27 August 2026
ELEGANTLY WASTED FEATURING THE SONGS OF INXS
Set to the reimagined iconic songs of INXS, Elegantly Wasted is a striking contemporary work that charts a compelling shift from artifice to awareness, from surface to soul. It invites us to question what we perform, what we conceal, and what we might rediscover if we dare to be seen without filters.
KIDS TAKE OVER FESTIVAL 2026
A world of imagination where things are wonderfully strange and delightfully unexpected. Kids Take Over is a vibrant program of performances, free daily activities, immersive installations, and hands-on workshops. With something new to discover every day, one visit is never enough… well, not for a true adventurer!
PALETTE X PIPIT
For one night only on 9 September, acclaimed chef Ben Devlin joins Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law to present a six-course menu showcasing the extraordinary ingredients sourced directly from the local growers, fishermen and artisans shaping the identity of this region.
The evening begins around Palette's custom-built fire pit, where guests will gather for an intimate discussion led by Dayan. Against the glow of open flame, Ben will share the experiences that have shaped his cooking, his deep connection to regional producers, and his belief that great cuisine starts long before an ingredient reaches the plate.
MOONCAKE MAKING AT HOTA GALLERY
18 Sept, 23 Sept & 24 Sept
Celebrate Mooncake Festival at HOTA! Workshop participants will visit This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art before heading to Level 5 for mooncake making with a view.
Bring your little ones to Little ArtLab – Mooncake Magic (ages 3 – 5) or check out our adult making workshops coming soon.
Spaces are strictly limited – book now to avoid disappointment!
ARTLAB – DECADENT DECOUPAGE
Let’s celebrate the opening of Minna Gilligan: True Colours with a decorative decoupage workshop.
Whether you love sports, animals, fashion or art, this workshop encourages you to express yourself through craft!
Recommended for ages 6-12.
HOTA TAKES FLIGHT WITH PACIFIC AIRSHOW GOLD COAST
HOTA’s Café Terrace took to the skies on Sunday 9 August, with EGC partnering with Pacific Airshow Gold Coast to deliver a fun, free and family-friendly activation ahead of the highly anticipated Airshow.
From 9-11am, families joined HOTA’s Visitor Experience team for a paper plane-making workshop, putting their newly crafted aircraft to the test in a series of fun competitions. Young aviation enthusiasts competed for prizes in the Longest Flight and Best Acrobatic Flight, with plenty of impressive twists, turns and unexpected landings along the way!
Adding to the excitement, the Pacific Airshow’s host Matt Jolley (USA) brought the Café Terrace to life, introducing 3 of the Airshow’s talented pilots:
- Emma McDonald (AUS)
- Jeff Boerboon (USA)
- Rod Flockhart (AUS)
Kids had the unique opportunity to meet the pilots, snap a photo and hear expert paper-plane flying tips directly from some of the world’s most accomplished aerobatic pilots.
The aviation-themed fun continued inside HOTA Cinema, with audiences enjoying a special Top Gun double feature, screening the original classic alongside Top Gun: Maverick - the perfect cinematic lead-in to the excitement of Pacific Airshow Gold Coast event 14-16 August.
DRAWING FOR LIFE WITH KINKY DRAWERS
Back by popular demand! After a highly successful first iteration, we invite you back for another provocative life drawing session set within This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art, featuring the cast from Kinky Drawers.
Four performers will model solo and coupled, orbiting XU ZHEN®s monumental sculpture, Play 201301. At once playful and unsettling, the leather-clad cathedral explores themes of power, ritual and desire, inviting reflection on culture, religion and identity.
This is an adults only program. All materials are provided, and all skill levels are welcome.
VIEW THE 13 AUGUST 2026 ARTS & CULTURE UPDATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.