Find Your Perspective
There's a rumour that we're not a very "artsy" place. Good thing it's just a rumour. Galleries, theatre groups, nostalgia museums, sculpture festivals and indigenous performances just brush the surface of a cultural canvas that goes far deeper. As they say - art is purely a matter of perspective after all. Looking for more inspiration? Check out the cultural highlights of the Gold Coast hinterland.
arts & culture
- Free Event
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07 Jun 2025
HOTA Hawker Night Market
Get ready to treat all five senses at the HOTA Hawker Night Markets on Saturday 7th of June for a celebration of food, culture, and entertainment. The Gold Coast is set to come alive with colour, culture and cuisine as the HOTA Hawker Night Markets return for an open-air celebration inspired by the bustling hawker centres of Southeast Asia. With over 150 gourmet and artisan stalls, this is a street feast for your senses you don't want to miss – bursting with international flavours, handmade treasures, and that buzzing market energy we all love. Lay out your picnic rug on the lawn and kick back with your haul of delicious eats and gourmet goodies. Soak up live local tunes and those dreamy Surfers Paradise skyline views across Evandale Lake. What's on the menu: Flavours from across the globe 150+ gourmet food and artisanal stalls Live local bands and performers Fire twirlers & roving entertainment Gorgeous views over Evandale Lake and the Surfers Paradise skyline Free entry HOTA is a hot destination, and parking will be limited due to several popular events around the precinct! They recommend you scoot, bus, walk, ride, skip, unicycle, rideshare, Hopo or carpool to make the most of the evening!
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12 Jun 2025
Marrow
MarrowA choreographic course correction for a nation searching for a new direction. Set on a shared ground where politics and identity are not our totality, Marrow is a muscular dance work that sees Australian Dance Theatre’s incredible ensemble tangle with layers of smoke and light to disassemble our dominant cultural narratives and reveal the truth of our past. Created by Daniel Riley in collaboration with ADT’s Company Artists, senior Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner AM, composer James Howard (SAVAGE), Matthew Adey (THE HUM) and Ailsa Patterson (Tracker), Marrow sees the company delve deeper into the falsehoods and alienation at the core of our shared history. Bracingly honest, Marrow is a clear-eyed and powerful work that sifts through the smoky forms of our national conscience to imagine a new future that acknowledges the push of our present moment.
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13 Jun 2025 - 14 Jun 2025
Scenic Rim Farming Expo
The 3rd annual Scenic Rim Farming Expo is for backyard gardeners to big-acre farmers, this two-day expo, proudly hosted by the Rotary and Lions Service Clubs of Harrisville, celebrates Scenic Rim's rich agricultural heritage, thriving rural industries, and natural beauty. With over 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest in farming, sustainability, and rural living, it's a must-attend event for anyone passionate about agriculture and the future of farming in the region. Friday 13 June – Farming Field Day Friday is all about innovation, education, and networking for farmers, industry professionals and students. It's an opportunity to connect with experts, explore new advancements, discover career development opportunities, and take part in hands-on demonstrations designed to support and grow operations. Saturday 14 June – Lifestyle & Hobby Farm Expo Saturday welcomes families, hobby farmers, and rural lifestyle enthusiasts with additional demonstrations, workshops, and offerings. Whether you're tending a backyard veggie patch or managing a larger property, there's something for everyone.
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21 Jun 2025 - 18 Oct 2025
Gold Coast Vegan Markets
Enjoy a great day out by the beach and playground at Broadwater Parklands with your favourite vegan eats, drinkies, shopping and charities. All your favourite vegan eats, shopping and charities. Dog friendly (on lead) Car Parking at Broadwater Parklands Peninsula Playground Parking or on Street. G:link @gclightrail @hopogc Free entry Easy public transport with buses and trams nearby Onsite car parking: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/.../Broadwater-Carpark Kid friendly playgrounds Coordinators and authorised representatives reserve the right to ask patrons to leave the event in instances where their behaviour may cause harm and/or disruption. Soliciting information and promoting/selling products must be approved by coordinators.
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03 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025
The Doyles Art Award
An annual not-for-profit art award and exhibition held in the beautiful historic village of Mudgeeraba. Artists compete for cash prizes with the winner taking home $20,000. Focusing on representational art, The Doyles Award exhibits over 300 artworks entered by local and national artists. Categories include Landscape, Still Life, Figurative, Juniors and All Abilities. Start your art collection, or add to an existing one! All adult artwork is available for purchase. Entry is absolutely free. Come along and enjoy a few hours discovering the inspirational talent on display. Follow on socials or visit the website to see what activities, workshops and events are happening during The Doyles.
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20 Jul 2025
Gold Coast Wedding Expo
The Gold Coast Wedding Expo is a prominent tradeshow dedicated to the wedding and bridal industry. This bi-annual event is held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gold Coast, Australia, and attracts a diverse audience interested in fashion, beauty, and wedding apparel. Organized by Your Local Wedding ... Read More Guide, the expo offers a comprehensive platform for exhibitors and attendees to connect and explore the latest trends and offerings in the wedding market.This event caters to a wide audience reach across Australia, making it an essential stop for anyone involved in wedding planning, from brides and grooms to industry professionals. Attendees can expect to find a variety of exhibitors showcasing products and services that range from wedding attire to beauty services, ensuring that every aspect of the wedding planning process is covered. The Gold Coast Wedding Expo is a must-visit for those looking to make their special day perfect. HighlightsPopular among visitors forTop 100 in Apparel & Clothing in Australia
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02 Aug 2025 - 03 Aug 2025
Botanical Bazaar 2025
The Botanical Bazaar is the Gold Coast's premier Gardening and Sustainability Festival. It is an interactive Gardening and Sustainable living event aimed to educate and inspire all nature enthusiasts. The event is a perfect blend of learning, shopping, and entertainment, all focused around gardening and sustainable living. Educating and inspiring nature enthusiasts of all ages. See around 90 green exhibitors and local artisans plus celebrity gardener’s talks, demonstrations, botanical art, community groups and kids nature activities. Hear from industry experts on three speaker stages, including beloved ABC Gardening Australia personalities such as Sophie Thomson and Costa Georgiadis. Check out the website for the 2024 line-up. Their insights are truly inspiring, packed with innovative ideas and practical tips. Learn how to grow your own food, urban and small space gardening, and sustainable living concepts. The on-site community gardens are a highlight, with guided tours by celebrity gardeners showcasing sustainable gardening practices. But don't just listen and learn; get hands-on with 30 engaging workshops. The atmosphere was alive with local, live music under The Musical Tree and The Patch, creating a magical backdrop to the festivities. The Kid’s Hub was buzzing with nature play activities and yoga sessions, and the new School Garden Competition is a hit! A relaxing weekend at the Parklands with live music with delicious food, kids hub, market stalls and more.
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31 Aug 2025
Gold Coast's Annual Wedding Expo 2025 - Gold Coast Turf Club
The Gold Coast Annual Wedding Expo is a well-established and popular event in the heart of the Gold Coast region, hosted at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Featuring over 100 of the finest wedding and bridal suppliers from the Gold Coast and beyond, this expo brings together the best in wedding inspiration. With a vibrant, local atmosphere, the Gold Coast Bridal Expo is full of colour, creativity, and live entertainment—an unmissable event for couples. Enjoy free entry and parking, plus receive the exclusive ‘I’M GETTING MARRIED’ Bridal Bag. The hand-selected vendors include florists, bridal gowns, photographers, wedding cars, cake designers, videographers, reception venues, and more.
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13 Sep 2025 - 09 Nov 2025
ENERGIES 25
ENERGIES 25Nurturing artistic talent for nearly 40 years, ENERGIES is a renowned exhibition showcasing the exceptional work of senior secondary visual art students on the Gold Coast. This well-loved platform provides a professional gallery setting for these rising stars to unveil their creativity. More than just an exhibition, ENERGIES champions artistic excellence, recognizes best practices in arts education, and empowers students to pursue careers in the arts. ENERGIES fosters a thriving artistic lineage. Esteemed alumni like Michael Candy, Abbey McCulloch, Rebecca Ross, and Michael Zavros are a testament to the exhibition’s success. Continuing this tradition of excellence, ENERGIES is a collaborative effort between Gold Coast Visual Arts educators, students and HOTA Gallery. Mark your calendars! The next ENERGIES exhibition will take centre stage at the HOTA Gallery from 13 Sept. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to witness the brilliance of the Gold Coast's next generation of artists! Save the date! Submissions open Monday 16 Jun 2025Submissions close Friday 8 Aug 2025
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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.