What’s On In The Gold Coast This Weekend, Month And Beyond
Harmony Lee
Contributor | Urban List, Gold Coast, QLD
While the weekend ahead looks a little moody, a bit of drizzle isn’t about to derail our plans. This week’s guide is all about quality over quantity, with a tight edit of genuinely great things to do across the Gold Coast/Kombumerri country.
Better still, most of them are indoors, making them ideal for friends, families and perhaps even a sneaky date if that’s on the cards. Read on for a weekend line-up that proves a little rain never hurt anyone’s social life.
Jump to each section:
What's On Friday 16 January
Be A Dancing Queen At The Mamma Mia Party
Calling all Mamma Mia fans—this is the party for you. The ultimate ABBA singalong is returning to Miami Marketta this Friday night, inviting you to boogy, belt and live out your best movie-montage moment to all your favourite Mamma Mia hits.
Dress to impress (sequins encouraged), fuel up on Marketta eats, and prepare for a night of pop escapism. Tickets are moving fast, so channel your inner Dancing Queen and lock yours in before they disappear.
Where: Miami Marketta, 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD 4220
When: Friday 16 January
Cost: $22 per adult
For tickets and info, click here.
What's On Saturday 17 January
Lobby Rack Sale Returns
As if you needed an excuse to pop in for breakfast—Lobby is back with another rack sale at its chic warehouse digs. Expect cool threads, vintage goodies, jewellery, and more, accompanied, of course, by Lobby’s killer beverages and nosh.
It’s become quite the popular affair, so I suggest carpooling as parking can be tight, but it's definitely worth the battle. What better way is there to kick off your Saturday morning?
Where: Lobby, 60 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters QLD 4223
When: Saturday 17 January, 8am—11am
Cost: Free entry
Find out more here.
Light Up Your Saturday Night At The Water Lantern Festival
Image Credit: Water Lanterns Festival | Facebook
Light up your Saturday night at the Water Lantern Festival, a heart-warming celebration designed to bring people together for an evening of reflection and community. As the sun sets, you’ll design your own lantern before releasing it onto the water, watching hundreds of glowing wishes drift across the water.
Arrive early to soak up the atmosphere with food trucks, live music, market stalls and a scavenger hunt before the lantern launch begins. Family-friendly and feel-good, it’s the kind of experience that will stay with you long after the sun sets.
Where: Evandale Parklands, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
When: Saturday 17 January, 4pm—8pm
Cost: $42.99 per person online, $69.99 per person at entrance
For more information and tickets, click here.
A Morning Of Second Hand Shopping At Miami Marketta
If your ideal Saturday morning involves coffee in hand and a rummage for fashion gems, the Love Me Again Market at Miami Marketta has your name written all over it. From 8am to midday, there'll be 38 stalls packed with pre-loved women's fashion, from designer labels to everyday favourites, in sizes 6–20.
Fuel your shop with coffee, matcha, pastries and Marketta eats, all soundtracked with good tunes and good energy. Entry is free, the venue is fully indoor, and all you need is your market bag (and a little cash) for all the treasures you’re bound to take home.
Where: Miami Marketta, 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD 4220
When: Saturday 17 January, 8am—12pm
Cost: Free entry
Click here for more info.
What's On Sunday 18 January
Rosella’s X Cantina
Image Credit: Rosella's | Supplied
Two Gold Coast favourites are teaming up again, and oysters are the headline act. Rosella’s and Cantina are reviving the golden era of Australian oyster saloons with Oyster Saloon Vol. 2—an afternoon-long homage to Greek-inspired flavours and seriously good drinks.
Expect oysters, and lots of them, and gin cocktails flowing courtesy of Never Never Distilling Co. It’s free entry and the perfect excuse to spend your Sunday afternoon eating and sipping.
Where: Rosella’s, 1734 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
When: Sunday 18 January, from 2pm
Cost: Free entry
Click here for more info.
What's On All Weekend
The Sky Is The Limit At HOTA’s Whimsical New Children's Exhibition
Image Credit: HOTA / Supplied.
HOTA continues to wow their audience with the Children’s Gallery, and the new iteration ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Art’ is no exhibition. As you may have guessed, the exhibition features a lot of clouds, inviting viewers to look up and explore.
But it’s not just any gallery; this feature invites a playful, hands-on experience to its younger audience. Children can explore the Daydream Zone, play Art Detective or get creative with crafting stations.
Where: 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise, 4217.
When: Saturday 8 November—Sunday 1 February, 10am—4pm.
Cost: Free entry.
Find out more here.
Browse The Gold Coast’s Best Markets
One thing the Gold Coast continues to get right is the markets. Whether it's vintage threads, the best food, local produce and live music, they continue to meet the mark. 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
The Ultimate Summer Party At Mondrian Gold Coast
Image Credit: Mondrian Gold Coast | Supplied
If your summer calendar is lacking in pool parties, then Mondrian’s Sounds of Summer: Long Weekender on Friday 23 January is here to change that. Haven Pool Club will morph into an open-air dancefloor, complete with ocean views, Patrón margaritas, delicious bites and an all-day soundtrack of DJ beats.
Headlining is global heavy-hitting duo Solardo, bringing their high-energy music to the coast, backed by a lineup of talented Aussie tastemakers including Kessin, Danni B and Chunky. With the promise of day drinks and dancing, this poolside party is shaping up to be an unmissable event. Tickets are on sale now and won’t hang around.
Where: Mondrian Gold Coast, 3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
When: Friday 23 January, 1pm—8pm
Cost: $80 per adult first release, $90 per adult second release, $100 per adult final release
For tickets and more information, click here.
La Clique Is Returning To HOTA In 2026
Image Credit: La Clique | Supplied
After a massive sold-out run in 2025, the internationally adored cabaret-circus show La Clique is making its way back to HOTA in 2026—and trust us, this encore season is going to be even bigger, bolder and more fabulous. Expect a fresh lineup of world-class performers alongside the cult-fave acts everyone lost their minds over last year, serving up a heady mix of high-octane acrobatics, seductive cabaret and laugh-til-you-snort comedy.
If you missed out the first time (or you’re ready for round two), consider this your sign to lock in a night of glitz and gasp-worthy spectacle.
Where: Lakeside Room, HOTA Central
When: 26 March to 19 April 2026
Cost: Tickets from $49
Click here for more info.
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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