The Gold Coast music festival calendar blends free beachfront events, large-scale touring festivals and music-focused weekends that draw crowds from across Queensland and beyond.

Major Gold Coast festivals

Australian country singer-songwriter Abbie Ferris performs at Groundwater Country Music Festival on the Gold Coast. Photo: Facebook.

Laneway Festival — February 7

Held at Southport Sharks, Laneway Festival became one of the Gold Coast’s biggest festival additions in 2026 after shifting from Brisbane.

Website → Laneway Festival Gold Coast

Ultra Beach — April 12

Held at Broadwater Parklands, Ultra Beach brings large-scale EDM production and international festival energy to the Gold Coast. The event is built around dance music, big stages and a beachside setting.

Website → Ultra Beach Gold Coast

Blues on Broadbeach — May 14–17

Blues on Broadbeach brings major blues, roots and soul acts to venues and outdoor spaces across Broadbeach. The free festival has become one of the Gold Coast’s signature live music events, drawing audiences from across Australia.

Website → Blues on Broadbeach

Cooly Rocks On — June 3–7

Cooly Rocks On celebrates rock ’n’ roll, swing, rockabilly and vintage culture across Coolangatta. While broader than a straight music festival, its live performance program makes it a standout event on the Gold Coast calendar.

Website → Cooly Rocks On

BLEACH* — October 1–11

BLEACH* is the Gold Coast’s flagship contemporary arts festival, combining music, performance, visual art and large-scale public events across multiple locations. Its strong live performance focus makes it an important part of the coast’s wider festival calendar.

Website → BLEACH*

Groundwater Country Music Festival — October 16–18

Groundwater Country Music Festival transforms Broadbeach into a multi-stage country music hub across three days. With a strong mix of established and emerging artists, it has grown into one of the Gold Coast’s defining music festivals.

Website → Groundwater Country Music Festival

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Gold Coast and nearby favourites

Gold Coast audiences also move between nearby Brisbane and South East Queensland events, with the wider region helping shape the festival year beyond the coastline itself.

Open Season — May 25 to July 25

Presented by The Tivoli Group, Open Season is Brisbane’s annual winter music and arts program, spanning multiple venues and public spaces across the city. Its scale and line-up breadth make it one of the region’s standout music-focused events.

Website → Open Season

Festival of the Stone — June 2026

Presented by Stone & Wood, Festival of the Stone is Byron Bay’s annual music and brewery event, bringing live music, beer and a relaxed Northern Rivers atmosphere together at the brewery.

Website → Festival of the Stone

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Related YELO guides

• Gold Coast gig guide
• Queensland music festivals
• Gold Coast live music venues
• Brisbane music festivals