It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… and we’re ready to get festive on the Gold Coast! Celebrate the season with Gold Coast community carols, Christmas Markets and fun festive activities that really do make it the most magical time of the year.
Christmas Activities
It doesn't snow on the Gold Coast, but you can still experience a magical white Christmas! Get into the festive spirit with Christmas-themed mini golf, watching movies under the stars, cruising up the canals admiring light displays or decorating delicious Christmas treats.
Christmas Markets GC - Broadwater Parklands
Hop aboard Gold Coast Canal Cruises for a magical tour of pretty Christmas lights along the Gold Coast’s gorgeous waterways. Many waterfront homes get into the Christmas spirit with impressive displays of twinkling lights and Christmas themed characters. Take in lights and sights from their very comfortable vessel - there’s a fully licenced bar on board so you can enjoy this unique tour with your favourite tipple in hand. It’s a very popular experience so book your tickets ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Movie World's White Christmas
The magic of Christmas is alive and well at Warner Bros. Movie World - their annual White Christmas takes festive celebrations to the next level! A transformation has taken place and a wondrous winter wonderland awaits from December 8th - 23rd. Main Street is covered in snow, lights create magical illuminations and the all-new ‘Joy to the World’ parade kicks off with floats from around the world. In addition, a selection of rides will operate in night mode, so bring the whole family for a fun and festive night out.
A Festive Oasis
It’s looking a lot like Christmas at Oasis Shopping Centre in Broadbeach with free festive entertainment and face painting on December 20th - 22nd from 11am - 2pm. Madison’s Café and Patisserie are holding fun holiday activities where mini-master chefs can decorate their own mini Gingerbread houses to take home and share with their families also. Tickets are $25.00 pp and include a frosty milkshake. Or there’s a grown-up version where you can decorate a full size gingerbread house, while enjoying sips and nibbles as a professional pastry chef shares pointers and creative inspiration to make your Christmas creation truly special. See the website for more details and how to book.
Donut Decorating
Entertain your little baker by decorating donuts at Krispy Kreme in Paradise Centre, Surfers Paradise. For $9.50 they’ll get two donuts and a fun range of toppings and coloured icing to create a delightfully festive sweet treat. There are multiple sessions happening on December 20th and 21st - bookings are essential!
Santa's Putt Putt
For a fun activity in the lead-up to Christmas, play a game of mini golf with a difference at The Club at Parkwood Village. The first nine holes have been transformed into a Christmas wonderland! Each hole is adorned with festive decorations - fairy lights, festive decor, snow, bubbles, music and more! Head down for the ultimate festive family fun between November 10th and January 2nd.
Movies Under the Stars
During December enjoy festive-themed Movies Under the Stars. Pack a picnic dinner, bring blanket and pillows and settle in for an alfresco viewing of Christmas movies including Elf and Elliot the Littlest Reindeer. This free, family-friendly event takes place at multiple locations including Broadbeach, Paradise Point, Carrara, Pimpama and Southport.
Gold Coast Christmas Markets
For a different take on shopping this Christmas, why not make a conscious choice to support small businesses, creatives and artisans in the community by buying some of your gifts at local Christmas Markets? Here’s some of our favourites.
HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets - Bundall
The HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets are ones you won’t want to miss, with a night of Christmas celebrations in store. Wind your way through market lanes and browse the region's best gourmet street eats, decadent desserts, bespoke boutiques, and one of a kind gift finds, all under twinkling festoon lights. Enjoy live music and roving performers, snap a selfie with an elfie and say hi to Santa who’ll be making an appearance too. The festive fun will take place on Saturday December 16th from 4 - 9pm.
Dreamworld Night Markets
Every Friday and Saturday night until Christmas you can get into the Christmas spirit at Dreamworld Night Markets. Alongside the usual offering of incredible street food and decadent desserts there’ll be live Christmas tunes, markets stalls selling gifts, Christmas movies on the big screen and other festive fun. From 5 - 9pm every Friday and Saturday night until Christmas. $2 entry fee, free for Dreamworld Passholders.
Surfers Paradise Christmas Twilight Market - Surfers Paradise
Pack your biggest Christmas shopping bag for the beachfront Surfers Paradise Christmas Twilight Markets with over 100 stalls sharing all things Christmas along the Surfers Paradise Esplanade on Saturday December 9th from 4 - 9 pm. Find unique gifts to appease hard-to-buy-for family and friends, load up on handmade Christmas decorations, feast at the food stalls and have some helpers on hand who’ll enjoy the free entertainment, activities and Christmas vibe as much as you.
Christmas Markets GC - Broadwater Parklands
The biggest festive markets are coming to town and it’s a sight to see, with hundreds of stalls and enchanting Christmas lights twinkling in the trees. Christmas Markets GC will take over Broadwater Parklands from December 15th - 17th between 4 -10pm each day. There’s lots of live entertainment and fun for kids, from face painting to rides, as well as decorations, gifts galore, Christmas treats and a visit from Santa. You can even snap a festive photo inside a snowglobe!
Tamborine Twilight Christmas Country Market
On Friday November 24th from 5pm, Bearded Dragon Hotel will be transformed into a festive wonderland on the evening of Christmas celebrations. Tamborine Twilight Christmas Country Market will be a lively night of live music, a pop-up bar, food trucks, a petting zoo, letter to Santa and a visit from the big man himself. In the spirit of giving, this events the rural fire brigade and local wildlife charities.
Gold Coast Christmas Carols
Get into the Christmas spirit at community carols events across the city to celebrate the festive season. These free, family-friendly events are the epitome of festive fun - as well singing along to all your favourite Christmas tunes, enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, Santa visits and festive fireworks. Gather your nearest and dearest, pack a picnic blanket and spend a beautiful evening celebrating with Gold Coast locals.
North Burleigh Carols by the Sea: Ed Hardy Park, Burleigh - Thursday December 7th, 4 - 8pm.
Cooly Carols: Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta - Sunday December 10th, 5.50 - 7.30pm.
Carols in Coomera: Coomera Sports Park, Coomera - Saturday December 16th, 4.30 - 6.30pm.
Currumbin Community Christmas Carols: 59 Galleon, Currumbin - Wednesday December 20th, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Sanctuary Cove’s Christmas Carols: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove - Thursday 14th December, 3.30 - 8pm.
Mayor’s Christmas Carols: HOTA Outdoor Stage, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise - Saturday December 2nd, 6 - 8.30pm.
Tugun Lights Up: Toolona St, Tugun - Saturday December 2nd, from 4pm.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.