With the Labour Day long weekend here and the Gold Coast showing off its dreamy autumn weather, there's no better time to get out and about. From epic festivals to vibrant markets and live music, there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the sunshine and make the most of the extra day off.
Whether you're chasing good vibes, good food, or a dancefloor, we've rounded up the best things happening this long weekend—you’re going to want to clear your schedule.
Jump to each section:
What's On Friday
What's On Saturday
What's On Sunday
What's On All Weekend
What's Coming Up
What's On Friday 2 May
Kick Off The Weekend In Kirra At 'Carpark Chaos'
On Friday 2 May, Kirra’s most iconic surf shop is turning up the good vibes with —a night of live music, surf films, giveaways, and more. Catch epic sets from Hockey Dad, The Terrys, and Shimmy, all under the stars at this laid-back local favourite. It’s the perfect way to start off an extra-long weekend of fun with salty air, great tunes, and a classic coast atmosphere. Sign up to win a ticket .
Turn Back Time To The Noughties At Miami Marketta’s No Scrubs Event
If your ideal night out involves belting out 90s and early 00s anthems on the dancefloor, at Miami Marketta is calling your name. This epic party is bringing all the throwback vibes with the biggest hits from 1990 to 2009—think pop, RnB, and all the guilty pleasures you secretly (or not so secretly) love.
With Miami Marketta’s buzzing atmosphere, street eats, and legendary party energy, you’re in for a night of pure nostalgia. Grab your crew and your best denim-on-denim fit—this one’s set to sell out fast. Last-minute tickets are still .
What's On Saturday 3 May
Join The Farmyard Fun At The Farm’s 10th Anniversary Celebration In Byron Bay
Image Credit: The Farm | Supplied
Get ready for a full day of farm-fresh fun— is on this Saturday at The Farm Byron Bay, and you’re invited to celebrate 10 years of growing, feeding, and community magic. Expect live tunes, free animal feeding, hands-on workshops, farm tours, market stalls, and a spit-roasted feast. Say less.
Drop into their free candle making or hore riding activities, otherwise sign up for a masterclass and learn how to grow (and maybe even eat) your own flowers. It’s free to attend, but spots are limited, so and soak up the good vibes.
Pamper Mum At Robina Town Centre's Mother's Day Markets
Spoil mum this weekend with shopping, workshops, and local markets at Robina Town Centre. Get hands-on with a tea blending workshop with The Tea Centre or make your own face masks together at Lush—it’s the perfect reason for a little pampering. The run from 11am to 3pm and are your go-to for unique gifts, live tunes, and local goodies while the little ones occupy themselves with face painting. Entry is free, but get ahead to .
Celebrate International Pilates Day With Free Outdoor Classes
International Pilates Day is celebrated worldwide this Saturday 3 May and will be hosting two free outdoor classes at the Bathing Pavilion in Broadwater Parklands to mark the occasion. Laura Jane Fit will be taking the free classes, with a 7am class for early risers and a second class at 8am for those who like a (little) sleep in. Classes are free, you'll just need to secure your spot in advance .
Shop Local At Burleigh’s Saturday Farmers Markets
If community vibes and homemade chutneys are your weekend jam, then head over to the Saturday morning from 7am until midday, where an abundance of farm-fresh produce sits amongst flower pop-ups, collectables and international street food stalls. Spend your extra day of rest baking up a storm at home with these local goodies that taste even better than they smell. More info .
What's On Sunday 4 May
Get Your Hands Dirty At The Bi-Annual Gold Coast Potters Market Day
If you’re all about handmade treasures, the is a must. Held twice a year, this much-loved event brings together around 40 local artisan stalls selling everything from ceramics and woodwork to jewellery and art. Held in Benowa from 9am to 2pm, expect a laid-back day filled with live music, pottery demos, food trucks, and plenty to keep the little ones entertained. Plus, the Potters and Sculptors Gallery will be open for even more creative inspo. RSVP for the free event .
What's On All Weekend
Rally Your Crew And Get Your Groove On This Year’s OUT 2 LUNCH Festival
Image Credit: OUT 2 LUNCH Festival | Supplied
Get ready, party people— is back and bigger than ever this long weekend, taking over Broadwater Parklands for two epic days of beats and good vibes. For the first time ever, FISHER will be headlining both days with an unforgettable headline double set and other main acts include legends like Hayden James, Patrick Topping and Chris Lake.
Limited tickets remain on Saturday and Sunday tickets are still up for grabs, so pack your coolest clothes, rally your crew and lock it in before you miss out on the biggest waterside party of the year. Tickets and more details .
If you're looking for a pre-drinks spot, you'll find us at in Surfers, where they'll be hosting a OUT 2 LUNCH Pre's Weekend Takeover with DJs Richy Penny and Mister Bennetts. Plus, will be giving away a free, limited edition T-shirt, screened right before your eyes, with every bucket of the bubbly beverage purchased.
Ride The Creative Wave At Flotsam Festival This May
Image Credit: Flotsam Festival | Supplied
is back from May 1 and running until May 14, celebrating surf culture with an eclectic mix of film screenings, photography exhibitions, workshops, and pop-up events across the Southern Gold Coast. This weekend, some highlights include the blowout across Coolangatta’s best-loved haunts on Thursday 1 May. From 5pm to 8.30pm, the precinct will come alive with surf flicks, DJ sets, live music, workshops, exhibitions, and epic projections, which are all free to attend.
Running from Friday 2 May to Sunday 4 May, head to the in Kirra's Roughton Park where you can enjoy community beachside film nights, workshops, artist displays and live music. You'll catch us at the at our favourite Currumbin hotspot, Dust Temple, showcasing iconic surf photography alongside screenings like the nostalgic Waves of Paradise documentary. It’s all about salty creativity, coastal pride, and serious good vibes. This year, for the first time, the Flotsam Festival also coincides with the WSL Championship Tour in Burleigh from 3-13 May. Explore the events and artists on their .
Catch Insane Surfing Action At The WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
The world's best surfers are descending on Burleigh Heads for up to ten days with the taking over the Gold Coast from May 3 to May 13. The Gold Coast Pro has moved from its home at the famous Snapper Rocks due to damage from Cyclone Alfred but that certainly isn't quelling our excitement for what is set to be a huge weekend of pro surfing action.
Burleigh Headland has completely transformed for the international event, with infrastructure, viewing spots and a pop-up bar on top of the Burleigh Pavilion. Additionally, Gold Coast surfing legend Stephanie Gilmore will make a one-off appearance at the Gold Coast Pro and we can't wait to see her back in action. You can see more event details, heat draws and champions on the WSL website .
Lights, Camera, Action At The Gold Coast Film Festival
From April 30 to May 11, the is set to take over the city with 12 days of unmissable film experiences. Celebrating its 24th year, the festival will showcase a dynamic program of local and international films, from powerful feature films to thought-provoking shorts.
Beyond the screenings, the festival also delivers inspirational panels, outdoor cinemas, and special events at HOTA—including the fan-favourite SIPFest, where thousands gather under the stars. This vibrant celebration of storytelling on screen has something for every film buff, casual moviegoer or aspiring creative. Find out .
Explore Tamborine Mountain’s Vibrant Arts Scene This Long Weekend
This Labour Day long weekend, the returns, inviting you to roam through lush rainforests, soak up breathtaking views, and meet over 100 talented artists across open studios and art hubs. Wander among large-scale sculptures nestled in nature, check out the stunning , and see the next generation shine in the Regional Students Arts Showcase.
Don't miss a sweet stop at Provedore on Main Street on Sunday, where you can nibble on baked goodies while admiring the bold works of local artist Sabine Bannard. It’s the perfect weekend to celebrate creativity in one of Queensland’s most picturesque pockets. More details and map .
Walk Among the Stars at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Astra Lumina
Only recently opened, Astra Lumina has started out with a big bang—pun intended. The illuminated 1.5km night-time walk will have you feeling over the moon—literally. Located in the bushland of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, journey across nine remarkable light shows inspired by the stars, ending with a photo booth to capture the memory. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a family-friendly adventure, tickets are currently on sale for $35 from every Wednesday to Saturday. More details .
What's Coming Up
Splash Into Luxury At The Sanctuary Cove Boat Show
Image Credit: SCIBS | Supplied
Running from Friday 23 May to Sunday 25 May, the Southern Hemisphere’s most glamorous boating event returns, with hundreds of boats flocking to the luxe waterside vibes for the . Dive into the action with exclusive VIP experiences, the latest marine tech and family-friendly fun all wrapped up in one epic lifestyle festival.
If you’re a seasoned sailor, or just looking for a reason to put your feet up and graze on gourmet food with live entertainment while looking out onto a sparkling lagoon pool—this is one unforgettable weekend. Book ahead .
Feast On Street Food Under The Stars At The HOTA Hawker Night Markets
Image Credit: HOTA Markets | Supplied
The are returning this June, and we can't wait for this feast for the senses. From 4pm to 9pm on Saturday 7 June, wander through over 150 gourmet stalls slinging everything from steamy dumplings to crispy banh mi under a sky of glowing lanterns.
Inspired by the bustling hawker markets of South-East Asia, expect live local music, roving street performers, fire tricks and buzzing night market vibes, set against the dreamy backdrop of the Evandale Lake. Entry is free, so just bring along your appetite (and maybe a spare tote bag for all your take-home goodies) and let the street food adventure begin. You can register for your free ticket and check out more details .
The Mega Solento Surf Festival Hits The Gold Coast This June
Image Credit: Solento Surf Festival | Supplied
From 7 to 14 June, the is bringing a full week of waves, film, art, and live music to Burleigh Heads, Mondrian Gold Coast (opening May 2025), and . Curated by legendary surf filmmaker Taylor Steele, the festival will feature epic surf flicks, world premieres, artist talks, a beachside surf comp, pop-up bars, live tunes, and more.
Kick off the good vibes with a community surf contest on Burleigh Headland, where locals can go board-to-board with the pros. It's all about surf culture, storytelling, and slowing down to soak it all in. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind celebration of coastal creativity. Find all the info you need .
Crack A Cold One At Stone & Wood’s Festival Of The Stone This June
Image Credit: Festival of the Stone | Supplied
Things are warming up in Byron Bay this winter as Festival of the Stone returns on Saturday 14 June. Hosted by Stone & Wood, this epic night blends fresh brews, live tunes, and community spirit. The star of the show? The 2025 Stone Beer, a bold, limited-edition winter release brewed the old-school way with hot stones and select Aussie malts, giving it a rich, smoky caramel flavour.
Pair your pint with live sets from homegrown legends like Old Mervs, Josh Pyke, The Belair Lip Bombs, dust, FELONY, and strayfold. Even better, all proceeds go to support Byron’s Fletcher Street Cottage. Good beer, great music, and a worthy cause—what more could you want? Early tickets are
Looking for more? Check out:
- Hit up some of the Gold Coast’s best restaurants.
- Book the ultimate staycay at the Gold Coast’s best accommodation.
- Catch up on the Gold Coast food news you missed.
Not enough? Check out 50 free (or cheap) things to do on the Gold Coast.
Main image Credit: Burleigh Festival | Supplied
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