12 Months of Awesome Gold Coast Events in 2014

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Thu 22 May 2014 - Sun 25 May 2014

The Gold Coast offers a huge variety of amazing, and often free, events throughout the year, and 2014 offers more than ever.

Spread out up and down the coast and catering for pretty much any taste, budget and location, you will be sure to find an awesome event for family and friends to enjoy.

I have selected a handful of events, mostly ones that I have attended but if you want to see a full calendar of events for this year coming up near you, then you can check out here , here and here .

January

Sunday 26 January: Australia Day Celebrations
Evandale Parklands, Bundall
Loads of family fun based around the arts centre. See wood chopping, sheep sheering, carnival rides and free entertainment. A wonderful spot to celebrate, have a barbecue, cool off in the lake and soak up all things Aussie with family and friends. Plus we get Monday off, whoop!
More Info

Friday 31 January - Sunday 2 February: Gold Coast Food & Wine Expo
Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach
Everything gourmet in this great annual event. I went last year and was very impressed with the range of stalls and demonstrations that were on, plus all the free samples, yum. If you love wine, cheese, cocktails, meat and everything cooking then this is a great day out, plus you get to cool off in the air con. One of the best bits for me, was sitting with a glass of vino and watching the celebrity chefs doing some live demonstrations on the main stage.
More Info



February

Friday 28 February - Wednesday 12 March: Quiksilver Pro & Roxy Pro
Coolangatta
The Gold Coast is one of the surfing capitals of the world, and this is a great event for professionals, novices and fans to see some of the best surfers in the world in a wonderful location. I have been to this the last two years and it's a great atmosphere, loads of people, live music, entertainment, food and drink and I even got to see Kelly Slater surf.
More Info



March

Friday 7 March - Sunday 23 March: Bleach Festival
Southern Gold Coast
This jam-packed festival celebrates contemporary live music, pop up art installations and exhibitions, outdoor film programs, street parties, theatre, and more all over three massive weekends. I went last year and was impressed with the diverse program offering loads of free entertainment, I especially loved the live music by Crrumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - lots of families and friends enjoying the sun, drink, food and some funky music.
More Info

April

Wednesday 2 April - Sunday 20 April: Surfers Paradise Festival
Surfers Paradise
A free festival that has a huge program of activities for adults and families throughout the day and evening over for busy weeks. Check out the market stalls, street performers, art, culture, kids games, music, craft, interactive exhibitions, events and fireworks and much more.
More Info



Thursday 3 April - Sunday 13 April: Gold Coast Film Festival
Broadbeach
The Gold Coast is a prime filmmaking location and to celebrate this 10 day festival offers audiences a culturally diverse, interactive and engaging program of film and events across various Gold Coast locations. It also promotes local talent and assists the growing industry. There are exhibitions, film screenings and talks and workshops - you may even see some famous movie stars.
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Friday 4 April - Sunday 6 April: Supanova Pop Culture Expo
Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach
Embrace your inner geek and head to this fabulous event, I know I have a geek in me ting to get out. Wanna meet characters and stars from Star Wars and Game of Thrones? Of course you do. It was excellent last year, wondering around the Gold Coast and seeing various superheroes and villains wandering around battling the heat in their costumes.
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May

Thursday 22 May - Sunday 25 May: Blues on Broadbeach Festival
Broadbeach
This multi award winning festival is now bigger and better than ever, and manages to bring together music fans of all generations and tastes. Loads of stages throughout Broadbeach offering different styles of Blues - there really is something for everyone to enjoy and best of all it's free. I love having a drink at one of the bars on surf parade, whilst awesome music is being played live, plus the atmosphere is just awesome and friendly.
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Thursday 22 May - Sunday 25 May: Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Sanctuary Cove
Bringing together the very best of the boating industry to showcase the latest products and developments on a local, national and international stage. See exhibitions, demonstrations and live entertainment, all in the picturesque setting of Sanctuary Cove, I always enjoy visiting here and dreaming of the yacht I'll own in the future.
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Friday 30 May - Monday 9 June: Cooly Rocks On
Coolangatta
If you are anything like me and have a love for al things 50's, you will love this rock 'n' roll and nostalgia car festival that combines all things rock, rockabilly and swing. Over 50 big names play with loads of retro markets, free entertainment, workshops and parades. There is even a poodle parade - yes really!
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June

Friday 20 June - Sunday 22 June: Broadbeach Country Music Festival
Broadbeach
Last year was the first time this event had featured in Broadbeach and it was so popular that within a few days they had already secured the dates for this year. Featuring local, Australian and International artists this is a free event has loads of live music to suit all tastes - I caught some of the acts last year and the atmosphere was excellent and everyone was just having so much fun. Plus it's free.
More Info



July

Saturday 5 July - Sunday 6 July: GC Airport Marathon
Broadwater Parklands, Southport
Whatever you can manage there is a race for you - There is a Marathon, a Half Marathon, a 10km Run, a 5km Challenge and Junior Dash races for the kids. I have done a few 10K fun runs in the past and they are truly rewarding both personally and in giving to charity. I was planning on doing the half marathon last year, however I fell pregnant, perhaps I'll sign up for this year. Maybe!
More Info

August

Friday 15 August - Sunday 17 August: Broadbeach Jazz Festival
Broadbeach
A free festival for jazz lovers who flock to Broadbeach from all over Australia. A fabulous vibe and variety of music, which caters for the serious jazz fans together with those new to the genre. Fun, friendly and funky. This will be my third year and I am sure it will continue to impress and entertain - there is nothing like enjoying jazz by the beach.
More Info



Friday 29 August - Sunday 31 August: Gold Coast Show
GC Turf Club, Racecourse Drive, Bundall
A family fun carnival full to the brim of rides, attractions, entertainment and much more. Everything kids could want and fun for the adults too such as fireworks displays, Australiana displays, show bags, wood chops, side show alley, visual arts, home crafts displays, stage shows, roving entertainment and a FREE family circus.
More Info

September

Friday 12 September - Sunday 21 September: Swell Sculptures Festival
Currumbin
This is the 10th anniversary of the festival which just goes from strength to strength each year. I always love going here and seeing the excellent, and often crazy art displays on the beach. I usually go just for the beach exhibition but there is much more on offer if you want to get fully involved, such as smaller collections, artist talks and workshops and special events. Plus Currumbin Beach is just beautiful.
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Sunday 28 September: Celebrate Gold Coast
Broadwater Parklands
This free family event celebrates all things Gold Coast including heritage, lifestyle and culture. Plus we have a lot to celebrate here on the Goldie, as there is so much development coming soon with major improvements happening up and down the coast.
More Info

October

Date TBC: Gold Coast Pet & Animal Expo
Central Park Oval, Varsity Lakes
This is very cute and my stepdaughter just loved it. Completely free and loads of cute animals to pet, learn about and see. The highlight for me was these dogs leaping into a massive pool, really funny and the dogs just loved it. If its a hot day like last year there is a section indoors with more animals, entertainment, demos and talks.
More Info



Friday 24 October - Sunday 26 October: Armor All Gold Coast 600
Surfers Paradise
Motorsport's biggest international names join forces with V8 racing stars for this exhilarating racing event through the streets of Surfers Paradise. There is a concert at night with some big names, previous acts such as Good Charlotte have played. I live on Chevron Island and I can tell you the sound of the cars and smell of burning rubber is pretty immense when this takes place.
More Info

November

Saturday 1 November - Sunday 2 November: Coolangatta Festival of Surf, Sand and Sweat
Coolangatta
A weekend of fun in the sun including the Great Gold Coast Swim, a 5km Beach Fun Run, a Family Fun Day in addition to the Endurance Race. Whether training for the ultimate race or after a bit of fun on the beach, head down to the beach with e family and cheer competitors on.
More Info

Saturday 22 November - Saturday 29 November: Schoolies QLD
Surfers Paradise
Potentially you want to avoid the Gold Coast during this time, however, I spoke to a number of cafes, bars and restaurants last year, who said it may be the opposite. Most of the Schoolies are concentrated around Surfers, but most people stay away from the whole of the Gold Coast, which means that places further south are pretty quiet and peaceful.

December

Christmas Events
Gold Coast
There are load of Christmas events in December, pretty much all of them free. From carol concerts, festivals, rides and attractions, markets, winter wonderlands and more. Christmas is always amazing on the Gold Coast.
More Info - last year's events, I will update for this year in December.

Wednesday 31 December: NYE Fireworks
Gold Coast
There are loads of firework displays and new year family events up and down the coast for free. Offering rides, attractions, markets, live music, entertainment and fireworks. Loads of free fun to see in the New Year.
More Info - last year's display times, I will update to this year in December.

How lucky are we to live somewhere that offers so many events, there is pretty much something on every weekend. Whatever you do, have a wonderful 2014.

#currumbin
#coolangatta
#concerts
#central_gold_coast
#bundall
#broadbeach
#exhibitions
#family
#festivals
#kids
#southport
#surfers_paradise
#varsity_lakes
#january
#lists
#april
#december
#february
#july
#june
#march
#may
#november
#october
#september
!date 22/05/2014 -- 25/05/2014
%wngoldcoast