Planning a holiday and searching for what’s on the Gold Coast, Australia, in 2026? If you’re staying at Currumbin Sands in Palm Beach, you’re in a great spot. The beach and parklands are close, family favourites are nearby, and the big festivals, markets, and shows are still within a manageable drive.
This guide keeps it simple with local favourites and the 2026 dates worth circling now. Always check the official event pages closer to your travel dates, as programs can change.
Things to Do at the Gold Coast: Top Picks
If you only do a handful of experiences, make it these. They mix easy local wins with standout 2026 events.
- Palm Beach Parklands PiratePark + creekside picnic (walkable): A pirate-themed playground and parklands right by Currumbin Creek.
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (quick trip): A classic for animal lovers and families, and it’s close to Palm Beach.
- Currumbin Community Markets (weekday local feel): Thursday mornings are perfect for stocking the apartment with fresh treats.
- Miami Marketta (easy night out): Street food, free entry, and live music most nights it’s open.
- Blues on Broadbeach (14 to 17 May 2026): Big festival energy across Broadbeach venues and outdoor stages.
- Cooly Rocks On (3 to 7 June 2026): A retro festival in Coolangatta with motors, music, and plenty of people-watching.
- SWELL Sculpture Festival (11 to 20 September 2026): A beautiful, beachside outdoor gallery on Currumbin Beach.
What’s On Gold Coast in 2026
Gold Coast 2026 has a packed calendar, and Palm Beach keeps you close to it all. Pick an event day, enjoy the buzz, then head back to a calmer pocket of the coast at the end of the night.
Events Gold Coast: 2026 highlights
Here are the big dates worth planning around, all within an easy reach of Palm Beach in typical traffic:
- Here Comes The Sun(Saturday 2 May 2026): A music festivalis set for Coolangatta’s Queen Elizabeth Park.
- Blues on Broadbeach (Thursday 14 May to Sunday 17 May 2026): A huge blues festival with multiple stages and a strong holiday vibe.
- Cooly Rocks On (Wednesday 3 June to Sunday 7 June 2026): Think classic cars, rock and roll, and a fun excuse to head down to Coolangatta.
- ASICS Gold Coast Marathon weekend (4 to 5 July 2026): The marathon weekend is locked in for early July, and it brings a great buzz to the city.
- SWELL Sculpture Festival (11 to 20 September 2026): One of the best “walk the beach and see something new” events of the year.
- BLEACH Arts Festival(1 to 11 October 2026): A whole-of-city arts festival, with events and performances across the Gold Coast.
Beach and Nature
For a best-value day, start early while the air is cooler, then take the afternoon slowly. Begin at Palm Beach with a simple walk on the sand.
Add a calm-water stop at Currumbin Creek or Currumbin Alley for an easy swim and that laid-back southern Gold Coast vibe. Tallebudgera Creek is another strong option for a paddle, picnic, or a longer dip on warmer days.
If you want a walk with bigger views, head to Burleigh Head National Park in the morning. The coastal track is exposed in parts, so take water, wear a hat, and plan for a few pauses at the lookouts.
Surf Competitions Gold Coast
If you love the ocean, watch for surf competitions that Gold Coast locals rave about. When a big one hits Burleigh, the headland becomes the best seat in the house. No contest on? Early-morning surf is still worth a stop, then grab breakfast at a nearby café.
Gold Coast Markets and Food
Markets are one of the easiest ways to get a local feel fast. They also make holiday mornings simple. Grab breakfast, pick up fruit, and take it back to your balcony.
Currumbin markets
If you want a true local weekday market, try the Currumbin Community Markets, held every Thursday morning from 7 am to 11 am.
It’s great for fresh produce and a relaxed browse, and it suits guests who prefer quieter outings.
For weekend market lovers, you have options close by:
- Palm Beach Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday from 6:00 am to 11:30 am.
- Burleigh Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 7:00 am to 12 noon.
And for a classic holiday evening outing, the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets are a free, beachside market held every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 9 pm.
This mix gives you the best of Gold Coast markets, whether you want a sunrise coffee run or a sunset browse.
Food festivals Gold Coast
If your holiday revolves around eating well, keep space in your plan for food festivals, Gold Coast-style events. Some weekends lean into tasting plates, pop-up stalls, and “try a bit of everything” food culture, especially around the busier precincts like Broadbeach, Burleigh, and Surfers.
The best tip is to pick one food-focused night out, arrive early, and graze slowly. You’ll avoid queues and find your favourite stall before it sells out.
Show Gold Coast: Entertainment picks
Not every day needs to be outdoors. When the weather is hot, stormy, or you just want a change of pace, build in a culture or entertainment night.
HOTA, Home of the Arts, is a reliable option for gallery time, cinema sessions, and ticketed performances. Their What’s on calendar covers live shows and exhibitions year-round.
If you’re visiting in October, BLEACH* Arts Festival runs from 1 to 11 October 2026 and brings a city-wide program of arts and culture.
Gold Coast entertainment and live nights
For easy Gold Coast entertainment close to Palm Beach, Miami Marketta is a standout. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday from 5 pm, with free entry, street food, and live music built into the night.
This is the kind of entertainment Gold Coast visitors love because it feels casual. You can show up hungry, wander, and stay as long as the vibe suits. If you are specifically hunting live shows, Gold Coast-style experiences, check HOTA’s program for touring acts and seasonal performances.
Family Activities Gold Coast
With kids, keep plans easy and build in breaks. Start with Palm Beach Parklands for the pirate playground, shade, and a simple picnic by the water. Then choose one main outing, with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary a top pick because it’s close and suits a wide age range.
In summer, go early, then head back for pool time or a rest, and pack water, sunscreen, hats, swimmers, a light rain cover, and insect repellent for creek evenings.
Things to Do in the Gold Coast This Weekend
If you’re making plans right now and wondering what to do first, here are two simple mini itineraries you can follow.
Mini itinerary: One perfect summer day near Currumbin
- Early beach walk at Palm Beach, then breakfast nearby.
- Creek time at Currumbin Alley or Tallebudgera Creek for a calm swim.
- Market stop (Thursday: Currumbin Community Markets, Saturday: Palm Beach Farmers’ Market).
- Afternoon reset back at the resort, pool time and a balcony break.
- Sunset stroll along the sand to finish the day.
Mini itinerary: A cooler evening plan
- Late afternoon culture stop at HOTA (gallery or cinema).
- Dinner at Miami Marketta, arrive from 5 pm so you can choose your food without rushing.
- If you still have energy, finish with an evening browse at the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets (4 pm to 9 pm on market nights).
Plan Your Gold Coast Days With Ease
The best thing to do on the Gold Coast in 2026 is to balance one or two big event days with plenty of easy local favourites, then come home to a comfortable base at Currumbin Sands in Palm Beach.
Lock in a key weekend, then keep the rest of your trip relaxed with beach time out front, creek swims nearby, market mornings for apartment-friendly treats, and an easy night out for music or culture.
Staying at Currumbin Sands keeps everything close enough to stay stress-free. Check official event pages for updates, then plan around the weather, crowd levels, and the pace that suits you.
Image Credit: ASICS Gold Coast Marathon