Can't wait for the holidays in Gold Coast? Check out our guide for all the festive happenings! Whether you're a Gold Coast native or a holiday pilgrim, this guide illuminates the city's festive charm.
Enjoy a spectacular night of music and festive cheer at the Mayor's Christmas Carols, a highlight of the season. Relish the delightful aromas and unique gifts at the Christmas Markets, filled with holiday spirit. And the White Christmas at Warner Bros. Movie World is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a magical winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Gold Coast
- Mayor's Christmas Carols
- Christmas Markets (Broadbeach)
- White Christmas at Warner Bros. Movie World (Oxenford)
- Gold Coast Christmas Carnival (Southport)
- The Spirit of Christmas
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Christmas Events (Currumbin)
- Christmas Boat Parade (Broadwater)
- Pacific Fair Santa's Arrival Parade (Broadbeach Waters)
- Robina Town Centre Christmas Events (Robina)
- Broadbeach Christmas Carols (Broadbeach)
See these and even more events listed below!
Gold Coast Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Floating parade of illuminated boats on the Broadwater
Description:
The Broadwater Christmas Boat Parade illuminates Gold Coast's waterways with a procession of dazzling vessels. This aquatic spectacle features boats adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a floating light show. Spectators can watch from shore as elaborately decorated yachts, sailboats, and even jet skis glide by. The parade, which began as a small community event in the 1990s, now attracts boating enthusiasts from across Australia. You'll marvel at the creativity of boat owners as they compete for the best-decorated vessel title in this uniquely coastal Christmas celebration.
Where: Broadwater | More Info: Christmas Boat Parade
Gold Coast Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Markets
What to Expect:
Beachside market with local artisans and tropical-themed gifts
Description:
Broadbeach transforms into a bustling holiday bazaar with its unique beachside Christmas Markets. Local artisans display their craftsmanship, offering tropical-themed gifts that capture the essence of Gold Coast's summer Christmas. The aroma of sizzling barbecues fills the air, tempting visitors with authentic Australian flavors. Explore stalls selling handmade surfboard ornaments, a quirky twist on traditional decorations. The markets pay homage to the area's indigenous heritage by featuring Aboriginal art and crafts, providing a cultural dimension to your shopping experience.
Where: Broadbeach | More Info: Christmas Markets
Australia Fair's Christmas Festivities
What to Expect:
Christmas celebrations highlighting Australian native flora
Description:
Australia Fair's Christmas Festivities showcase the beauty of native Australian plants in holiday decor. The shopping center transforms into a botanical wonderland, featuring Christmas trees adorned with bottlebrush and wattle instead of traditional pine. Visitors can participate in workshops on creating eco-friendly decorations using native flora. This unique approach to holiday decorating began as a way to promote local biodiversity in the 1990s. The event also features a native plant market, allowing you to bring a piece of Australian Christmas home while supporting local horticulturists.
Where: Southport | More Info: Australia Fair's Christmas Festivities
Gold Coast Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Mayor's Christmas Carols
What to Expect:
Community-led caroling with local choirs and performers
Description:
The Gold Coast's Mayor's Christmas Carols unites the community in a harmonious celebration. Local choirs and performers take center stage, showcasing the region's musical talent. You can join in singing traditional Australian carols, a practice that dates back to the 19th century. The event illuminates the night with thousands of glowing candles, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. As a nod to Gold Coast's coastal culture, the carols often incorporate beach-themed elements, setting it apart from typical holiday concerts.
Where: Gold Coast | More Info: Mayor's Christmas Carols
The Spirit of Christmas
What to Expect:
Multicultural Christmas celebrations showcasing diverse traditions
Description:
The Spirit of Christmas in Gold Coast embraces the city's cultural diversity, showcasing holiday traditions from around the world. This unique event features performances and displays representing various ethnic communities, from Filipino parols to German stollen. Visitors can participate in a global gift-wrapping workshop, learning techniques from different cultures. The celebration honors Gold Coast's history as a melting pot of cultures since the 1950s tourism boom. Savor the flavors of international Christmas dishes, offering a culinary journey through holiday traditions across continents.
Where: Gold Coast | More Info: The Spirit of Christmas
Pacific Fair Santa's Arrival Parade
What to Expect:
Santa's arrival by surfboard instead of sleigh
Description:
Pacific Fair's Santa's Arrival Parade reimagines the classic entrance with a Gold Coast twist. Instead of a sleigh, Santa rides the waves on a surfboard, accompanied by surfing elves. This unconventional parade captures the essence of Australia's beach culture, blending holiday traditions with local lifestyle. Spectators line the streets to catch a glimpse of Santa's tropical journey, a tradition that started in the 1980s. The parade features street performers showcasing Gold Coast's vibrant arts scene, adding a local flair to the holiday festivities.
Where: Broadbeach Waters | More Info: Pacific Fair Santa's Arrival Parade
Broadbeach Christmas Carols
What to Expect:
Beachfront caroling with sand sculpture nativity scene
Description:
Broadbeach Christmas Carols bring holiday melodies to the shoreline, creating a unique Australian beach Christmas atmosphere. A massive sand sculpture nativity scene serves as the backdrop for this oceanside event, blending traditional imagery with coastal elements. Carolers perform barefoot on the sand, embodying the laid-back Gold Coast spirit. The event pays homage to the area's surfing heritage by incorporating beach-themed carols, a tradition that began in the 1960s. You can join in singing while feeling the sea breeze, creating a distinctly Australian Christmas experience.
Where: Broadbeach | More Info: Broadbeach Christmas Carols
Gold Coast Other Holiday Activities
White Christmas at Warner Bros. Movie World
What to Expect:
Movie-themed winter wonderland in a tropical climate
Description:
Warner Bros. Movie World defies the Australian summer heat by creating a snow-covered spectacle. This cinematic winter wonderland brings iconic movie characters to life amidst a flurry of artificial snow. Visitors can build snowmen under the warm Queensland sun, a surreal experience unique to this event. The park's transformation draws inspiration from classic Hollywood winter scenes, contrasting sharply with Gold Coast's typically sunny Christmas season. Immerse yourself in this celluloid-inspired frosty paradise, where movie magic meets holiday cheer in an unexpected tropical setting.
Where: Oxenford | More Info: White Christmas at Warner Bros. Movie World
Gold Coast Christmas Carnival
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional carnival and Christmas elements
Description:
Southport's Gold Coast Christmas Carnival injects a dose of thrill into the holiday season. This event uniquely blends traditional carnival rides with Christmas themes, creating an exhilarating holiday experience. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy a Santa-themed roller coaster, merging yuletide spirit with heart-pounding excitement. The carnival pays tribute to Gold Coast's surfing culture with a Christmas surf competition, a tradition that began in the 1960s. Indulge in Australian Christmas pudding while watching skilled performers juggle candy canes in this unconventional holiday celebration.
Where: Southport | More Info: Gold Coast Christmas Carnival
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Christmas celebration focused on Australian wildlife conservation
Description:
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's Christmas Events spotlight Australia's unique fauna in a holiday context. This conservation-focused celebration allows visitors to hand-feed kangaroos wearing festive bows. The sanctuary's commitment to wildlife preservation, dating back to its founding in 1947, shines through its educational Christmas programs. Witness a special "Aussie Santa" show featuring native animals, promoting awareness of endangered species. The event's decorations are crafted from sustainable materials, reflecting the sanctuary's eco-friendly mission. Experience the joy of contributing to wildlife conservation while partaking in holiday festivities.
Where: Currumbin | More Info: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Christmas Events
Robina Town Centre Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas-themed technology and virtual reality experiences
Description:
Robina Town Centre's Christmas Events propel holiday celebrations into the future with cutting-edge technology. Visitors can embark on virtual sleigh rides through a digital North Pole, merging traditional Christmas imagery with modern VR experiences. The center's commitment to innovation reflects Gold Coast's growing reputation as a tech hub since the early 2000s. Engage with interactive Christmas displays that respond to movement and touch, creating a highly immersive environment. The event also features a high-tech Santa photo booth, offering unique digital keepsakes of your holiday memories.
Where: Robina | More Info: Robina Town Centre Christmas Events
Burleigh Heads Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly Christmas celebration with focus on marine conservation
Description:
Burleigh Heads Christmas Celebration combines holiday cheer with environmental consciousness. This green-themed event features a Christmas tree made entirely of recycled ocean plastics, highlighting the community's commitment to marine conservation. Visitors can participate in a beach clean-up elf workshop, turning collected debris into holiday decorations. The celebration honors Burleigh Heads' long-standing surfing culture, which has been integral to the area since the 1950s. Enjoy sustainable seafood tastings while learning about ocean preservation, making this a truly unique and responsible holiday event.
Where: Burleigh Heads | More Info: Burleigh Heads Christmas Celebration
Bundall Christmas Party
What to Expect:
Art-centric Christmas celebration showcasing local artists
Description:
Bundall's Christmas Party transforms the suburb into an open-air gallery, celebrating the holiday season through art. Local artists display Christmas-themed installations throughout the streets, turning the neighborhood into a walkable exhibition. Visitors can participate in live painting sessions, creating their own holiday masterpieces. This artistic approach to Christmas festivities began in the early 2000s, aiming to support Gold Coast's growing arts community. The event features a silent auction of holiday-inspired artworks, with proceeds benefiting local art education programs.