We all know that the Gold Coast is synonymous with fantastic surf and stunning beaches. It’s also blessed with fun theme parks, a buzzing nightlife and a world-class dining scene. Yep, we knew this too.
But, oh, it’s so much more than this.
In fact, the Gold Coast is seeing its fair share of events that are worth pencilling into your calendar this year. Here are just five to get you started…
1. Gold Coast Film Festival
Over 50 films will be screened across eight different locations in the Gold Coast this year for the 10-day Gold Coast Film Festival 2016 – a celebration of film and filmmaking in one of the country’s most popular shooting destinations.
This year, along with the annual short film competition (featuring 10 minute cinematic masterpieces by emerging filmmakers from around Australia), the film festival will include a host of special events including the Women in Film screenings, and a selection of entertaining and intelligent films and workshops for children and teens.
The film festival will be held from 31 March to 10 April.
2. Bleach* Festival
Connecting art with community, the Bleach* Festival is the Gold Coast’s signature multi-arts festival, shining the spotlight on the city’s home-grown eclectic mix of art and culture and providing a platform for expression for local and international talent.
The aim of the festival is to present the Gold Coast in a new way, to a new audience in order to drum up awareness for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and beyond.
The festival runs from 4 March to 20 March.
3. Surfers Paradise Live
The biggest music festival to grace Gold Coast’s sun-kissed shores, the Surfers Paradise Live music festival returns in May this year with another stellar line-up, including Thirsty Merc, The Choirboys and Anthony Callea.
Surfers Paradise Live is held over three days, showcasing some of the best music of multiple genres across multiple stages throughout Surfers – yep, you’ll be able to hear it from pretty much anywhere.
The festival is held from 6 to 8 May.
4. Step Up Surfers Paradise
Get your dancing shoes on, or leave it to the pros at the Step Up dance competition. Dance-lovers of all ages will battle it out on the floor in a range of genres, including Hip-hop, Breakdancing, Jazz and Latin.
Participants will compete for the title and major cash prize throughout the heats, semis and finals.
Step Up runs from 29 to 30 March (during the school holidays).
5. GLOW
Prepare yourself for an evening of sensory delight at the annual GLOW festival in the Gold Coast.
Guaranteed to illuminate your senses with a myriad of light-based installations and activities, GLOW features works by emerging artists in animation, audio, design, film, games, web and mobile.
The programme will also feature music by local bands, the popular glow in the dark yoga and tai-chi, a mobile gaming unit, extreme virtual reality and star gazing – as well as food stalls and live music.
GLOW is held on 30 April.
