If you find yourself waking up, hopping out of bed, showering and brewing your coffee, only to realise you have nothing to do, then we’re here to help.
From Christmas parades and epic light displays to pop-up markets that will be loaded with locally-made gifts, scroll down to check out some of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast this weekend.
All Weekend
Solar Nights
Sippy Downs
Light up your weekend at the Sunshine Coast’s largest light trail. Featuring a sea of captivating light displays, Solar Nights is a celebration of sustainable energy, creativity, the environment and community—thanks to the installation of more than 6000 solar panels at USC, which power a “water battery” and cut their energy use by 40%. After checking out the trail, you will no doubt be feeling peckish, so hit up the collection of food trucks serving loaded fries, Mexican cuisine, donuts, ice cream and more. This is definitely one for the big kids and little kids! All the fun kicks off from 6.30pm.
Saturday 14 December
Makers Tribe Market
Caloundra
Last-minute Christmas shopping never looked better thanks to the Makers Tribe Market. Popping up in the Whitepepper Homewares courtyard in Caloundra this Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm, this is your one-off go-to for beautiful gifts created by local Sunshine Coast creatives. From candles and ceramics, to earrings and aromatherapy, it’s all here.
Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade
Mooloolaba
The annual Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade is synonymous with Christmas on the Sunshine Coast, as decorated boats stream down the Mooloolah River and Kawana Waters canal, passing by twinkling houses and crowds of people lining the water’s edge. Because it’s such a popular event, make sure you get in nice and early (the parade kicks off at 7pm) to get a prime position and don’t forget your chairs/rug and obligatory snacks, it is Christmas after all.
Bottomless Bubbles Christmas High Tea
Buderim
Setting the standard for high tea on the Sunshine Coast, Aimee Provence in Buderim provides a traditional service of loose-leaf English teas, petit fours, savoury ribbon sandwiches and the most scrumptious scones topped with homemade jam and lashings of clotted cream. And, this festive season they’re taking it next-level with a Bottomless Bubbles Christmas High Tea where you’ll indulge in Christmas-themed finger food (save room for the Cherry Ripe macaroon!) and as many glasses of bubbly as you can handle.
Sunday 15 December
Handmade Expo Market
Noosa
Held just in time for Christmas, Handmade Expo Market is exclusively handmade (yes, that’s right, everything is handmade, hand-baked or hand-grown). So, drop by the Noosa Leisure Centre from 9am to 1pm and check out the goods—we’re expecting to find a lot of last-minute presents for family and friends.
Image credit: Brigitte Tohm