May is an interesting month. It’s where we all start to have that terrifying realisation that the year is slipping by a little (okay, a lot) faster than we’d like. Plus, with the cooler weather setting in, the days feel shorter too—which generally just leaves us feeling like we don’t have enough time to get out and enjoy everything the Sunny Coast has to offer.
But don’t let yourself slip into hibernation just yet. It’s the last month of autumn and nothing warms you up like getting outside and hitting up some epic events. There are plenty of awesome things to do on the Sunshine Coast this month, from a craft beer festival to a Mexican fiesta and an Indigenous arts exhibition—you’ll find plenty of reasons to step out of the house in May.
Check out our picks of the best events on the Sunshine Coast in May.
Goomeri Pumpkin Festival
Pumpkins? Festivals? Chuck those two in the mix together and you’ve got something wild, whacky and most definitely worth attending. Enjoy a smashing (literally), fun-filled day at the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival where you can participate in the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll, the Pumpkin Olympics and other quirky pumpkin competitions. We’ve all got a streak of competition hidden somewhere in us, so it’s time to embrace it at this novelty festival. Embrace the all-day entertainment, street markets, displays and street parade before treating yourself to the variety of pumpkin-inspired delicacies. Bonus: dress up for the inaugural Pumpkin Pageant and go in the running to win some pretty smashing prizes. It’s definitely unconventional and we love it.
When: Thursday 27 May to Sunday 30 May
Where: Corner Moore St and Boonara St, Goomeri
Cost: Free
Sunshine Coast Dessert Festival
Dessert is without a doubt the highlight—and a necessary part—of any meal so when we heard an entire festival dedicated to dessert is popping up on the Sunshine Coast this month we were beside ourselves. For one sweet day, the Sunshine Coast Dessert Festival will take over Aussie World with a deluge of your dessert favourites, dished up by local and regional food trucks and stalls. Prepare your stomachs and your soon-to-be expanding waistlines for an onslaught of desserts including ice cream, cakes, slices, donuts, lollies, crepes and other delectable goodies, from dozens of mouth-watering food outlets. We’re drooling already.
When: Saturday 15 May, 10am to 7pm
Where: Aussie World, 73 Frizzo Road Bruce Highway, Palmview
Cost: Prices vary, starting from $10
Craft Beer And Cider Festival
Ready to quench the thirst of all beer and cider lovers, the three-day-long celebration of the best sips around will have you frothing for more as the festival brings together some of Australia’s best craft brews and brewers. The Craft Beer and Cider Festival will showcase over 100 craft beers and ciders, and if beer isn’t your thing, you can wet your whistle with rose, wine, cocktails and a luxurious bubbles bar. Once you’ve got your beer belly in full swing, soak up the drinks with a feast from the ten mouthwatering food trucks and chill out to the tunes of homegrown talent, including the Hanlon Brothers, Matty Rogers and Dan Horne. The brews will be flowing and the vibes high, so secure your place with the first pour of tickets here.
When: Friday 28 May to Sunday 30 May
Where: NightQuarter, Birtinya
Cost: $29.10 per night, under 18’s: $12.25
Collectorama Fair
Who doesn’t love a cheeky bargain? For all our thrifty penny pinchers out there, you need to head to the Collectorama Fair to score a sweet deal on fashion, accessories, knick-knacks and treasures you didn’t even know you needed. Going 30 years strong and boasting over 150 stalls, there’s a reason this vintage gala fair is so popular with locals looking to snag a bargain. Grab your shopping bags, head to the gorgeous Nambour Showgrounds and settle in for a day of shopping ‘til you drop—great deals guaranteed.
When: Saturday 29 May, 7am to 2pm
Where: Showgrounds Road, Nambour
Cost: Adults: $6.00, Under 12’s: Free
Big Pineapple Music Festival
This Is It. The start of large scale live music festivals is here and we are loving it. The Big Pineapple Music Festival really needs no explanation, except if you haven’t got tickets, what are you waiting for? The popping lineup features big names Peking Duck, Alison Wonderland, The Amity Affliction and Dune Rats and many up-and-coming artists who will rock your world. Arts stalls, market stalls, art activations and a huge array of bars will keep you entertained when you’re not jamming to the epic tunes. Celebrate the return of festivals, round up your squad and grab your tickets for this awesome festival.
When: Saturday 22 May
Where: Pineapple Fields, Nambour Connection Road, Woombye
Cost: Final release tickets: $142
Under The Southern Stars Concert Tour
We’ve all been craving a good bit of rock’n’roll and our prayers have certainly been answered. Rock legends, Cheap Trick, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots and Electric Mary are set to rock the Sunshine Coast at the Under The Southern Stars concert tour this month and we are hyped. Bonus: this is the live first onstage international tour globally since COVID-19, so yeah, it’s going to be pretty big. This is certainly going to be a historic tour with some epic bands gracing the stage, so we reckon it’s time you get your hands on tickets and get ready to rock’n’roll.
When: Friday May 14 to Saturday May 15, 2pm onwards
Where: Kings Beach Amphitheatre, Edmund Street, Caloundra
Cost: $139
Mexican Fiesta
It’s time for a fiesta, amigos. Dust off that sombrero stuffed at the back of your cupboard and head to Nightquarter for a night of Mexican eats, live music, a mariachi band and, of course, margaritas and tequila galore. At the Mexican Fiesta, the iconic Las Fridas will grace the stage first and the sensational and humorous troupe will be bringing colourful swirling skirts and vibrant music to kick off your night. Keep the little ones busy with an adventure to Wonder Amusements—the vintage carnival is choc-a-block with dodgem cars, teacup rides and a jumping castle. Spice things up (literally) and grab your tickets for an awesome night of dancing, good vibes and great tunes.
When: Friday 14 May, 4pm to 10pm
Where: NightQuarter, Birtinya
Cost: Adults: $5.00, teens: $4.00, children: $2.00
Holistic Wellness Festival
This empowering, transformative event is all about celebrating wellness and healing and if there’s one thing we need after the year that was 2020, this is it. The Conscious Life Holistic Wellness Festival is all about rejuvenating your juju, raising your consciousness and tapping into your own inner power. You’ll be inspired by change makers and thought leaders, heal your body with nourishing food and be inspired by workshops, live music, market stalls, meditations and massages. This special festival showcases the latest in holistic wellbeing and we promise you’ll leave feeling refreshed and transformed. Wellness is a hot topic at the moment and we all know wellness begins from the inside out, so you know we’ll be pencilling this one in the calendar.
When: Saturday 15 May & Sunday 16 May, 9:30am to 4:30pm
Where: Venue 114, Sportsman’s Parade, Bokarina
Cost: Weekend pass: $15, one-day pass: $10, children: free
Indigenous Arts Tour
Immerse yourself in First Nations art and culture in this unique Indigenous art tour, led by First Nations creatives and cultural leaders. You will learn about local histories through storytelling and be amazed by the guided exhibition tour of First Nations exhibitions and public art across Sunshine Coast and Noosa. Celebrate the unique culture with a traditional lunch showcasing native ingredients and be inspired by the incredible artwork by First Nations creatives.
When: Saturday 15 May, 9:30am to 2:30pm
Where: Maroochy Arts and Ecology Centre, 33 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha
Cost: $55.00
Maleny Lane Night Market with Renegade Funk
We sure love Maleny Lane Night Market and when they team up with the iconic Renegade Funk, we’re sold. There’s nothing quite like listening to melodious beats, chatting your squad and just laxxing out on a Friday night. The tunes of Renegade Funk will have you grooving all night long while you snack on delicious world street food. Text the group chat, grab your pals and book your tickets for tables of four or six, pronto.
When: Friday 14 May, 6pm to 9:3pm
Where: Maleny Lane Night Market, Maleny
Cost: Table of 4: $44.90, table of 6: $66.30
Now that you’ve worked up a sweat with all these festivals and concerts you’re busy attending, it’s time you slow it down. The iconic Gretta Burger is opening up on the Sunshine Coast this May, so head down there and wrap your hands around one of their mean burgers.
Image credit: Amy Higg for Urban List