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: 14-16 August 2026 – 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 |
| Groundwater Country Music Festival | 16-18 October 2026 | Free outdoor stages | High |
| Gold Coast 500 Supercars | October 2026 | Ticketed | Very high |
| Broadbeach Beachfront Markets | 1st & 3rd Friday | Free entry | Moderate |
| New Year’s Eve | 31 December 2026 | Free (public areas) | Very high |
| The Star events (concerts, shows) | Year-round | Ticketed | Varies |
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.
Groundwater Country Music Festival – 16-18 October 2026
Groundwater Country Music Festival transforms Broadbeach into a country music hub for three days each October. Like Blues on Broadbeach, it’s largely free – multiple outdoor stages across Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach Town Square, and the foreshore.
The vibe: Country music fans, good food, great atmosphere. The event has grown significantly in recent years and now draws artists from across Australia and internationally.
See our Groundwater Festival guide for full details.
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 Art and Craft Markets run on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am to 2pm, at Kurrawa Park foreshore. Free entry, with local artisans and food stalls. Check exact dates before visiting as schedules can change.
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.