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 hitting the pavement for the Gold Coast Marathon (props to you), getting your musical fix at HOTA or checking out SURFACE Festival taking over Miami, 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
Gold Coast Marathon Special Events
HOKA Is Hosting A High-Energy Cafe Takeover At The Holliday
Whether you're running, spectating, or just vibing with the Gold Coast Marathon energy, The Pit Stop by HOKA is taking over The Holliday Coffee in Mermaid Beach from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 July—and it’s set to be three days full of movement, connection and top-tier coffee.
There will be a 4km community shakeout run at 5:30am on Friday, and a 6am community 4km run on Saturday, followed by breathwork with Rory Warnock. You can also your groove on to a three-hour DJ set by DJ Shimmy from 10am on Sunday, plus there will also be limited complimentary merch and free morning coffee for runners. Say less.
The Holliday Coffee will also be decked out with HOKA-branded everything—uniforms, murals, coffee cups, even a collab menu. Whether you’re there to sweat, sip or snag some exclusive gear, this is one GC Mara stop worth making.
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.
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 home base for 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 with Ryan Mannix, beats by Nick Drabble, and the chance to wind down (or amp up) in the luxe Rhise and Recover lounge.
lululemon ambassadors Katie Martin will host a half marathon shakeout run at 9am on Friday, there will be marathon warm-up with Cheeky Run Club at 10am on Saturday, and 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.
What's On Friday 4 July
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 celebration 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.
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.
What's On Saturday 5 July
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.
A Whale Festival Is Making Waves in Burleigh
Get ready to celebrate the giants of the sea; the Gold Coast Whale Festival is hitting Burleigh Heads' Justins Park on Saturday from 9:30am to 3:30pm and it’s completely free. Hosted by local legends Humpbacks and Highrises—Queensland's largest marine mammal monitoring program dedicated to the protection and research of marine mammals—the festival is all about raising awareness for our oceans and the Gold Coast's incredible marine life.
There will be live tunes, eco-friendly market stalls, and hands-on exhibits from researchers covering whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and more. Pack a picnic, bring the kids, and fall a little more in love with our oceans. More details here.
What's On Sunday 6 July
Surface Festival Splashes Into Miami
Image Credit: Surface Festival | Supplied
Miami has just got 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 are 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 on this weekend.
What's On All Weekend
The Gold Coast Marathon Is Taking Over the City This Weekend
Image Credit: Gold Coast Marathon | Website
Lace up and get ready to hit the pavement because the Gold Coast Marathon is taking over the Gold Coast this weekend with thousands of runners taking to the streets for one of Australia's biggest race events.
Running from Saturday 5 July to Sunday 6 July, the weekend-long festival of running includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km and junior dashes, meaning there's a race—and a cheer squad moment—for everyone. Whether you're chasing a PB or just there for the vibes (*raises hand*), expect city-wide energy, beachfront finish lines, and serious post-run endorphins (and kick-ons). You'll find us cheering on the sidelines!
LOTR Fans, A Magical New Musical Is Coming to HOTA
Image Credit: Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale | Supplied
Middle-earth is calling, and it's heading straight for the Gold Coast. Launching on 4 July 2025, Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale will make its Queensland debut at HOTA as part of its national tour.
This epic reimagining of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary saga is packed with music, magic and fresh theatrical twists. Just in time for the winter school holidays, you’ll follow Frodo’s legendary journey across Middle-earth, brought to life with original music, stunning staging and a cast of some of Australia’s top musical theatre talent.
Expect to see big names like Jemma Rix as Galadriel, Ian Stenlake as Saruman and Rarmian Newton stepping into Frodo’s hairy feet. Whether you're a lifelong Tolkien fan or just after a winter night of incredible theatre, this is one adventure you won’t want to miss—it's showing exclusively at HOTA from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 July. Tickets and more details here.
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.
Cosy Up Under The Stars At This Magical Stargazing Night In Byron
This weekend, Byron’s night sky is putting on a show, and you’ve got front-row seats. On Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July, Elements of Byron is hosting an unforgettable stargazing experience, and if you’ve ever wanted to witness the Milky Way in all its glittering winter glory, now’s your moment.
Hosted by Byron Bay Stargazing and expert astronomer Dimitri Douchin, this intimate evening kicks off at 6pm and is timed with the rise of the galaxy’s queen—the Milky Way—stretching across the sky from horizon to horizon. Through telescopes, guests can dive deep into the cosmos, exploring the Jewel Box cluster, the Scorpion constellation, Southern Cross, Omega Centauri, and the dramatic Eta Carina.
Add a crackling fire pit, a glass of red or hot chocolate, and your cosiest winter layers, and you’ve got one magical night. The stargazing event costs at $78 for adults and $55 for kids, and bookings are essential via phone on 02 6643 0561.
A Giant T-Rex Is Taking Over Robina Town Centre These School Holidays
Ready for a prehistoric adventure? From 30 June to 13 July, Robina Town Centre is turning full Jurassic with a larger-than-life school holiday activation that dino lovers of all ages will dig.
In partnership with Universal Productions, Jurassic World: Rebirth features an epic three-metre-tall animatronic T-Rex, an interactive fossil dig, AR dinosaur encounters, play zones, and photo opps that’ll transport you straight to the Mesozoic era. It’s free, family-friendly, and running daily from 10am to 1pm. This one’s got serious roar factor (sorry, we had to)—more details 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 until next Sunday 13 July. It's big, bold, and beautiful—make it your weekend culture fix. More details here.
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
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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