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Calendar Celebrations Sorted
entertainment
- Free Event
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25 Sep 2025 - 28 Sep 2025
Space within Space
Space within SpaceWelcoming all astronauts to the calliope space station. Get ready to take a trip into space to learn about our solar system. While in orbit, you can create your own space art, design your own space shirt, learn to walk like an astronaut, to draw like an astronaut and even eat like an astronaut. beware, aliens may be lurking. Special events - Thu 25 Sept Alien Slime 10am-11.30am & 12pm-2pmGilmour Space talk 11am Special Activity - Fri 26 Sept Learn a new language with the alien alphabet Decoder 10am-2pm Recommended ages 3-12. Parents must accompany kids. Pram parking will be in the foyer.
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25 Sep 2025
Lego Battle | Out of this World
Lego Battle | Out of this WorldPrepare for lift-off into a galaxy of imagination and excitement!Join Andrew and Damien from Clicking Bricks for the most epic LEGO showdown ever staged. This isn’t just a battle, it’s a cosmic clash of creativity, where bold builders rise and bricks fly!Bring your friends, your family, and your sense of adventure for an unforgettable evening packed with high-stakes LEGO building, Live Music and a special appearance by a fire twirler, lighting up the night with a dazzling display of flame and skill!
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25 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Explore The Night Sky
Explore The Night SkyCalling all young space explorers for a fun and fascinating night under the stars. Set in the HOTA Precinct this special event is designed just for kids and families. Discover the wonders of the Southern night sky - from twinkling constellations and bright planets to sparkling star clusters and even distant galaxies! With real telescopes, binoculars, and your own eyes, you'll explore the universe like a true astronomer and learn things like why Saturn has rings, where to find the Southern Cross and what a shooting star really is. Whether you're dreaming of becoming an astronomer, astronaut or just love looking up at the stars, this is a magical night your whole family will remember. Ages: Suitable for kids 7+ and their grown-ups What to bring: Enclosed shoes, warm clothes, and your curiosity Bonus: Telescopes, binoculars, and space fun provided!
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25 Sep 2025 - 27 Sep 2025
Galaxy Salon
Galaxy SalonHere at the galaxy salon, we specialise in out of this world makeup & hair styles enter a human, exit an extraterrestrialFree, non-ticketed. First in basis.
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26 Sep 2025 - 28 Sep 2025
Sky Tea at Palette
Sky Tea at PaletteJoin us for Sky Tea at Palette - high tea but much higher!Treats such as sweet and sour yuzu meringue tart, strawberry choux and pecan millionaires' shortbread. Savoury delights the cucumber sandwich but not as you know it, and the ham and cheese with wattle mustard. A curious selection of teas to accompany your sky tea.
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26 Sep 2025
Fridays on the Lawn - Kids Edition
Fridays on the Lawn - Kids EditionFri 26 Sept - Join the LOL Crew at Fridays on the Lawn! Kick back and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with the LOL crew at Fridays on the Lawn! Bring the whole family for live music, lawn games, dancing, and delicious food in a relaxed outdoor setting.It’s the perfect way to wind down after a big day at the festival or to gear up for an evening performance of INTO SPACE in the Theatre.Come early, stay late, and make the most of your festival experience!Fri 3 Oct - Don’t Miss Fridays on the Lawn with Sunny Coast Rude Boys!Wrap up the school holidays with an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and family fun! Join us on the lawn on Friday for a high-energy ska and reggae vibe from the Sunny Coast Rude Boys.Bring the whole family to enjoy live music, lawn games, dancing under the stars, and delicious food. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the end of the holidays - don’t miss it!
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26 Sep 2025
XR Creators
XR CreatorsThe XR Creators Program sees students exploring the cutting-edge technology of holographic and extended/virtual reality. Through hands-on projects and workshops, participants will learn about the different tools and techniques used in XR development, including ideation, wireframing and 3D modeling. They will also learn about user-centred design, storytelling, and how to create impactful XR experiences.The program challenges students to work in teams to design and develop an XR experience that addresses a specific need or problem in their local community. This could include creating a virtual tour of a historical site, a holographic game to educate on a social issue, or a virtual reality experience to help with mental health support. Through this program, students will not only gain a valuable understanding of future XR technologies but also learn how to use XR technology to make a meaningful impact on their community.
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27 Sep 2025
Kids Take Over | Into Space
Kids Take Over | Into SpaceInto Space is a classic hero’s journey. We follow Val, an astronaut and his crew on a high-stakes mission into deep space. Along the way, they face an asteroid field, separation from their team, encounters with alien life, and the terrifying possibility of never making it home. As the mission unfolds, Val and his mission squad must navigate not only the unknown universe but their own inner world. What truths will they uncover about connection, courage, and our place in the cosmos? Into Space is a high-energy, emotionally resonant experience, blending awe-inspiring physical performance with universal themes of adventure, resilience, and discovery. Fusing world-class acrobatics, aerials, juggling, and striking design, Into Space is where Interstellar, Star Wars, and Cirque du Soleil collide.Recommended ages 7+.
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27 Sep 2025
Comedy Underground | Dan Rath
Tropical DepressionI can’t focus. I don’t know if it’s microplastics, long covid or because I pay $500 a week to live in a mould experiment. This year I went to a rally dressed as Boba Fett and was bashed by both police and protestors. I formed a parasocial relationship with a doordash chatbot I lost all my crpyto trying to buy a mermaid skeleton "His mind works like no other” ★★★★★ – Chortle (UK) “Genius and insanity… a truly brilliant writer” ★★★★ – The Scotsman (UK) "Book yesterday” ★★★★ – The Age Winner – Best of the Fest – Sydney Comedy Festival 2025 Winner – Director’s Choice Award – Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025 Winner – Piece of Wood Award – Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2023 alist.com.au
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27 Sep 2025
Into Space by ARC Circus
Into Space by ARC CircusInto Space is a classic hero’s journey. We follow Val, an astronaut and his crew on a high-stakes mission into deep space. Along the way, they face an asteroid field, separation from their team, encounters with alien life, and the terrifying possibility of never making it home. As the mission unfolds, Val and his mission squad must navigate not only the unknown universe but their own inner world. What truths will they uncover about connection, courage, and our place in the cosmos? Into Space is a high-energy, emotionally resonant experience, blending awe-inspiring physical performance with universal themes of adventure, resilience, and discovery. Fusing world-class acrobatics, aerials, juggling, and striking design, Into Space is where Interstellar, Star Wars, and Cirque du Soleil collide.Recommended ages 7+.
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27 Sep 2025
Into the Unknown
Into the UnknownDiscover the Hidden Language of the Universe! Get ready for an electrifying journey beyond the limits of what we can see! Street Science’s brand-new stage show, ‘Into the Unknown’, is designed to ignite curiosity and thrill audiences while bringing to life the 2025 National Science Week theme: Decoding the Universe – Exploring the Unknown with Nature’s Hidden Language. This thought-provoking, high-energy production will unveil the unseen forces that shape our world through spectacular never-before-seen science demonstrations and mind-blowing experiments.
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From now until 28 Sep 2025 (Annual)
Kids Take Over | Mini Marketeers
Kids Take Over | Mini MarketeersHOTA’s Mini Marketeers is back!! Mini Marketeers provides a fantastic platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity and business skills. Running your own market stall can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to explore your passions and talents while learning valuable lessons about entrepreneurship. Register by 10 August. Limited spots available. Market date: Sun 28 Sept, 9am-12pm
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02 Oct 2025
Waltzing the Wilarra
Waltzing the Wilarra“...a highly evocative musical tale of love, jealousy, friendship and family. It is a beautiful, heartfelt production about love and loss.” Australian StageWritten and composed by David Milroy and directed by Brittanie Shipway.Produced by the producers of national tours of ‘The Sapphires’ and ‘The Sunshine Club’ comes a very special and entertaining night in the theatre.Performed by a stellar cast including Lorinda May Merrypor (Juliet in ‘& Juliet’), Shaka Cook (‘Hamilton’) and Lisa Maza (‘Stingers’) and backed by a live band.Against a backdrop of curfews, and the fear of arrest, white and black manage to form their own club where they can forget their worries and experience rare happy times, and with a little luck... romance. Forty years on, as the club faces demolition, our characters meet once again to stage a musical reunion and protest in an attempt to save their old stomping ground. Dark secrets and ghosts that have lingered for more than half a century are revealed, and we discover that reconciliation is more than saying sorry.
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02 Oct 2025 - 04 Oct 2025
Bin Chicken Universe
Bin Chicken UniverseThese school holidays, kids will have the opportunity to go on an immersive scavenger hunt around HOTA completing tasks to earn stamps and unlock mysteries. Find all the native Gold Coast animals hiding amongst the trash, fish out rubbish from the lake for clues, get crafty with clay and test your best bin knowledge to gain access to BIN CHICKEN UNIVERSE. A magical place made entirely out of cardboard. With special cardboard saws and screws kids can create houses, animal residents, clotheslines, toilets, you name it!Stay, create, play and enjoy the payoff of all your hard-earned stamps. Let’s make this universe the best it can be!Ages 3-11
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04 Oct 2025
Kids Take Over | Ballun Gawrehma
Kids Take Over | Ballun GawrehmaJoin local Kombumerri man Lann Levinge as he guides you through culturally significant sites, sharing local history passed down by elders. Begin your exploration at Wulabora, a dedicated space for sharing and gathering that celebrates Kombumerri heritage. On this exploration, stories will be shared about family stories, local history, Dreamtime tales and environmental wisdom. This sensory-rich experience includes hands-on interaction with authentic indigenous artefacts—such as clothing, weapons, and tools—alongside immersive soundscapes. As Lann expresses, "I’m passionate about discovering new ways to nurture and inspire a new generation of language and cultural warriors. My goal is to raise awareness and foster connections with indigenous culture, particularly the Kombumerri ways and the Yugambeh Language, through visual art, music, and dance."
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04 Oct 2025
Ballun Gawrehma
Ballun GawrehmaJoin local Kombumerri man Lann Levinge as he guides you through culturally significant sites, sharing local history passed down by elders. Begin your exploration at Wulabora, a dedicated space for sharing and gathering that celebrates Kombumerri heritage. On this exploration, stories will be shared about family stories, local history, Dreamtime tales and environmental wisdom. This sensory-rich experience includes hands-on interaction with authentic indigenous artefacts—such as clothing, weapons, and tools—alongside immersive soundscapes. As Lann expresses, "I’m passionate about discovering new ways to nurture and inspire a new generation of language and cultural warriors. My goal is to raise awareness and foster connections with indigenous culture, particularly the Kombumerri ways and the Yugambeh Language, through visual art, music, and dance."
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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.