Did you consider the Sunshine Coast to be a place just for sightseeing? Then you are wrong. The Sunshine Coast has much to offer those seeking fun and frolic.
Several Sunshine Coast events are hosted year-round that you can enjoy alone or with a group of friends. From dance and music to surfing and sports there are umpteen number of events you can take part in. Not to forget the food scene of the region. Whether you are with family or bringing some visitors around, you will find the right event year-round.
Which are the best Sunshine Coast events you should not miss out on?
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships is an annual event conducted from April 13-24, 2024. This event witnessed Australia’s 314 surf clubs come together and compete in several beach and ocean events.
This event provides a platform for experienced surfing enthusiasts to show their skills and compete with each other at a higher level.
The Rugby Championship – U20s
The U20 Rugby Championship was held on the Sunshine Coast in May 2024. The stars of Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia were a part of this championship.
This championship is conducted with the aim of defining a path for young rugby players so that they can compete in national and international events.
Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast
The Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast is one of the upcoming events on the Sunshine Coast. At this event, you will witness Iron men and women taking part in a series of races.
The course starts with a run followed by swimming in the Mooloolaba beach. The participants then set off on a furious ride followed by a coastal run before touching the finishing point.
You can be a part of the Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast or witness the event live on 8th September 2024.
Mooloolaba Triathlon
The Mooloolaba Triathlon is open to anyone over 15 years of age. It combines swimming, biking, and running to form a fun and thrilling event. This is another one of the upcoming events scheduled to be conducted on March 8th and 9th, 2025.
The Curated Plate food and drink festival
This food and drink festival showcases the local produce, producers and chefs of the Sunshine Coast. You can taste different types of food, from the sea to the hinterland, at this festival.
The event is conducted from 26th July to 4th August, and different restaurants and bars showcase their masterpieces in this festival. Besides food and drink, you can also enjoy time on the cruise, take part in farm tours and even try your hands on cooking.
Australian wearable art festival
This festival is a spectacular fusion of art and fashion. Designers and artists get an opportunity to showcase their design and art work in the form of wearable art. National and international artists and designers will be part of this art festival.
The Australian wearable art festival will be conducted on 10th August from 8am to 11am at Bokarina, Queensland.
Sunshine Coast Latin Dance Festival
The Banana Bender Pub is organising the Sunshine Coast Latin dance festival from 27th Sept, fri to 29th Sept, Sun. This festival showcases the best of Cuban Salsa and international Bachata with electrifying beats and sizzling moves.
The highlight of this dance festival are the 2 hour bootcamp and eight workshops conducted by professional instructors for those interesting to know more about this dance form.
Sunny Coast showdown
The Sunny Coast Showdown is a two-day movie festival. The festival begins on 21 jun, fri with a long lunch at Bella Venezia in Mooloolaba. The event will have a live panel of industry experts who will share their stories from the film set. This will be followed by Pacific Island filmfest where you can watch some award-winning films.
The final day is the showdown showcase, where six locally made movies by Sunny Coast creatives will be aired.
Noosa Alive festival
The Noosa Alive festival is a true amalgamation of art and culture. You can listen to live music at the beach and enjoy theatre and ballet. The highlight of the festival is the food and wine event, where you can enjoy a sumptuous spread.
The Noosa Alive festival is from 19th July, Fri to 28th July Sun.
The Rangebow festival
The Rangebow festival’s main theme is sustainability, diversity, and creativity. It showcases art, music, and opera, as well as the food and culture of the First Nations. The festival is conducted in various locations, such as Maleny, Flaxton, Montvile, and Mapleton from 1st August to 4th August.
Queensland Garden Expo
Gardeners and those with a green thumb will surely enjoy this garden expo. Conducted from 4th – 7th July 2024, this expo hosts different themes like a giant kitchen garden, cook’s garden and living backyard. A floral design competition is also conducted as part of the expo.
Little gardeners can have a field day planting seeds and indulging in crafts and activities designed with the aim to engage them in gardening activities.
Conclusion
Festivals and expos can bring a positive vibe to all. The Sunshine Coast has some of the best festivals in the whole of Australia thanks to the wonderful climate and stunning natural beauty of the region. Whether you want to explore the food and wine scene, or have a glimpse of art and culture, these expos and festivals are the place to be.