Thankfully, we’ve made it through that frosty cold snap, and clear blue skies are back on the horizon—just the way we Gold Coasters like it. If you’re anything like us at Urban List, these glorious days and crisp, pink sunsets are calling for a weekend beyond the four walls.
And with a lineup like this, there’s absolutely no reason to stay in. Whether you’re grooving to reggae beats, grazing through market eats, or heading to the theatre for a culture fix, we’ve rounded up the best things to do on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country this weekend.
Between scouring our magnificent stretch of sand and city for your next best eats and drinks, we just might catch you out there.
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 27 June
Groove The Night Away With Rum & Reggae
Turn up the heat this winter with live reggae, rum specials and river views at Currumbin RSL’s Sound Lounge. The Bredda Brothers will bring smooth grooves and laid-back soul, while the pop-up bar mixes up a menu of rum favourites and tropical cocktails.
There’s no cover charge—just good vibes and great company. Whether you’re dancing or just sipping, this is your Friday night sorted.
A Night At The Theatre, Anyone?
A failed robbery, a pie shop, and a set of surprisingly philosophical hostages—Mr Red Light is part slapstick farce, part existential fever dream, and well worth a night out at the theatre. From NZ theatre legends Nightsong, this genre-bending play is as laugh-out-loud funny as it is strangely profound.
Expect sharp dialogue and big questions as this show takes to the stage at HOTA on Friday 27 June from 7pm. Tickets are limited, so move quickly and grab them here.
What's On Saturday 28 June
Waltz Your Way Through The Southport Street Party
Railway Street is turning into a block-long bash with the first-ever Southport Street Party. Expect local bands, food trucks, artisan stalls, and a flurry of free kids’ activities, all wrapped in a relaxed, family-friendly energy.
When the sun sets, the action rolls on at CSi Club Southport with more music and community spirit. It’s a celebration of the suburb, and everyone’s invited. Get more details here.
Dance It Out At Broadwater Parklands
The music’s loud, the grass is green, and the dance floor is wherever you want it to be. This pop-up 'DJ In The Park' outdoor party running from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 28 June brings DJs, beats, and plenty of room to move and warm up this winter, located next to the Peninsula Playground.
It’s a come-one, come-all celebration of movement, sunshine, and shaking off the winter slump. Free, fun, and perfect for all ages—find out more here.
Vintage Vibes And Rockabilly Riffs Are Taking Over Mudgeeraba
The Memphis Cowboys are taking over Mudgeeraba Springbrook Memorial Hall for a rockin’ retro night of 50s hits and dancefloor flair. Dress the part—there are prizes for best dressed, from poodle skirts to slicked-back greasers—and enjoy a classic hamburger dinner, retro dessert, and a night full of live tunes.
Proceeds go toward veteran welfare, so you can party with purpose. Find out more here.
Winter Daytime Sessions Are Back At Country Paradise Parklands
Live tunes, vintage cars, and enough street eats to warrant stretchy pants—the Winter Daytime Sessions are back at Country Paradise Parklands. The Hat Racks will bring the soundtrack, while markets, a kids’ playground, and a relaxed outdoor bar round out the good times.
Entry is free, the lawn is sprawling, and it’s a Saturday afternoon worth showing up for. For more information, click here.
Cheer For The Gold Coast SUNS On Home Soil
The Gold Coast SUNS are back at home and looking to dominate the Melbourne Demons in this fierce Round 16 clash. Gates open early with family-friendly activities, fan zones and plenty to eat, so arrive hungry and ready to cheer, ‘cause what’s better than a bit of footy with a side of hot chips?
Wear your colours, bring the noise, and help the team light up the stadium. First bounce is at 1:20pm, so clear your Saturday afternoon and grab your tickets here.
What's On Sunday 29 June
Surface Festival Splashes Into Miami
Image Credit: Surface Festival | Supplied
Miami is about to get a lot more colourful as Surface Festival kicks off two weeks of large-scale street art, transforming kilometres of Miami’s laneways and buildings. Running from Sunday 29 June to Sunday 13 July, over 250 artists are bringing colour, meaning, and movement to the neighbourhood—from acclaimed muralists to emerging creatives.
Start at Miami Marketta and stroll the ever-growing trail, including must-see works by Adnate and Luther Cora. Twelve walls across Miami will be transformed from blank canvases into bold new murals by local and national artists including visible locations from the Gold Coast Highway. This year marks the festival’s biggest year of public art takeover, with SURFACE transforming more than 1800 square meters of walls, while the public community fence line exhibition will stretch more than 6km, taking over 20 suburban blocks.
SURFACE is also much more than just art—there will be stacks of free events or low cost experiences from live music and skate sessions to film screenings, paint and sips, and free family-fun events for the kids. Keep your eyes peeled and check out what's coming.
Let The Little Ones Loose At Slick Surfaces At Miami Marketta
Surface Festival is starting strong with a kid-friendly Sunday sesh packed with urban art and high-energy workshops at Miami Marketta. DJ Skool will be spinning, Rock N Slide Skateboarding is running hands-on sessions, and mini art skateparks will take shape under little hands.
$15 gets your little one in—accompanying adults go free. Creativity and chaos guaranteed, so grab your tickets here.
Round Out Pride Month At Hairy Mary’s
The Fair Day Markets are back at Hairy Mary’s, bringing a full day of rainbow retail, drag royalty, DJs, and more. Browse pride merch, gifts and fashion, then stay for a rotating lineup of iconic local queens and live music into the night.
Families are welcome in all outdoor areas, with two pop-up bars and a barbecue keeping the vibes high. This Pride Month finale is not to be missed.
Get Your Groove On At This All-Ages Rock Sesh At Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Mo’s is going family-friendly for the day this Sunday, opening its doors to under-18s with an all-ages matinee of high-energy rock. Sindicate, Last Dig Academy, and Red Rockitz will light up the stage from midday, with food and cold drinks—with and without alcohol—flowing.
Whether you’re a teen rocker or just raising one, this is your Sunday gig. Clear your Sunday for this family funday and secure your tickets here.
What's On All Weekend
Shred The School Holidays At Skatefest
Pacific Fair is flipping the script on winter holidays with the return of Skatefest—a weeklong skateboarding takeover packed with pro demos, DJ-fuelled nights, and Olympic-level action on a brand-new three-metre-high half pipe. From Saturday 28 June to Sunday 6 July, kids can dive into daily Skate Skool and Design Skool sessions, mastering ollies and crafting epic tote bags under expert guidance.
As the week rolls on, the half pipe heats up. Catch a stacked lineup of Australia’s top skaters—including Rome Collyer, Chloe Covell, and Tommy Fynn—tearing it up in daily takeovers, plus Q&As, meet-and-greets, and open skate sessions for those ready to drop in themselves. Get a rundown of exactly what's happening when here.
Wonder Festival Continues This Weekend At HOTA
HOTA’s six-week Wonder Festival is creating chatter all over the Gold Coast, 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.
Ashton’s Circus Is Rolling Into Town
Expect gasps, giggles, and big-top magic as Ashton Entertainment brings The Great Australian Circus to Broadwater Parklands. From gravity-defying acrobatics to classic clown antics, this is circus fun the old-school way—big, bright, and unforgettable (no animals involved).
Sessions run all weekend—and at select times on weekends until Sunday 13 July—but seats are limited, so grab tickets here while you can.
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
Run Fast, Eat Slow At Gemelli’s Pasta-Fuelled Marathon Weekend
Image Credit: Gemelli Italian | Supplied
The iconic Gold Coast Marathon weekend is about to get a whole lot tastier, thanks to the crew at Gemelli Italian and Pace Athletic Run Club. Their two-day event, aptly named Running on Ragu, blends Italian hospitality with runner high vibes—because nothing fuels a 5K like focaccia and ragu.
It all kicks off with a laid-back 5km shakeout run on Friday 4 July from 4pm to 6pm, starting and finishing at Thorn Park in Miami. Expect pasta cups, focaccia, a live DJ, shoe trials from ASICS, and goodies from Dermalogica and PILLAR. Register for the free shakeout run here.
Then, on Sunday 6 July, the celebration shifts to Nobby’s for a post-race recovery party at The Oxley carpark, complete with chill-house beats, gelato protein collabs, hydration stations, and giveaways galore from 10:30am to 2pm. It’s the perfect pairing of carbs and community—register for the recovery party here.
Feast, Fire & Funky Energy: Burn After Dark Hits Byron Bay
Image Credit: Three Blue Ducks | Supplied
Three Blue Ducks is lighting up the night with their very first Burn After Dark—an immersive winter festival fusing fire-cooked feasts, art, and live music in one dreamy Byron Bay setting. Hosted at The Farm on Friday 4 July, this one-night-only bash promises a deliciously wild ride through sound, smoke, and sensory indulgence.
Expect tunes from Drover, The Swamps, Versace Boys and more, alongside fiery snacks from Moonlight, dessert by Loco Love, and sips courtesy of Azteca Margarita, Brookie’s Gin and Jilly Wines. Yum. Tickets include all performances, art installations, an arrival cocktail, and a fire-driven feast by the Ducks themselves—grab yours here.
Hit The lululemon Clubhouse For Gold Coast Marathon Weekend
Whether you’re chasing a PB or just here for the good vibes, lululemon’s Clubhouse at QT Gold Coast is your ultimate home base the Gold Coast Marathon weekend. From Friday 4 July to Sunday 6 July, the pop-up space will be buzzing with shake-out runs, mindfulness sessions, beats by Nick Drabble, and the chance to wind down (or amp up) in the luxe Rhise and Recover lounge.
Expect appearances from lululemon ambassadors, including Katie Martin, and a marathon warm-up with Cheeky Run Club, plus a live episode of Inside Running on Sunday afternoon. Shuttle buses will run early from QT to the start lines, and you can swing by the customisation studio Friday through Sunday to kit yourself out with fresh pre- or post-race gear. Open to all runners, crew, and curious newcomers—check out the full program and register here.
Young Henrys’ Best Served Loud Returns To Miami Marketta
Cult-fave brewers Young Henrys are bringing their legendary Best Served Loud mini-festival back to the Gold Coast, taking over Miami Marketta on Saturday 5 July from 6:30pm. Known for delivering big-stage vibes in intimate spaces, this epic event showcases some of the freshest names in Australian music.
On the 2025 lineup? Rolling Stone-praised locals Girl and Girl, Sydney headliners Shady Nasty, The Beefs, and The Colliflowers. Expect an electric night of live tunes, Young Henrys brews, and good times served loud. Tickets cost $29 and are available here—you'll want to get in early.
Madagascar The Musical Is Coming To Town
Image Credit: Madagascar The Musical | Supplied
The wildest crew from New York City Zoo is escaping onto the stage in DreamWorks’ Madagascar The Musical, just in time for the school holidays. This Broadway-style spectacle brings Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman to life with high-energy performances, exciting visuals, and toe-tapping tunes that’ll have the whole family dancing in their seats.
Designed to dazzle little theatre-goers and parents alike, the show delivers more than fun, with themes of friendship, teamwork and resilience woven through a colourful, multi-sensory adventure. Following a sold-out run in Victoria and the ACT, this much-loved musical is now heading north to The Star Gold Coast on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July, so be quick and secure your tickets here.
Paradise Centre Is Bringing School Holiday Magic to Surfers
Paradise Centre is turning up the volume on school holiday fun with its action-packed 'Let Us Entertain You' campaign, running from Monday 7 July to Saturday 12 July. The week-long program is bursting with interactive entertainment, creative workshops, and family-friendly food experiences right in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
At the centre of the excitement is the Rockstar Monster, a first-of-its-kind in Australia—a giant three-metre interactive LED screen that mirrors kids’ dance moves in real time, inviting high-energy fun and unforgettable dance-offs. There’s also free face painting daily, pop-up dance performances in the Beachfront Precinct, miniature painting workshops with Mr Brix, and a feast of kids’ food masterclasses, including pizza making at Enzo's Cucina, burger building at Grill’d, and doughnut decorating with Krispy Kreme. Find out more information here.
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 one 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.
Sip Away Your Saturday At The Gold Coast’s First Rum & Riddim Festival
Set your Saturday to island time—Rum & Riddim is taking over Six-Tricks Distilling Co. on Saturday 12 July for an arvo of rum tastings, roots reggae, and smoky eats in celebration of World Rum Day. It’s the first event of its kind on the Gold Coast, and it’s totally free.
In a rare collab between five SEQ distilleries—Beenleigh Rum, Lūla Rum, Capricorn Distilling Co., Milton Rum, and the host venue Six-Tricks Distiling Co.—you’ll find tastings, signature cocktails, bottle sales, and giveaways, plus live music from Jesse Morris Band and DJ Red Like Fire setting the backyard vibes. Pitstop Smokehouse will be slinging eats, and the event’s fully family- and dog-friendly. Grab your crew (and your pooch) and head here for more details.
Score Free Pilates Classes At Upstate’s New Palm Beach Studio
Image Credit: Upstate Pilates | Supplied
Victoria’s cult-fave fitness studio Upstate is officially landing in Palm Beach, and they're celebrating the launch with a full weekend of free Reformer Pilates. Running across Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July, the launch party will show off Upstate’s biggest studio yet—complete with 29 beds, bold neon interiors, and the signature high-energy vibes they’re known for.
Expect sweat, strength, and feel-good tunes, all free for the taking. Post-launch, they're rolling out two juicy offers: a $59 unlimited 30-day intro pass, or an exclusive unlimited Reformer launch membership at $59 per week (with your first week free and 50% off the next three). Bookings are essential, so get in early—this one will fill fast.
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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