Blues on Broadbeach
Transforming the Gold Coast each May into a rhythm and blues mecca, Blues on Broadbeach has become an integral part of the Gold Coast’s cultural identity.
Held across four jam-packed days, the festival features an electrifying non-ticketed lineup each year with over 65 international and homegrown artists in 2024. From intimate solo shows to large outdoor stages by the beachside, this is a rhythm and blues festival experience like no other.
For those looking to dive deeper into the festival, the Twelve Bar Society offers a VIP membership with exclusive sessions and experiences that take the festival to the next level. Plus, for the first time in 2024, Blues on Broadbeach was proud to present the Kurrawa Park Sunday Ticket, which introduced a special ticketed lineup to the festival.
Returning to Broadbeach for the 24th year from 15-18 May 2025, experience live rhythm and blues like never before at Blues on Broadbeach!
FIND OUT MORECooly Rocks On
Come celebrate the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear at Cooly Rocks On!
As one of Australia’s largest nostalgia festivals, Cooly Rocks On is held in the beautiful beachside suburb of Coolangatta. Featuring one of the best Show ‘N’ Shine displays in the country, the award-winning festival showcases an impressive collection of hot rods, kustom vehicles, lowbrow art and more, with more than 900 vehicles lining the streets of Coolangatta.
As for the music, some of the best rock ‘n’ roll, swing, rockabilly and tribute artists from around the world will take to the stage throughout the festival. Cooly Rocks On is also one of two festivals held in Australia to host an official preliminary round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, with the winner heading straight to Elvis Week in Memphis, USA.
The annual Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is another festival favourite and for those in need of some retro goods and memorabilia, make sure to check out the Nostalgia Markets on the Coolangatta beachfront.
With many free and ticketed entertainment options across the action-packed five-day festival, we’ll be turning back the clock again from 4-8 June, 2025!
FIND OUT MOREBig City Lights
Big City Lights* is a festival of urban design, digital culture, music and light taking place in the heart of Southport CBD. The event activates inner city spaces and transforms urban infrastructure, buildings, alleyways and facades into bright, colourful outdoor galleries.
Hundreds of artists feature in an engaging program of creative play with large-scale light projections, surround sound audio works, immersive experiences, digital design, film and live music.
Igniting curiosity, inspiration and wonder for those who attend, Big City Lights* invites an inner city adventure, where the audience can wander the streets, ponder the artworks and interact with installations. This contemporary cultural festival is a free, fun and family-friendly event that makes the arts an inclusive and accessible experience for locals and visitors to the Gold Coast.
FIND OUT MOREBLEACH*
Bleach* is the Gold Coast’s annual contemporary arts festival. The festival is proudly local, celebrating the city’s incredible landscape and using it as the backdrop to stage world-class cultural experiences created by some of Australia’s finest artists.
Presenting an 11-day program packed with an eclectic mix of events, performances and workshops, Bleach* brings Gold Coast culture to the people. Immersive experiences and unexpected performance spaces are a signature twist. The program encompasses all forms of expression including dance, theatre, music, visual arts, installations, plays, concerts, workshops, First Nations culture, storytelling, community celebrations and discussions.
An opportunity for everyone to discover cultural experiences connected to our place on Yugambeh Country, Bleach* shines a light on the incredible creativity and culture that thrives here.
FIND OUT MOREGroundwater Country Music Festival
Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) delivers three days of free live country music in the heart of the Gold Coast!
Featuring some of the best local and international country stars, Groundwater CMF sees stages scattered throughout the streets, parks and venues of Broadbeach, combining country music and city vibes.
Attracting country music lovers from around Australia, patrons can soak up the buzzing atmosphere and beautiful sunshine as they wander from stage to stage, discovering new acts, enjoying firm favourites and getting into the country spirit!
After a massive 10-year celebration in 2023, Groundwater CMF will be returning to Broadbeach this 18-20 October, 2024!
FIND OUT MORELearn More
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.