Festivals
It's official – the Gold Coast is a star performer on the national cultural arena.
The city has a calendar of major arts and cultural events which appeals to a variety of interests from food and wine to music, literature, sculpture and film festivals, and nostalgic celebrations of the 50s and 60s.
Use Council's Event Calendar to check the latest event, contact and date information.
For information on funding available for festival organisers, check out Funding Central.
The following is just a taste of what's on offer!
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
| May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
| Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
January
Big Day Out - www.bigdayout.com
Australia's largest touring contemporary music festival with over 40 bands playing for fans on a series of stages positioned around the festival area. The Big Day Out attracts more than 40,000 people for this full one-day line-up of music.
Gold Coast Australia Day Celebrations - www.australiaday.org.au
An annual event highlighting Australia's heritage, identity and cultural diversity. The event is the Gold Coast's biggest FREE one-day event including food, wine and entertainment from around the world at the All Nations Precinct, a rodeo, woodchop championships and a Bush Track featuring traditional trades such as whip-making, sheep-sheering, blacksmith, wheelwright and damper making. The Gold Coast Australia Day Awards are also presented.
Summafieldayze - www.futureentertainment.com.au
Australia's premier electronic music festival comes to the Gold Coast each January.
March
Somerset Celebration of Literature - www.somerset.qld.edu.au/cofl
Take to the books during this five-day annual writers festival which brings together writers, publishers and readers of all ages. The annual event features a bookstore, panel discussions, meet the author sessions, literary dinner and a children's concert. While encouraging reading, the festival also aims to bring new and established writers together to help promote writing in Australia.
Quiksilver ProShow - www.theproshow.com.au
Held in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro, the first contest on surfing's ASP Men's World Tour, this concert features major headlining acts from around Australia rubbing shoulders with the world's best surfers.
V-Festival - www.vfestival.com.au
The Gold Coast is the Queensland venue for this national touring music festival.
May
Blues on Broadbeach - www.bluesonbroadbeach.com
Blues on Broadbeach is a five-day festival with nothin' but the blues. This annual festival is made up of nightly live concerts all centered around Broadbeach including the Legendary Blues Concert, Up Close and Personal performances, Kurrawa Park Concert, Groove'n'Blues Concert, 'blues' street party and a local concert.
June
Wintersun Festival - www.wintersun.org.au
The Wintersun Festival is Australia's largest annual Nostalgia Festival. The Festival features the music, cars, dance and lifestyle of the 1950s and 60s.
A La Carte in the Park - www.rcqevents.org.au
Restaurant and Catering Queensland presents this wine, food and music festival that showcases the multi-cultural cuisine and local produce that is available on the Gold Coast at Mitchell Park, Southport, overlooking the beautiful Broadwater.
July
NAIDOC Week - 
NAIDOC Program 2009 (PDF 102kb)
National Aboriginal Islander Day Observation Committee (NAIDOC) celebrates the survival of Indigenous culture and the Indigenous contribution to modern Australia. All Australians are encouraged to participate in NAIDOC Week activities.
August
A La Carte on the Beach - www.rcqevents.org.au
Restaurant & Catering Queensland presents this wine, food and music festival on the beach at Coolangatta to showcase the multi-cultural cuisine and local produce that is available on the Gold Coast.
September
In the Bin Short Film Festival - www.inthebin.net.au
In The Bin is recognised nationally as one of Australia's most prestigious short film festivals. It is also Australia's widest spread cultural festival, last year taking in over 40 communities. In The Bin Currumbin Festival is the launch pad of its tour, showcasing the talents of Australia's best creators of short films.
Swell Currumbin Sculpture Festival - www.swellsculpture.com.au
An outdoor sculpture exhibition, along the picturesque Currumbin foreshore, which showcases more than 50 national and international leading artists.
October
Gold Coast Film Fantastic - www.filmfantastic.com
The Gold Coast Film Fantastic showcases something for everyone, from horror to sci-fi, animation to film noir. Screenings include rare international art house releases, pre-release mainstream block-busters and animation favourites for the kids.
November
Wonderland Festival - www.wonderlandfestival.net/aboutus.html
An annual art and music festival held in the grounds of the Bird Gardens in the Currumbin Valley.
