What’s On In The Gold Coast This Weekend, Month And Beyond
Harmony Lee
Contributor | Urban List, Gold Coast, QLD
Eats, beats and classic Gold Coast/Kombumerri goodness are on the cards this weekend, with something happening on every corner. From a Japanese street-food takeover and a world-first sake celebration to vinyl markets, live tunes and spooky cult-classic screenings, the Gold Coast's serving up a little bit of everything—andnd then some. Ready to dive in?
My itinerary for this weekend is looking absolutely stunning; read on to see how you could spend yours.
Jump to each section:
What's On Friday 31 October
Halloween Fun At Sanctuary Cove
Image Credit: Sanctuary Cove Marine Village | Supplied
Sanctuary Cove is set to cast its spell this Halloween weekend with a spooktacular evening of free family fun at The Marine Village. The kids can take on a trick-or-treat trail, tackling six themed challenges—from cursed ring toss to graveyard golf—for a sweet stash of prizes.
As the sun sets, DJ Chadd’s Halloween dance party will keep everyone grooving with games, face painting, dance-offs and costume contests galore. Hours of free entertainment for the little ones and fun for adults, too—this is one Halloween haunt worth popping in your calendar.
Where: Sanctuary Cove Marine Village, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island QLD 4212
When: Friday 31 October, 4pm–7pm
Cost: Free
For more information and registration, click here.
Serve Spooky Glam At Halloween Drag Queen Bingo At Miami Marketta
This ain't no nanna bingo—it's Halloween Drag Queen Bingo at Miami Marketta and things are getting fabulously freaky. Join superstar queens Sarah Problem Hoe, Tall Jan and Ivyy Monroe for a night of outrageous fun, with epic beats from DJ VICES keeping the vibes high.
Feast on Marketta’s delicious food vendors, sip on drinks, and prepare for camp, chaos and costumes galore. MA15+ event and a safe, inclusive space—no kids or babies, no exceptions.
Where: Miami Marketta, 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
When: Friday 31 October, 6:30pm
Cost: Ticket costs vary; click here.
For more details, click here.
What's On Saturday 1 November
Celebrate Ink Gins' 10th Birthday At Husk Distillery
One of the Gold Coast’s favourite gins is celebrating a decade of deliciousness, and Husk Farm Distillery is throwing a garden party to match. Expect cocktails, DJs, free tastings, scrumptious bites, and a few cheeky games to keep the party going.
Dress in disco chic for some subtle Studio 54 flair, then sip, snack, and dance as the sun sets over the distillery. Ten years of Ink Gin calls for a proper celebration, and they’re making sure it’ll be one to remember.
Where: Husk Distillery, 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum NSW 2490
When: Saturday 1 November, from 5pm (NSW time)
Cost: Entry is free
For more information and to RSVP, click here.
Sunday 2 November
Hit Black Hops HQ For A Vinyl Market And Craft Beer Session
If your perfect Sunday involves digging through records with a cold beer in hand, clear your calendar. Black Hops HQ in Burleigh is hosting its own vinyl and DJ market, complete with vintage threads, second-hand gems, live tunes and fresh pours from the brewery. Expect good brews, good beats and even better people.
Where: Black Hops HQ, 15 Gardenia Grove, Burleigh Heads
When: Sunday 2 November, 12pm—6pm
Cost: Free entry
For more details, click here.
Browse Vintage Treasures At A Country Brocante Market
Calling all vintage lovers, O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards is hosting its dreamy Country Brocante Market this Sunday from 7:30am, and it’s the perfect excuse for a crisp country morning outing. Expect beautifully curated antique finds for your home and garden, plus handcrafted pieces from talented local artisans. Grab a coffee, wander the stalls and soak up the vineyard views before settling in for a long lunch and maybe even a cheeky wine tasting.
Where: O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, 852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra
When: Sunday 2 November at 7:30am
Cost: Free entry
For more details, click here.
What's On All Weekend
Sip Your Way Around At The Gold Coast’s First-Ever Sake Festival
Sake lovers, mark your diaries; for the first time, the Gold Coast is hosting its very own Sake Festival. Happening at HOTA across Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November, the lakeside space will transform into a two-day celebration of Japanese sake and culture.
Expect tasting sessions across three hours with 70+ premium sake and fruit liqueurs, meet-and-greets with brewers and sommeliers, free seminars and even a Sake Quiz Rally. Tickets include a take-home ochoko cup, while bottles will be available to purchase for delivery—and just outside, the all-ages Japanese Food Market will be running with free entry. Note: This is an 18+ event
Where: HOTA Lakeside Room, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday 31 October, 2:30pm to Saturday 1 November, 9pm
Cost: $69 per person
For more details and tickets, click here.
Time Warp Your Halloween At Yatala Drive-In’s Rocky Horror Screening
If spooky season calls for sequins, stockings and a little time-warping, Yatala Drive-In is serving the perfect Halloween night out. The cult-classic Rocky Horror Picture Show is hitting the big screen for its 50th anniversary, with sing-along and dance-along vibes highly encouraged—costumes welcome (and honestly, expected). Roll in for the ultimate retro cinema experience, grab popcorn and prepare for a wonderfully strange journey to Transylvania under the stars.
Where: Yatala Drive-In
When: Fri 31 October and Saturday 1 November, 9pm
Cost: $40 per car, up to 6 people
For more details, click here.
Bring The Whole Family To Halloween At Astra Lumina
Image Credit: Astra Lumina | Supplied
This Halloween, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Astra Lumina is going cosmic. From Wednesday 29 October to Saturday 1 November, families can wander a glowing, interstellar trail complete with trick-or-treat stations, astral face painting, and performances from cosmic entertainers.
Kids in their spookiest costumes get free entry (one per paying adult), making it a stellar chance for a family night out. Expect Halloween-themed treats, drinks and plenty of otherworldly fun along the way.
Where: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin QLD 4223
When: Wednesday 29 October to Saturday 1 November, from 6:15pm
Cost: $50 per ticket; one child free per paying adult
For more information and to book, click here.
Head To HOTA For A Free Japanese Food Market And Cultural Festival
Keen for a cultural feast? HOTA Parklands is transforming into a Japanese Food Market alongside the Gold Coast Sake Festival, serving up street-food bites, handcrafted goods and traditional performances from taiko drumming to cultural dance.
With free entry, family-friendly vibes and two full days to explore, it’s the perfect place to snack, browse and soak up the atmosphere.
Where: HOTA Parklands, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday 31 October, 2:30pm to Saturday 1 November, 9pm
Cost: Free entry
For more information, click here.
Cali Beach Club Is Back With A Euro Summer Vibe
Image Credit: Cali Beach Club | Supplied
Cali Beach Club has officially reopened after a multi-million-dollar revamp, bringing a slice of the European summer straight to Surfers Paradise. The reimagined rooftop oasis is bigger, brighter, and even more luxurious, with daybeds, pools, live DJs, saxophone sets, and that signature Cali sparkle that turns every afternoon into a party.
Expect Mediterranean-inspired bites, creative cocktails, and golden-hour magic set against the city skyline. This weekend, there's an after-dark party on Friday night, followed by Gold Coast 500 events over Saturday and Sunday. Where better to spend your weekend?
Where: Cali Beach Club
When: Fridays 5pm—1am, Saturdays & Sundays 12pm—1am
Cost: Prices vary depending on events.
For bookings and further information, click here.
Ken Done Is Painting HOTA In Colour This Spring With A Vibrant New Exhibition
Image Credit: Ken Done | Supplied
Australia’s king of colour, Ken Done, is bringing his unmistakable style to HOTA with a bold new exhibition that’s bursting with joy, nostalgia and serious creative freedom. Ken Done: No Rules will take over HOTA Gallery from this Saturday 13 September to 15 February 2025, showcasing his unmistakably Australian works from the ‘80s through to now, including exclusive pieces from his own collection.
Visitors can also enjoy a captivating animation of a selection of Done’s iconic paintings, offering a new and immersive way to experience his vibrant universe. In a celebration of art, fashion and collaboration, the exhibition also features a selection of dazzling garments from 'Done Zone', the 2023 collaborative collection between Ken Done and Australian fashion label 'Romance Was Born'.
When: Saturday 13 September to Sunday 15 February, 2025
Where: Gallery 1, HOTA
Cost: Ticket prices vary; up to $21
More details here.
Step Inside The Upside-Down at House Down Under
Image Credit: House Down Under | Supplied
House Down Under has flipped the Gold Coast on its head, now open at Pacific Fair just in time for the spring school holidays. Australia’s first inverted house lets visitors wander ceilings, dance on furniture, and snap surreal photos in rooms like an upside-down bathroom, lounge, and kids’ play area.
With unlimited time inside and tips from friendly staff, it’s a fun, creative experience for families and friends alike. Tickets start at $19 per person, with kids under four free, making it a playful and affordable day out.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, 32 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters
When: Saturdays & Sundays, 10am—6pm; weekdays, 12pm—6pm
Cost: $19 per person aged 4 years and older; under 4 years free
Click here for more information.
Browse The Gold Coast’s Best Markets
Sunshine, shopping, and some of the Gold Coast’s best bites—markets on our sun-kissed coastline continue to bring the vibes. Whether you're after vintage threads, local produce, live music or artisanal goods, there’s something for absolutely everyone. Check out our ultimate Gold Coast markets guide for the full wrap-up on where to go and what to eat. Happy strolling.
What's Coming Up
Burn After Dark Returns To Three Blue Ducks For A Fiery Summer Edition
Image Credit: Three Blue Ducks | Supplied
After lighting up winter with their first iteration, Burn After Dark is back to turn up the heat with a summer festival edition on Friday 28 November. Inspired by desert nights and Moroccan magic, this Byron bash blends fire-cooked feasts, live music, and art under the stars at The Farm.
Expect a stand-up fire feast by the Ducks, snacks from The Smoking Camel, and performances from The Foxy Junes, DJ Monsieur Diop and Velvet Smoke Burlesque. With pop-up bars by Common People Brewing Co., Azteca Margaritas and Jilly Wines, it’s shaping up to be one seriously spicy summer night.
Where: Three Blue Ducks, 11 Ewingsdale Road Byron Bay, Ewingsdale NSW 2481
When: Friday 28 November, from 5pm
Cost: $90 per adult; $40 per child; children under 2 free
Click here for more information and to book.
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
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