Events · Festive Season
Christmas & New Year’s Eve in Broadbeach
Beach-side celebrations, festive dining, NYE fireworks - how Broadbeach does the holiday season.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve on the Gold Coast is unlike anywhere else in Australia. While the southern states shiver through a grey December, Broadbeach delivers warm evenings, golden sand, and outdoor celebrations that feel like a tropical holiday - because that’s exactly what they are.
Broadbeach is one of the best spots on the Gold Coast for the festive season. The beachfront parks host community events, Oracle Boulevard restaurants put on special menus, The Star lights up with entertainment, and New Year’s Eve fireworks are visible from Kurrawa Park without fighting the Surfers Paradise crowds.
The catch? Broadbeach is extremely popular over this period. Accommodation books out months in advance, and restaurant tables for Christmas lunch and NYE dinner fill up by early November. This guide covers everything you need to plan - and when to book.
Key Dates & Tips
- Peak season: 20 December - 7 January - book accommodation 2-3 months ahead
- Christmas Day dining: most restaurants open with special menus - book by early November
- NYE fireworks: two free displays off Kurrawa Park, 8pm family show and midnight
- Surfers Paradise NYE fireworks also visible from Broadbeach beach looking north
- Accommodation prices: 50-100% higher than normal during peak festive week
| Event | When | Where | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadbeach Christmas Carols | Mid-December (2026 date TBA) | Kurrawa Park | Free |
| Christmas in Broadbeach | December, 12pm to 8:30pm daily | Broadbeach Mall, Victoria Ave | Free |
| Christmas Day lunch | 25 December | Various restaurants | Pre-booking essential |
| Boxing Day beach day | 26 December | Kurrawa Beach | Free |
| NYE family fireworks | 31 Dec, 8pm | Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach | Free |
| NYE midnight fireworks | 31 Dec, midnight | Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach (and Surfers Paradise) | Free |
| The Star NYE events | 31 December | The Star Gold Coast | Ticketed, varies |
The Two Free Christmas Events in Broadbeach
Broadbeach runs two separate free festive events, and they are easy to confuse because both carry “Christmas” and “Broadbeach” in the name.
Broadbeach Christmas Carols is the big one: a single evening at Kurrawa Park with kids activities from about 3pm, carols from about 6pm, a lineup of performers, an appearance from Santa and fireworks to finish. It is free and there is no ticketing. The exact 2026 date had not been published at the time of writing, which is normal. It usually lands in the middle of December and is confirmed a few weeks out, so check closer to the date rather than planning a trip around an assumed one.
Christmas in Broadbeach is the daily activation in Broadbeach Mall on Victoria Avenue, next to The Oasis. It runs through December from around midday to 8:30pm with free festive workshops, gingerbread cookie decorating, Christmas craft, storytime theatre and Santa’s post office, plus Santa photo opportunities in the evening from about 5:30pm. The workshops are free but need to be booked, so do that before you turn up with children in tow.
Neither event is ticketed, and both are walkable from anywhere in central Broadbeach. If you are staying in the suburb over the festive fortnight, they are the two dates worth building an evening around.
Christmas Day in Broadbeach
Christmas Day in Broadbeach follows a distinctly Australian pattern: morning presents (if you have kids), followed by a long Christmas lunch, followed by an afternoon at the beach.
Christmas Day dining: A good number of Broadbeach restaurants trade on Christmas Day, almost always on a set menu rather than the regular a la carte list. Menus and pricing are usually published from about October and vary far too much between venues to quote a single figure, so check directly with the restaurant when you book. Venues that have run Christmas Day service in recent years include:
• Nineteen at The Star - premium buffet with seafood, roasts, and dessert bar. One of the most popular Christmas bookings on the Gold Coast.
• Koi Dining - Asian-fusion Christmas menu with a twist
• Social House - relaxed Christmas lunch with beachside views
• Moo Moo at The Star - premium steakhouse Christmas lunch
Book early. Christmas Day tables at popular Broadbeach restaurants fill up by early November. If you’re arriving mid-December and haven’t booked, your options will be very limited. Call directly rather than relying on online booking - some restaurants hold tables for phone bookings.
Self-catering: If you’re staying in an apartment with a kitchen, Woolworths at Pacific Fair is open until 6pm on Christmas Eve. The beachfront barbecues at Kurrawa Park are first-come-first-served and get claimed early on Christmas morning - arrive by 8am if you want one.
New Year’s Eve in Broadbeach
NYE in Broadbeach offers the best of both worlds: you’re close enough to see the Surfers Paradise fireworks but far enough to avoid the 100,000-person crowd.
Fireworks viewing:
• Kurrawa Park / Broadbeach beach - Broadbeach gets its own two free displays off Kurrawa: a family show at 8pm and the main event at midnight. You do not have to travel to Surfers Paradise to see fireworks, which is the single best reason to base yourself here for New Year’s Eve. Bring a blanket and arrive by 7pm for a good spot on the grass.
• The Star Gold Coast - multiple NYE events across the precinct, from casual rooftop bars to premium ticketed parties. These book out well in advance.
• Restaurant NYE dinners - Oracle Boulevard restaurants run special New Year’s Eve set menus, many with outdoor seating in sight of the beach. Pricing is set per venue and published closer to the date, so confirm it when you book, and book by mid-November.
Getting around on NYE: Don’t drive. The G:link tram runs extended hours on New Year’s Eve (typically until 3am), and it’s by far the easiest way to get between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise if you want to join the bigger crowd for midnight. Uber surge pricing on NYE can hit 3-5x normal rates.
Accommodation During the Festive Season
The Christmas-New Year period is peak season in Broadbeach. Accommodation prices rise 50-100% above normal rates, and minimum stays of 5-7 nights are common.
When to book: For the best selection and reasonable prices, book by September-October. By December, you’re choosing from whatever’s left, often at premium prices.
What to expect: Broadbeach low-season rates start around $180 a night at Meriton Suites, $220 at AVANI and $260 at Sofitel. Over the festive fortnight expect a substantial premium on those figures, minimum-stay requirements, and far less choice the longer you leave it. Rates move year to year, so treat any number you see as indicative and confirm it at the time of booking.
Tip: The week between Christmas and New Year (26 Dec - 1 Jan) is the most expensive. If you have flexibility, arriving on 2 January can save 30-40% as families start heading home.
Queensland school holidays run from 12 December 2026 to 26 January 2027, so Broadbeach stays busy well into January, though rates ease once the Christmas and New Year fortnight is over.
Tips for the Festive Season in Broadbeach
The most popular Christmas and NYE venues sell out 6-8 weeks before the date. Don’t wait until December - you’ll be left with fast food or self-catering.
December and January are peak UV months on the Gold Coast. The UV index regularly exceeds 12 (extreme). Wear 50+ sunscreen, a hat, and rashie at the beach - even on overcast days.
The G:link tram runs extended services on New Year’s Eve. It’s the only sensible way to travel between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise on the night - no parking, no surge pricing, no designated driver needed.
Supermarkets close on Christmas Day and open with reduced hours on Boxing Day. If you’re self-catering, do your Christmas shopping by December 24. Woolworths at Pacific Fair and Coles at Niecon Plaza are the closest options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, two of them, and both are free. Broadbeach runs its own displays off Kurrawa Park: a family show at 8pm and the main display at midnight. Surfers Paradise runs its own pair at the same times and those are visible from Broadbeach beach looking north, but you do not need to travel for them. Kurrawa Park is the best viewing spot, so arrive by 7pm for a good position on the grass.
Yes, a good number do, almost always on a set menu rather than the usual a la carte list. Venues that have run Christmas Day service in recent years include Nineteen at The Star, Koi, Social House and Moo Moo. Pricing is set per venue and published from about October, so confirm it directly rather than relying on a figure quoted anywhere else. Booking is essential - tables fill up by early November.
Book 2-3 months ahead (September-October) for the best selection and prices. By December, availability is very limited and prices are at their peak. Expect minimum stays of 5-7 nights and rates 50-100% higher than normal.
Yes - Christmas through New Year is the busiest time of year in Broadbeach. Accommodation is near capacity, restaurants are fully booked, and the beach is packed. The upside is the atmosphere is fantastic, the weather is warm, and there are events and celebrations throughout the period.
The Broadbeach Christmas Carols are held one evening in mid-December at Kurrawa Park, with kids activities from about 3pm, carols from about 6pm, Santa and fireworks to finish. It is free and non-ticketed. The exact 2026 date is confirmed a few weeks out, so check closer to the date rather than assuming last year’s.
Christmas in Broadbeach runs daily through December in Broadbeach Mall on Victoria Avenue, from around midday to 8:30pm. It includes free festive workshops, gingerbread cookie decorating, Christmas craft, storytime theatre and Santa’s post office, with Santa photo opportunities in the evening from about 5:30pm. The workshops are free but must be booked in advance.
Book Your Festive Season Stay
Don’t leave it too late. Broadbeach accommodation for Christmas and New Year fills up fast.
Written and maintained by a Broadbeach local. I update this guide regularly to keep it accurate.