October is upon us and we couldn’t be happier about the the warm change in temperature. We’ve quickly made the adjustment from mochas to iced lattes (perhaps even an iced matcha?) and jumpers to T-shirts—and has anyone else relegated their duvet to the back of their cupboard?
Just like the weather, our events calendar is heating up, so here are our top picks for how to spend your weekend, as well as the coming months on the Gold Coast.
Jump to each section:
What's On Saturday
What's On Sunday
What's On All Weekend
Coming Up
What's On Saturday 5 October
Raise A Stein At Burleigh Brewing's German Beer Hall For Frothtoberfest
Image Credit: Burleigh Brewing | Supplied
Get ready to raise your steins as Burleigh Brewing transforms its iconic Taphouse into the Gold Coast’s most authentic German beer hall for Frothtoberfest on Saturday 5 October. This epic celebration of German culture and craftsmanship promises a day filled with unbeatable brews, live music and good times.
Frothtoberfest will feature eight exclusive German beers on tap, brewed specially for this event, including Helles, Hefeweizen, and Schwarzbier. For just $30, a ticket includes a limited-edition Frothtoberfest half-litre glass stein filled with one of the eight exclusive German beers.
Dig into traditional German-style plates including pretzels with salted butter, currywurst, bratwurst dogs, schnitzel burgers and loaded currywurst fries. There will be plenty of activities running all day including a traditional keg tapping ceremony, live entertainment, games like pretzel throw and Krapfen eating and a best dressing competition—dirndls and lederhosen encouraged. More details and tickets available here.
What's On Sunday 6 October
Support Local At Nobby's Street Fiesta 2024
We love supporting local and you should too. Thankfully, you've got a great opportunity to do so at the annual Nobby's Street Fiesta kicking off this Sunday at 2pm. A free Latin-inspired street festival complete with live music, Latin dance lessons, Brazilian dance displays, stilt walkers, a pop-up craft beer bar and family-friendly activities will be taking over the streets. Fuel up at the local Nobby Beach restaurants and cafes and show them some love. Get all the details here.
Get Your Groove On At Kirra Beach House's Long Weekender Sesh
Image Credit: Kirra Beach House | Supplied
There's nothing us Gold Coasters love more than getting our groove on for a long weekend, and don't the good folk at Kirra Beach House know it. After the huge success of Hard Fizz Long Weekender Volume 1, where renowned DJ Fisher did an impromptu set and crowd surfed amongst his fans, it's time you gear up for Hard Fizz Long Weekender Volume 2 on Sunday 6 October, from 2pm.
The line-up for Volume 2 features some of the Gold Coast's best DJ's including Go Freek, Shimmy, Kessin, Kioses, and Juz Smith. Be sure to wear your best dancing shoes—tickets will only be available on the door. More details here.
Celebrate Gold Coast Icon Mo's Desert Clubhouse Turning Five
To mark their milestone fifth birthday, Mo’s is going all out with a massive day of live music, party antics and the signature fun times the venue is known for.
With Monday being a public holiday, there’s no excuse to miss this all-day celebration, with festivities kicking off at 2pm on Sunday 6 October. The lineup features Mo’s favourite acts from the past year, including Cakes, Couch Wizard, Emu, Fat Dog and The Tits, Hammers, The Lonesomes, Rinser, and The Sex Guys.
Beyond the music, the celebration includes the NRL footy final on the deck with $8 schooners and basics, Mexican food truck, games and prizes and the return of Mo’s famous hot tub. Dress in your best ‘Burning Man’ outfits and don’t forget your swimmers for the ultimate Mo's birthday experience. Tickets from $28 are selling fast, so lock in your spot now. This is an all-ages event until 6pm, then 18+ from 6pm onwards. Snag yours here.
Get Your Groove On At Miami Marketta's Never Ending 90s Party
Get ready to relive the iconic hits that defined the 90s at Miami Marketta's epic Never Ending 90s show which is a nostalgic journey through the decade of flannel shirts, Tamagotchis, and dial-up internet.
They'll take you on a whirlwind journey through genres of pop rock and club hits with such bangers as "Let Me Entertain You", "Vogue", "Backstreet's Back", "Wannabe”, "Wonderwall” and many more. It all kicks off at 3pm this Sunday, so grab your friends, dust off your double denim and neon accessories, and get ready to immerse yourself in the unforgettable tunes of the 90s. More details here.
What's On All Weekend
Hit Burleigh Heads' New Happy Days Food And Wine Festival
Image Credit: Happy Days Festival | Supplied
A vibrant new festival celebrating the best of Burleigh—delicious food, great music and community wellness—is making its debut this weekend and we are, quite frankly, thrilled.
The four-day festival was created with community and sustainability at its heart and will showcase a rich tapestry of local and national talent, gourmet food, craft beverages, and wellness activities, creating the perfect environment for families, foodies, and music lovers to enjoy. Happy Days' exciting lineup of musical talent includes Boo Seeka, Kim Churchill, Chutney, Kyle Lionhard and René Le Feuvre, just to name a few.
Dig into delicious food and beverage options from local vendors including Italian street food from Bigoli, authenic Spanish dishes from Samba Catering Co., gourmet burgers from Motha Trucka and artisanal gelato from That Gelato Co. True to the Gold Coast’s wellness ethos, Happy Days will offer a dedicated wellness zone featuring yoga classes, a Pilates session and well-being workshop from Therapy Fitness, meditation workshops, and mindful activities for all ages. And if you weren't already sold, it's completely free to attend. Get all the details here.
Be Inspired At HOTA's Just-Opened 'Here And Now: Gold Coast Triennial' Exhibition
Image Credit: HOTA | Supplied
When HOTA launches a new exhibition you best believe we visit immediately and this should certainly be the case for you with HOTA's just-opened Here And Now: Gold Coast Triennial exhibition. The second edition of the landmark contemporary art exhibition will celebrate the creative talent of 42 artists living and working on the Gold Coast with the works inspired by their personal histories, career experiences and spanning generations in a thought-provoking atmosphere.
You can explore and wander through seven interconnected gallery spaces each featuring a snapshot of works ranging from medium scale installations, video and sculpture to 2D works. Here and Now officially opens on Saturday 28 September and there is an exciting lineup of events to complement, including Cocktails with Curators, Panel Discussions, Artist in Conversation dinners and even an exquisite exhibition tasting menu from Palette Restaurant. For more information, click here.
Keep Little Ones Busy At HOTA's 'Kids Take Over' School Holiday Program
Image Credit: HOTA | Supplied
HOTA has transformed for the ever-popular Kids Take Over Festival, which is back for another year with a jam-packed program full of boredom-busting creative adventures. This year, Kids Take Over children’s festival is bursting with free and ticketed workshops, live stage shoes, after-dark adventures, creative experiences, performances, and everything in between.
Explore an enchanted forest, enjoy a Roald Dahl classic on stage, imagine life on other planets, discover what happens in the Gallery after dark...and so much more. Perfect for kids aged 3 to 12 (and a few options for teens), it's the ultimate memory-maker and creative play festival for kids. HOTA’s Kids Take Over program will be one for the whole family to experience during the school holidays from 17 to 26 September. Get more details here.
Take It Slow With Some Market Shopping This Weekend
Image Credit: HOTA Markets | Instagram
There is no better way to enjoy the weekend than to visit some local markets. With a wide range to choose from, the Gold Coast is filled with morning, midday, dusk and night markets and we certainly aren't complaining.
If you want food vans, live music, community stalls and fresh Gold Coast produce, take your pick from 24 of the best Gold Coast markets to visit this weekend. From food markets to car boot stalls to arts and crafts markets, we can almost guarantee there will be a top-notch market close to you.
What's Coming Up
A Massive Moonlit Exhibition Is Lighting Up HOTA
Image Credit: HOTA | Supplied
Prepare to experience moonlit magic as the much-loved Wonder Festival returns to HOTA for another year of creative performances and outdoor events, inspired by the silver orb in the night sky.
Kicking off on 18 October, the awe-inspiring two-week lunar experience will centre around the HOTA Stage with a stunning seven-metre-diameter moon sculpture created by renowned UK artist Luke Jerram.
The mega exhibition will complemented by a full—and largely free—program of captivating events including music, markets, inspiring talks and culinary delights. Personally, we can't wait for the second iteration of Night Bites Under Lights, a huge two-night food market with live music and pop-up bars. More information here.
PNAU Is Landing At Miami Marketta In December
Image Credit: PNAU | Instagram
Off the back of their recently released sixth studio album Hyperbolic, Aussie festival favourites PNAU will be returning to Australia this summer, and hitting Miami Marketta on Saturday 7 December.
Expect to hear some of their latest tracks lifted from Hyperbolic, plus hits like ‘Go Bang’, ‘Chameleon’ and of course their multi-billion streaming hit ‘Cold Heart’. 2024 also marks the 25th anniversary of PNAU’s debut album Sambanova, with the ARIA Award-winning album achieving mythical status by its rarity and leaving fans begging for a re-release. Limited tickets remain—snag them here.
What's On 2025
Green Day Is Hitting The Gold Coast For Their Only Queensland Stop
Image Credit: Green Day | Supplied
Global rockers Green Day are heading down under in March 2025 and have just announced they will be hitting the Gold Coast, the band’s only Queensland performance. The multi-Grammy Award winning American rock band will bring their Saviors world tour to Australia for three shows, the first in Melbourne, then Sydney and concluding the tour with a performance at Robina's Cbus Super Stadium on 5 March, 2025.
It has been six years since Green Day toured Australia, and the first time they have performed a stadium show on the Gold Coast. This will be the biggest music concert Cbus Super Stadium has hosted. More information 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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