket here.
Looking for more? Check out:
- Hit up some of the Gold Coast’s best restaurants.
- Book the ultimate staycay at the Gold Coast’s best accommodation.
- Catch up on the Gold Coast food news you missed.
Not enough? Check out 50 free (or cheap) things to do on the Gold Coast.
Main image Credit: Burleigh Festival | Supplied
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.