Events · 2026 Calendar
Broadbeach Events 2026
From Blues on Broadbeach to Groundwater Festival - the complete guide to what’s on in Broadbeach in 2026.
Broadbeach has one of the best event calendars of any suburb on the Gold Coast. Major music festivals, free street events, weekly markets, and world-class sporting events all happen within or near the suburb throughout the year.
Some events are major drawcards in their own right - Blues on Broadbeach brings 100,000+ visitors across four days in May. Others are local rhythms worth knowing about, like the fortnightly Friday markets or the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club’s regular competitions.
Here’s the full 2026 events calendar for Broadbeach.
Key 2026 Events
- Blues on Broadbeach: held 14-17 May 2026; returns 13-16 May 2027 - free outdoor music festival
- Gold Coast Marathon: 4-5 July 2026 - the course traces the coastal strip past Broadbeach
- Pacific Airshow: held 14-16 August 2026; confirmed for 2027 and 2028, dates to be announced - aerobatics over Surfers Paradise Beach, visible along the coast
- Groundwater Country Music Festival: 16-18 October 2026 - free and non-ticketed, throughout the Broadbeach streets
- Gold Coast 500 Supercars: 23-25 October 2026 - Surfers Paradise street circuit, opening round of the Supercars Finals
- Pan Pacific Masters Games: 6-15 November 2026 - 16,000+ athletes, party hub at the Broadbeach Convention Centre
- Broadbeach Art and Craft Markets: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am to 2pm, at Kurrawa Park
- New Year’s Eve: major fireworks celebration at Broadbeach foreshore
| Event | Date | Cost | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blues on Broadbeach | Held 14-17 May 2026; next 13-16 May 2027 | Free | Very high |
| Gold Coast World Masters Golf | 11-17 October 2026 | Entry from $1,565 | High |
| Groundwater Country Music Festival | 16-18 October 2026 | Free outdoor stages | High |
| Gold Coast 500 Supercars | 23-25 October 2026 | Ticketed | Very high |
| The Coastal Markets, Broadbeach (formerly Art & Craft Markets) | 1st & 3rd Sunday, 8am-2pm | Free entry | Moderate |
| Pan Pacific Masters Games | 6-15 November 2026 | Entry by sport | High |
| New Year’s Eve | 31 December 2026 | Free (public areas) | Very high |
| The Star events (concerts, shows) | Year-round | Ticketed | Varies |
What’s On in Broadbeach This Weekend (and the Next Five)
The weekend-by-weekend view, checked 10 October 2026. Every event below is in or next to Broadbeach; free events are marked in their own guides.
| Weekend | What’s on |
|---|---|
| Sat 10 - Sun 11 Oct | Gold Coast World Masters Golf begins Sunday 11 Oct (to 17 Oct), with Meriton Broadbeach as the event hotel. Last Aria sailing whale cruise 11 Oct. |
| Fri 16 - Sun 18 Oct | Groundwater Country Music Festival - free, non-ticketed stages across Broadbeach all weekend. Markets Sunday 18 Oct. One of the busiest weekends of the year: book accommodation now. |
| Fri 23 - Sun 25 Oct | Gold Coast 500 Supercars on the Surfers Paradise street circuit, 3 km north - ticketed, with road closures. Last Kokomo whale cruise 25 Oct. |
| Sat 31 Oct - Sun 1 Nov | Markets Sunday 1 Nov. Last Sea World and Spirit of Gold Coast whale cruises of 2026 (1 Nov). |
| Fri 6 - Sun 8 Nov | Pan Pacific Masters Games opens 6 Nov (to 15 Nov) - 16,000+ athletes, with Pan Pacs Central at the convention centre in Broadbeach. |
| Fri 13 - Sun 15 Nov | Final weekend of the Pan Pacific Masters Games (to 15 Nov). Markets Sunday 15 Nov, 8am-2pm, Kurrawa Park. |
Every weekend: live music at The Star and the Oracle Boulevard bars - see our live music guide. The Broadbeach market (now The Coastal Markets) runs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, 8am-2pm in Kurrawa Park. For every other market on the coast, see Gold Coast Markets This Weekend.
Blues on Broadbeach - May 2026
Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia’s largest free outdoor music festivals, held across Broadbeach Town Square, Oracle Boulevard, and multiple stages throughout the precinct. The 2026 festival ran 14-17 May and the dates for next year are already locked in: Blues on Broadbeach returns 13-16 May 2027.
What it is: Four days of live blues, roots, and soul music across 8+ outdoor stages. 100,000+ visitors across the weekend. Local restaurants and bars extend their trading hours and create special menus for the event.
Accommodation tip: Book accommodation months ahead for Blues on Broadbeach - this is one of the busiest weekends of the year in Broadbeach. If you’re planning to attend, book now.
Tips for attending: Arrive early to claim a good spot on the main stage lawn. Bring a picnic blanket and comfortable shoes. The event is free - food and drinks are from the many stalls and nearby restaurants.
See our full Blues on Broadbeach guide for the complete lineup and tips.
Gold Coast World Masters Golf - 11-17 October 2026
The 31st Gold Coast World Masters runs for a week in the middle of October, and Broadbeach is where most of the field sleeps. It is an amateur championship: four rounds of single stableford across three courses, with more than ten divisions and grades so entrants play against similar age and handicap. Two rounds are at RACV Royal Pines at Benowa, with one each at Links Hope Island and Palmer Gold Coast at Robina.
The Broadbeach connection is direct. Meriton Suites Broadbeach is the featured event accommodation and the optional transfer package collects from Surf Parade each morning, so a week of golfers is based in the suburb rather than out near the courses.
Why it matters if you are visiting: the championship finishes on 17 October, which means its last two days overlap with the opening of Groundwater Country Music Festival. Mid-October accommodation in Broadbeach is tighter than most visitors expect.
See our full Gold Coast World Masters Golf guide for the courses, measured distances from Broadbeach and what entry covers.
Groundwater Country Music Festival - 16-18 October 2026
Groundwater Country Music Festival turns Broadbeach into a country music precinct from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October 2026. Every show is free and non-ticketed, across four main outdoor stages (the Kurrawa Big Top, Surf Parade, Broadbeach Mall and Unplugged at Oracle Boulevard) plus a dozen partner venues. More than 60 acts are on the program and the festival is forecast to draw more than 63,500 attendances.
Program highlights: James Blundell, Beccy Cole and Lane Pittman on Friday night; Kaylee Bell, The Pigs and The Wolfe Brothers on Saturday; Kasey Chambers closing Surf Parade on Sunday from 6:45pm, with Kingswood playing the final Big Top set at 7:45pm. INXS co-founder Andrew Farriss plays The Star’s Lawn on Sunday at 4pm, and the Bluegrass Breakfast runs at The Loose Moose on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Road closures: 6:30am Thursday 15 October to 1pm Monday 19 October. Take the tram.
See our Groundwater Festival guide for the full set times for every stage, parking and where to stay.
Pan Pacific Masters Games - 6-15 November 2026
Ten days, more than 40 sports and over 16,000 athletes - the biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games takes over the whole Gold Coast in November, and its social heart is right here in Broadbeach. Pan Pacs Central, the games’ entertainment hub, runs six themed party nights at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, headlined by The Screaming Jets on opening night and The Potbelleez to close.
The vibe: thousands of everyday athletes aged 30-plus celebrating every evening within walking distance of the Broadbeach dining precinct. Distance running is held at Kurrawa Beach, with the ocean swim next door at Mermaid Beach.
See our Pan Pacific Masters Games guide for the full lineup, sport dates and where to stay.
Regular Events - Year-Round
Broadbeach Art and Craft Markets (1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am to 2pm, at Kurrawa Park): Local artisans, food stalls and community atmosphere on the Kurrawa Park foreshore. Free entry. A great reason to plan your visit around the first or third Sunday of the month.
The Star Gold Coast events: The Star regularly hosts concerts, comedy nights, boxing matches, and entertainment events in its venue spaces. Check The Star’s events calendar for what’s on during your visit.
Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club events: Kurrawa SLSC hosts nippers competitions, surf carnivals, and club events on weekends throughout summer and autumn. These are free to watch and give a genuine sense of Gold Coast beach culture.
Gold Coast Convention Centre (GCCEC): Major conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows run throughout the year. If you’re in Broadbeach for a conference, the suburb has everything you need within walking distance.
Tips for Broadbeach Events
Blues on Broadbeach (May) and Groundwater (October) are the two biggest events - accommodation fills 2-3 months ahead. NYE also books out. If your dates coincide with these events, book now.
During Blues and Groundwater, Broadbeach gets packed and parking is difficult. The G:link tram from Surfers Paradise, Helensvale, or anywhere on the network is far easier - and runs extended hours during major events.
The Star hosts regular ticketed entertainment - concerts, comedy, boxing - that can significantly enhance your Broadbeach stay. Worth checking what’s on during your dates at thestargoldcoast.com.au.
Blues on Broadbeach and Groundwater are free - which means no assigned seating. Arrive 30-45 minutes before headline acts to claim a good position on the main stage lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Major 2026 events include Blues on Broadbeach (held 14-17 May; back 13-16 May 2027), Groundwater Country Music Festival (16-18 October, free and non-ticketed), the Gold Coast 500 Supercars (23-25 October, Surfers Paradise), the Pan Pacific Masters Games (6-15 November, with its entertainment hub at the Broadbeach Convention Centre), and New Year’s Eve fireworks. Regular events include the Broadbeach Art and Craft Markets (1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at Kurrawa Park).
Blues on Broadbeach 2026 was held 14-17 May 2026 across Broadbeach Town Square, Oracle Boulevard, and multiple outdoor stages. The 2027 festival runs 13-16 May 2027. It’s one of Australia’s largest free music festivals, attracting 100,000+ visitors. Book accommodation months ahead if you’re planning to attend.
Yes - many of Broadbeach’s best events are free. Blues on Broadbeach (May) and Groundwater Country Music Festival (October) are both free outdoor festivals. The Broadbeach The Broadbeach Art and Craft Markets run on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am to 2pm, at Kurrawa Park, also free entry. Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club events are free to watch.
The Broadbeach market - now The Coastal Markets, formerly the Broadbeach Art and Craft Markets - runs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am to 2pm, at Kurrawa Park. Free entry, with local artisans and food stalls. Check exact dates before visiting as schedules can change.
As at 10 October 2026: the Gold Coast World Masters Golf begins on Sunday 11 October (to 17 October), with Meriton Broadbeach as the event hotel. Coming up: the free Groundwater Country Music Festival 16-18 October (markets on Sunday 18 October), the Gold Coast 500 Supercars 23-25 October and the Pan Pacific Masters Games 6-15 November. The Broadbeach market (The Coastal Markets) runs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, 8am-2pm in Kurrawa Park.
Stay During a Broadbeach Event
Book ahead - accommodation fills fast during Blues on Broadbeach and Groundwater Festival.
Written and maintained by a Broadbeach local. I update this guide regularly to keep it accurate.