12 Epic Sunshine Coast Events To Check Out This April

April starts off with an Easter bang—and excessive amounts of chocolate, of course—but the long weekend is over all too soon. Once the long weekend is over (we’re not crying, you are) it’s time to turn that frown upside down and start planning your April calendar. Chin up Sunshine Coast, we’re here to keep the good times rolling with your ultimate to-do list for April. Whether your autumn vibes are food and drink related, or you’re keen for some art, culture and tunes, this month is looking mighty fine.

Grab your diary ‘cause we’ve got a busy month planned for you with all of the best things to check out on the Sunshine Coast in April.

An Evening Of Magic & Wizards & Quizzes

Calling all Potter fans (Muggles are included too)! Prepare to be transported into the mystical world of magic and wizards at An Evening of Magic & Wizards & Quizzes. This 3-hour magical, family-friendly evening will wow you with mysterious entertainment and an exclusive tell-all Q&A with Potter cast members, including James and Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright and Chris Rankin. Suit up in your best wizard-y attire, as prizes will be awarded for the best Potter-themed costume, so get crafting! Tickets include entry to a magical post-show cocktail party, where you can mingle with actors and magicians. Accio, tickets!

When: Saturday 17 April, from 6:30pm to 9pm
Where: Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North Street, Caloundra
Cost: $35+ ticket prices vary

Behind The Drag Cabaret Show

Grab the glitter and prepare to embark on an oh-so-glam journey of self-discovery, passion, self-love and a whole lot of sparkle (obvs). Behind the Drag is an uncensored, interactive and emotional cabaret show that tells the inspiring story of Justine Kane. For all you RuPaul fans, imagine the drama of the behind the scenes stories with the glitz and glamour of the main stage. Expect a lot of glitter, high energy routines, jaw-dropped costumes and touching stories of self-discovery. Spice it up and grab your tickets, stat.

When: Thursday 15 April
Where: Nightquarter, Birtinya
Cost: $45-$92

Butterfingers At NightQuarter

The Sunshine Coast’s favourite musical misfits, Butterfingers, are back, breaking hearts and bones (mostly their own) and debuting their killer new single at Nightquarter this April. The dynamic band will celebrate their new album with an epic national tour, so now’s your chance to hear their sizzling new headliner before they take off around Australia. True to form, Butterfingers will be pounding out genre-bending tunes encompassing hip hop, punk, reggae and about everything that makes you want to scream and headbang. Text the group chat, round up your squad and grab your tickets for what is set to be a hectic night of banging tunes and good vibes.

When: Friday 9 April, 4pm
Where: Nightquarter, Birtinya
Cost: $35

Speed Dating At Coffee Cat

Tired of endlessly scrolling through dating apps? Gone on one too many awkward, dead-end blind dates? It’s time you upped the ante and found your special someone at this ooh-la-la Speed Dating evening. No, this speed dating isn’t that out-dated thing of the past your parents went on—it’s a lowkey, fun and connected way to meet like-minded people, right on the balmy beachfront. You’ll be greeted with a drink on arrival, seasonal canapes, ice-breaking games (no nerves here) and a romantic, beachside atmosphere.

When: Wednesday 7 April 7:30pm & Thursday 8 April, 6:30pm
Where: Coffee Cat on Kings Beach, 8 Levuka Ave, Kings Beach
Cost: $30

Stellar Earth Gathering Festival

After the sell-out success of their last event, Stellar Earth Gathering is back and is kicking it up a notch with a groovy campout gathering. Celebrating creativity of all types, there will be a diverse range of workshops by talented artisans, but when nightfall arrives, the music will start and the party begins. Stellar Eather Gathering boasts a jam-packed artist lineup for both days but is also full of family-friendly workshops including yoga, dance, massage, kids activities and safe natural spaces. Step out of your daily routine and enter into an uplifting experience, celebrating life at a slower pace. Count us in.

When: Friday 9 April 3pm to Sunday 11 April 8pm
Where: Crystal Waters Eco Village, Conondale
Cost: $7-$140

Secret Garden Micro Music Event

The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens will be transformed into a mini concert venue this month, playing host to performances from talented local and touring artists at the Secret Garden Music Event. From indie tunes to gritty blues and reggae vibes, the featured artists will take over the Sculpture Garden and transform it into an intimate live performance space. Grab a picnic blanket, relax with your friends in this unique setting and chill out to the tunes of local artists Demi Casha and Solua. Weekend plans, sorted.

When: Sunday 4 April, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Where: Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Tanawha
Cost: Adults: $15, Children: $5.00

Divine Frequencies

A magical journey through space and time with some of Australia’s greatest talent? You’ve got our attention. Divine Frequencies is an inspiring music, arts and lifestyle festival, where you can expect an exhilarating mix of live and electronic music, performances and visionary art. Chuck in educational workshops and lectures, a huge food and market space and a Divine Tribal vibe (yeah we don’t know what that is either) and it’s set to be a transformational weekend of vibing. Held just outside of Imbil, zen out in the beautiful surroundings while celebrating music and creativity with groovy peeps. Tickets are selling quickly, so get your hands on them ASAP.

When: Friday 23 April to Saturday 24 April
Where: Imbil (location details released to ticket holders)
Cost: $125

Australian Surf Life Saving Championships

Competing in a swimming or running race (any sport, really) might not be our thing but standing on the beach and watching people much fitter than us compete—while trying to remember the last time we went to the gym—sure is. The 2021 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships are hitting the Sunshine Coast this April and are set to bring more action-packed fun than ever before. Watch all the action from the stunning beachside locations, cheer the talented competitors on and once you’ve worked up a sweat from all that spectating, chill out at one of the many bustling cafes along the foreshore. 

When: Friday 16 April to Saturday 24 April
Where: Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba
Cost: $5 for spectators

Australia Zoo Easter Holiday Fun

The little ones might be running amok during the holidays, and if you’re desperately looking for an activity to tire them out and give you some well-deserved rest, we’ve got just the thing for you. Australia Zoo has got you covered with their awesome Easter Holiday Fun program, which is choc-a-block with family-friendly activities to keep the kiddies busy and burn off that extra school holiday energy. Think a giant inflatable obstacle course, an Easter Bilby Treasure Hunt and a special Easter Egg Hunt, where every hunter receives a fluffy prize. Best of all, all Easter activities are included with your Australia Zoo admission. 

When: Friday 2 April to Sunday 18 April
Where: Australia Zoo
Cost: $35+ 

Vera Blue At NightQuarter

If you’re anything like us, you’re dying to groove out at a festival, but we’ve been making the most of the talented local artists performing on Sunshine Coast, and boy, we aren’t complaining. Electro-pop powerhouse Vera Blue is hitting Nightquarter this April and will be accompanied by the talented Jarryd James, jamming out for what is set to be an epic show. From the multi-platinum ‘Regular Touch’ to the triple-platinum ‘Do You Remember’, the dynamic duo will be playing their most popular songs, interspersed with some less well-known tunes. Tickets are selling quickly, so what are you waiting for? Get those tickets, pronto.

When: Friday 30 April, 5pm
Where: Nightquarter, Birtinya
Cost: $75

Beer Tasting Exbeerience

Attention all beer lovers, we've got some good news: starting from Saturday 2 April, an awesome exBeerience is hitting the Sunshine Coast and you can sip your way through the best craft breweries around. Wet your whistle at Your Mates Brewing Co., Moffat Beach Brewing Co. and Brouhaha Brewery, where you’ll be taken on behind the scenes tours, get a close-up peek at how your favourite brews are made, and of course, keep hydrated with lots of tastings. Once you’ve got your beer gut in full swing, you’ll be treated to a hearty lunch and more tasting paddles to quench your thirst. We’ll cheers to that!

When: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in April, from 11am to 5pm
Where: Pick-up from Mooloolaba or Maroochydore
Cost: $160

Riverside Vibes

Grab the picnic rug, stock up on nibbles and settle in for a balmy afternoon of riverside live music. Sounds like heaven, right? Located in the scenic Charles Clark Park, Riverside Vibes is set to be a chilled-out afternoon of live music, sunshine and summer vibes. After being cancelled in March due to wet weather, this much-anticipated show is set to be a big one. Relax to the tunes of homegrown Sunny Coast artists Lizzy Lamborn, SoLar and JC & The Tree, who will be gracing the stage with their originals and classic songs you love and know.

When: Sunday 18 April, from 2pm to 5:30pm
Where: Charles Clark Park, Mooloolaba
Cost: $5.00

Now that your diary is full with all of the best events happening in April, take it slow with an intimate dinner at Sunshine Beach’s cosy new dining spot. Dig into blue cheese ice cream (don’t judge it ‘till you try it) and prepare to fall in love with the gorgeous Humble on Duke.

Image credit: Luisa Denu