More than half a million visitors attend the events the Gold Coast hosts each year. That number’s expected to climb in early 2025, with major festivals already on the calendar. From elite surf life-saving championships to twilight concerts and school holiday workshops, there’s something for everyone.
Planning your trip now means securing the best accommodation before it’s snapped up. The Isle of Palms in Elanora gives you a peaceful place to stay, minutes from the action. This blog covers the top events Gold Coast will host between January and April—and why you’ll want to be there.
Events Gold Coast Locals and Visitors Can’t Wait For
The early part of 2025 promises an exciting lineup of events Gold Coast travellers won’t want to miss. Best of all, many of these standout events are an easy drive from Elanora, making them ideal for guests staying at Isle of Palms.
Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle – Grand Final
📍 Dates: April 12–13, 2025 – Coolangatta Beach
Australia’s top surf clubs converge for the final showdown of this prestigious competition. Expect buzzing crowds, elite talent, and a full weekend of Gold Coast entertainment.
The atmosphere is electric, especially with the beach as the backdrop. This is one of the key events Gold Coast locals circle on their calendar each year.
The Aussies – Australian Surf Life Saving Championships 2025
📍 Dates: 29 March – 6 April 2025
One of the largest festivals the Gold Coast will see this season, The Aussies brings together thousands of surf lifesavers to celebrate skill, speed, and coastal pride. With the ocean as the centre stage, it’s a genuinely iconic event that’s as inspiring to watch as it is exciting.
Gold Coast Volleyslam Beach Volleyball Festival
📍 Dates: March 21–30, 2025 – Coolangatta
Ten days of international-level volleyball meet sun, music, and celebration. It’s one of the top Gold Coast festivals for active families and groups of friends who love sport and beachside energy.
The vibe is relaxed, fun, and very local, with music and markets running alongside the matches. It’s one of those events Gold Coast gets just right: casual, colourful, and completely unforgettable.
School Holiday Activities Families Will Love
Families heading to the Gold Coast during the January 2025 school holidays are in for a treat. This part of the coast is packed with family-friendly activities that balance fun, education, and ease of access.
From hands-on wildlife experiences to creative workshops and sprawling playgrounds, plenty keeps young minds and little legs busy.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Summer Night Tours + Wild Skies Show
📍 Dates: Night Tours and Wild Skies run daily throughout January 2025
This iconic spot offers more than daytime adventures, only a 7-minute drive from the Isle of Palms. Book a summer night tour to see nocturnal animals in action or catch the Wild Skies Free Flight Show, where birds of prey take to the air in stunning displays. It’s educational, entertaining, and ideal for family things to do on the Gold Coast over the holidays.
Palm Beach Parklands & Pirate Treasure Island Playground
📍 Open Year-Round – Best During School Holidays
Just down the road in Palm Beach, QLD, this space blends open parklands with one of the best kids’ playgrounds on the coast. Pirate Treasure Island is perfect for little adventurers with its ship-themed climbing structures, swings, and sandy play zones. It’s a great place to slow down, let the kids run free, and enjoy a picnic by the water.
The Pines Elanora – School Holiday Workshops
📍 Dates: Throughout January 2025, exact dates to be announced closer to the holidays
The Pines shopping centre becomes a school holiday hub within walking distance from your accommodation. Previous programs have included free slime labs, LEGO build days, and nature-themed crafts. It’s perfect for an easy morning activity—no long drives, no entry fees, just engaging kids’ activities. Gold Coast families return year after year.
Those looking for things to do on the Gold Coast for family holidays that are both fun and convenient will find these activities tick all the boxes.
Valentine’s Day Ideas for Couples on the Coast
February brings warm nights, golden sunsets, and the perfect excuse for a romantic escape. Planning a special night out or a relaxing weekend together? The Gold Coast offers plenty of couples-friendly experiences just a short drive from Elanora.
Miami Marketta
📍 Valentine’s Weekend Dates: Friday, 14 February & Saturday, 15 February 2025
This buzzing street food laneway comes alive with live music, artisan eats, and a festive crowd every weekend. Expect fairy lights overhead, pop-up dessert carts, and plenty of shared platters for Valentine’s Day. Just 20 minutes from the Isle of Palms, it’s one of the best ways to experience laid-back Gold Coast entertainment that blends music, food, and atmosphere.
Burleigh Heads National Park
📍 Best for Sunrise and Sunset Walks – Open Year-Round
Start your day with a hand-in-hand walk along the Burleigh Headland trail. As the sun rises over the Pacific, you’ll pass lookout points, native bushland, and quiet coves. It’s one of the simplest yet most beautiful activities to do on the Gold Coast, especially for couples who want to unwind in nature.
HOTA – Home of the Arts
📍 February 2025 Program: Live concerts, comedy nights, and outdoor cinema
Just 25 minutes from Elanora, HOTA is the Gold Coast’s premier destination for arts and culture. Their Valentine’s week lineup typically includes twilight concerts and open-air films—ideal for a romantic evening out. Anyone searching for what’s on the Gold Coast this February will want to put this at the top of their list.
Soft music under the stars or the natural rhythm of the waves—these Valentine’s Day options highlight how much the Gold Coast concerts scene and coastal beauty can elevate your holiday.
Free and Local Markets Worth Waking Up For
There’s something about a coastal morning that makes waking up early feel easy, especially when there’s fresh coffee, live music, and handmade goods waiting nearby. The Gold Coast is well known for its weekend markets, and if you’re staying in Elanora, some of the best are right on your doorstep.
Palm Beach Farmers Markets
📍 Every Saturday from 6:30 am – Palm Beach Currumbin High School
A weekend favourite for locals and visitors alike, these markets serve up the best of the Gold Coast’s creative and culinary talent. Expect farm-fresh produce, small-batch baked goods, handmade jewellery, and local art. It’s a relaxed way to start your day, and the atmosphere is perfect for families or couples looking for Gold Coast things to do on a Saturday morning.
Elanora and Nearby Community Events
📍 Check local parks and shopping centres – especially during school holidays
You’ll often find smaller, community-driven markets and pop-up events in and around Elanora—especially at The Pines shopping centre or nearby reserves. These gatherings highlight local makers and performers, and many include free kids’ entertainment. They’re great activities to do on the Gold Coast, Australia, and they require little planning and no big budget.
You might be craving something sweet, searching for the perfect keepsake, or simply enjoying a slow morning stroll—these markets bring the kind of easy, local experiences that make a holiday feel more connected and relaxed.
Free and Local Markets Worth Waking Up For
There’s something about a coastal morning that makes waking up early feel easy, especially when there’s fresh coffee, live music, and handmade goods waiting nearby. The Gold Coast is well known for its weekend markets, and if you’re staying in Elanora, some of the best are right on your doorstep.
Palm Beach Farmers Markets
📍 Every Saturday from 6:30 am – Palm Beach Currumbin High School
A weekend favourite for locals and visitors alike, these markets serve up the best of the Gold Coast’s creative and culinary talent.
Expect farm-fresh produce, small-batch baked goods, handmade jewellery, and local art. It’s a relaxed way to start your day, and the atmosphere is perfect for families or couples looking for Gold Coast things to do on a Saturday morning.
Wrapping Up a Season of Colour and Celebration
The Gold Coast doesn’t slow down after Christmas. It rolls out a calendar filled with community, sport, and family-focused events from January through April. You might be visiting during the school holidays, planning a romantic getaway, or just looking to stay close to what’s on the Gold Coast—either way, you’ll find something to suit your style and budget.
Make sure to plan early and build your stay around what excites you most. The best events Gold Coast hosts are the ones that match your pace and leave you with memories worth holding onto.
A Quiet Escape Close to It All
While the region buzzes with energy, the Isle of Palms in Elanora offers something many travellers value most: peace. You’ll wake up beside tranquil lake waters, but be just minutes from all the action. Your accommodation becomes the base for relaxation and adventure—a beach day, a twilight market, or a kids’ activity nearby.
The value is unbeatable, and the location means no long drives or noisy crowds. Anyone looking for Elanora accommodation that balances comfort, quiet, and proximity has just found it.
*Image Credit: The Australian Boardriders Battle QLD
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