We're currently in that glorious time of year when we're quite literally surrounded by public holidays, long weekends and extra days off. And we are certainly not complaining. You can bet we are going to make the most of an extra day off this ANZAC Day long weekend—the sun is shining (supposedly), the vibes are high, and it’s the perfect excuse to get out and explore.
There’s no shortage of free events, live music, food pop-ups, and festive happenings lighting up the Gold Coast this ANZAC Day long weekend. From big name music gigs to car shows and movies under the stars, consider your weekend plans sorted. This is one long weekend you’ll actually want to make plans for.
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 25 April
Support Local Venues This ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day is all about commemorating our diggers, past and present, but it is also the crown jewel in a string of public holidays that simply can’t be spent on the couch after the annual dawn service. Yet again, the Gold Coast has answered our call with a slew of bars, cafes and restaurants open this ANZAC Day.
After paying your respects to the ANZACs, you deserve a tasty meal and an ice-cold drink; we've rouned up some of the best venues keeping their doors open this ANZAC Day. You can find your closest ANZAC Day service to attend here.
Rock Your Heart Out At This INXS Tribute Show Hitting Miami Marketta
If you’ve got a soft spot for Aussie rock legends INXS, clear your calendar this Friday night from 7pm because LIVE BABY LIVE is bringing the ultimate tribute show to Miami Marketta. Recognised as the most electric and authentic INXS experience around, this high-energy show will take you straight back to the glory days of the '80s and '90s—with all the swagger, moves and hits you know and love.
Expect a jam-packed two-hour set of bangers like Need You Tonight, New Sensation, Never Tear Us Apart and Devil Inside, brought to life by six of Australia’s best musicians in full costume. It's big energy, big nostalgia, and the closest you’ll get to the real thing. Tickets are flying—more details here.
What's On Saturday 26 April
Rev Your Engines For This Monthly Retro Car Show
If classic cars, live music and tasty food is your vibe, then mark your calendar for this Saturday at Retro Cruise Night at Country Paradise Parklands. Rolling in on the last Saturday of every month from 4pm to 8pm, this free event is the ultimate throwback party. Expect an epic display of vintage wheels, live tunes all night long, and a delicious lineup of food trucks, market stalls and an outdoor bar to keep you fuelled.
Bring your own ride to show off, or just come for the vibes—there’s even an outdoor bar to keep things cruisy. It’s family-friendly, totally free, and packed with retro charm. Start your engines. More details here.
Grab A Picnic Blanket For This Family Friendly Movie Under The Stars
If you’re on the lookout for a free event that the whole family can enjoy this weekend, we've got you. The City of Gold Coast Movies Under the Stars program is offering free, family-friendly movies from September 2024 to April 2025 across the city.
This Saturday night at Palm Beach Parklands you can catch the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film for free. But it's more than just a movie showing—inflatable kids' and toddlers' obstacle courses, giant bubble play, free books from Gold Coast libraries and more kicks off from 4pm with the movie starting at 6pm. There will also be Italian fare available from Balboa Italian, a charity sausage sizzle and sweet treats from the on-site iececream truck. Tickets aren’t required, you can just show up—more details here.
What's On Sunday 27 April
Get Your Groove On At Lime Cordiale's Miami Marketta Show
Clear your Sunday afternoon plans because Lime Cordiale are making a triumphant return to their roots with a one-off gig at Miami Marketta—and it's going to be a sweaty, high-energy throwback to where it all began. After smashing arena shows across the country for their latest album 'Enough Of The Sweet Talk', the band are dialing things back with an intimate show that’ll have you right up close in the action.
Known for their infectious energy, massive singalong vibes and on-stage charisma, Lime Cordiale will hit the stage from 3:30pm, slinging crowd favourites and fresh tracks alike. Round up your mates and get down early—this one’s set to go off. Very limited 18+ tickets remain here.
Catch A Huge All-Ages Punk And Metal Show At Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse is turning the volume way up on this Sunday with 'Spill the T' tour; an all-ages afternoon stacked with punk, metal and electric energy. From 12pm to 5pm, five vibing acts—Defiant Ground, Tomohung, Tawny Hawk, Thank U Please and Twisted Lullaby—will tear up the stage with raw riffs, thunderous drums and high-energy vibes. Whether you’re a die-hard punk fan or just down for some loud live music, this one’s set to go off. Tickets are available for $18 here.
Catch The Gold Coast SUNS vs Sydney Swans AFL Game
The Gold Coast SUNS are going head-to-head with the 2024 Minor Premiers, the Sydney Swans, in a clash at Heritage Bank Stadium on Sunday 27 April kicking off at 1:10pm—and you won’t want to miss it. Gates open from 11:15am, so rally your crew, don your red, gold and blue, and show the GC how to be fearless.
There’s plenty happening off the field too, with epic jetpack entertainment in the Fan Zone from 11:45am to fire up your game day. Even better? Free public transport is included with all pre-purchased tickets—so jump on a Kinetic Bus, train, G:Link or event shuttle and make a day of it. More details here.
What's On All Weekend
World-Famous Literary Treasures Are Making Their Global Debut At HOTA's 'Writers Revealed' Exhibition
Image Credit: HOTA Gallery | Supplied
HOTA is set to host an extraordinary exhibition unlike anything Australia has seen before. Writers Revealed: Treasures from the British Library and National Portrait Gallery, London will make its global debut on Saturday 12 April, showcasing over 100 rare manuscripts, first editions, and 70 iconic portraits of some of the most celebrated writers in history.
Spanning five centuries of literary greatness, the landmark exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the lives and works of luminaries like William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Zadie Smith. Highlights we can't wait to see include Tolkien’s handwritten letters, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway manuscript, Jane Austen’s writing desk, and the only portrait likely to have been painted of William Shakespeare during his lifetime.
HOTA Gallery’s state-of-the-art space will set the stage for this monumental exhibition, which brings together treasures from two of London’s most prestigious institutions. Tickets start at $19—don’t miss your chance to immerse yourself in the stories and creativity that have shaped literary history. There will also be an exciting lineup of events to complement. More details here.
Take Your Tastebuds On A Global Experience At Dreamworld’s Street Food Festival
If you’re a fan of street food, we've got just the kid-friendly festival for you. Currently running until Sunday 27 April, Dreamworld’s Street Food Festival takes you on a journey through Europe, America and Asia that you can taste, exploring an wide selection of dishes inspired by global flavours. Wander around the theme park and discover pop-up stalls and unique dishes to satisfy any craving. We’d recommend filling up on the Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Precinct 3 (America), paired with chorizo skewers from Precinct 2 (Europe) and finishing with a sweet matcha dessert in Precinct 1 (Asia). More info here.
Walk Among the Stars at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Astra Lumina
Only recently opened, Astra Lumina has started out with a big bang—pun intended. The illuminated 1.5km night-time walk will have you feeling over the moon—literally. Located in the bushland of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, journey across nine remarkable light shows inspired by the stars, ending with a photo booth to capture the memory. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a family-friendly adventure, tickets are currently on sale for $35 from every Wednesday to Saturday. More details here.
Dig Up Easter Surprises These School Holidays At Tamborine Mountain’s Thunderbird Park
Combat your school holiday fear by keeping the kids busy this Easter at Tamborine Mountain’s Dig IT experience. Opening seven days a week from Saturday 5 April, grab a hard hat and jump into the driver’s seat of a real excavator to dig up hidden Easter surprises in an action-packed outdoor adventure. With exciting activities for everyone and special visits from the Easter Bunny Construction Crew, join in the fun with your kids and create some lifelong memories. You can book directly via their site.
What's Coming Up
Feast On Street Food Under The Stars At The HOTA Hawker Night Markets
Image Credit: HOTA Markets | Supplied
The HOTA Night Markets are returning this June, and we can't wait for this feast for the senses. From 4pm to 9pm on Saturday 7 June, wander through over 150 gourmet stalls slinging everything from steamy dumplings to crispy banh mi under a sky of glowing lanterns.
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 and check out more details here.
Crack A Cold One With Stone & Wood’s Festival Of The Stone This June
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.
Solento Surf Festival Hits The Gold Coast This June
From 7 to 14 June, the Solento Surf Festival is bringing a full week of waves, film, art, and live music to Burleigh Heads, Mondrian Gold Coast (opening May 2025), and HOTA. Curated by legendary surf filmmaker Taylor Steele, the festival will feature epic surf flicks, world premieres, artist talks, a beachside surf comp, pop-up bars, live tunes, and more. Kick off the good vibes with a community surf contest on Burleigh Headland, where locals can go board-to-board with the pros. It's all about surf culture, storytelling, and slowing down to soak it all in. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind celebration of coastal creativity. Find all the info you need 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
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