Sunshine Coast Festivals

The Sunshine Coast isn’t just beaches and hinterland—it’s a vibrant, year-round destination for music lovers, foodies, art enthusiasts, and families. From iconic music festivals and cultural celebrations to culinary showcases, performance art, and community gatherings, the region’s festival calendar offers something for everyone.

Whether you're dancing under the stars at a hinterland blues fest, enjoying local eats at a beachside food market, or soaking up jazz, surf culture, or wearable art—every event captures the spirit, creativity, and diversity of the Sunshine Coast.

With stunning natural backdrops, welcoming locals, and events spanning coast, country, and creative corners, the Sunshine Coast is your go-to for unforgettable festival experiences.

🗓️ Plan your trip, pick your vibe, and discover what’s on below.

The Noosa Festival of Surfing is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic and community-driven beach festivals, blending surf culture, music, and coastal lifestyle experiences. Set in the stunning Noosa Biosphere and World Surfing Reserve, it’s Australia’s largest longboard celebration, featuring events like the Logger Pro, HPFC, Twin Fin, Old Mal, and Noserider competitions.

Beyond the waves, you’ll find live music, surf films, a vibrant beach bar, and the fan-favourite Surfing Dog Championships. It’s a family-friendly coastal event that attracts surf lovers, holidaymakers, and festival-goers chasing laid-back vibes and beachside entertainment.

📍 Location: Noosa Biosphere Reserve & Noosa World Surfing Reserve
🗓️ Dates: 13th – 22nd March 2026 (held annually in March)
🎟️ Price: Free entry (some ticketed events)
👥 Best for: Surf enthusiasts, families, beach lovers, culture seekers, dog fans
🌐 Website: noosafestivalofsurfing.com
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Woodford Folk Festival is one of Australia’s largest and most iconic cultural celebrations, set in the scenic hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. This multi-day event blends folk and contemporary music with a rich tapestry of theatre, dance, film, workshops, and street performances, creating a transformative festival experience for all ages.

Held annually between Christmas and New Year, the festival draws music lovers, creative souls, and cultural explorers seeking a unique fusion of arts, community, and nature. Expect diverse acts, immersive wellbeing spaces, and a village-style festival atmosphere set in the lush landscapes of Woodfordia.

📍 Location: 87 Woodrow Rd, Woodford QLD 4514, Australia
🗓️ Dates: 27 Dec 2024 – 1 Jan 2025
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (varies by day or festival pass)
👥 Best for: Cultural travellers, families, music fans, arts & wellbeing seekers
🌐 Website: woodfordfolkfestival.com
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Big Pineapple Music Festival is one of the Sunshine Coast’s biggest live music events, held annually at the iconic Big Pineapple site in Woombye. Showcasing a high-energy lineup of top Australian and international artists, the festival spans multiple stages and offers a full day of non-stop music, food stalls, and festival vibes.

Known for its diverse music genres — from indie and rock to hip hop and electronic — this open-air concert attracts thousands of fans every year looking for an epic day out in a lush, sub-tropical setting. It’s a must-do for music lovers, road-trippers, and festival-goers chasing good tunes and great energy.

📍 Location: 76 Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye QLD 4559, Australia
🗓️ Dates: November 2025 (exact date TBA)
🎟️ Price: Ticketed event (see website for pass options)
👥 Best for: Music fans, friend groups, road-trippers, party lovers
🌐 Website: bigpineapplemusicfestival.com
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival offers a refined blend of classical and contemporary sounds, set against the region’s most intimate and inspiring backdrops — from bushland gardens to beachside stages and heritage venues. This multi-day cultural event brings together acclaimed Australian and international musicians for a program of elevated live performances, conversation, and connection.

Held across multiple venues throughout the Sunshine Coast, the festival is perfect for music aficionados, culture lovers, and experience-seekers looking for a unique artistic escape that merges music with nature, architecture, and community.

📍 Locations: Coolum Civic Centre, Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, St Peter’s Church Buderim, The J Theatre Noosa
🗓️ Dates: 6 – 9 June 2025
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (per concert or series)
👥 Best for: Classical music fans, art lovers, cultural travellers, intimate concert seekers
🌐 Website: sunshinecoastchambermusicfestival.com
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

Noosa Alive! is the Sunshine Coast’s premier multi-arts festival, offering ten vibrant days of theatre, live music, dance, literature, film, visual arts, and gourmet food experiences. Held across iconic Noosa venues — from The J Theatre to Noosa Main Beach, scenic parks, and local galleries — it’s a cultural celebration that attracts art lovers, families, and foodies alike.

Each July, the festival transforms Noosa into a dynamic creative hub, where world-class performances meet intimate community events. Whether you're catching a sunset beach concert, attending a literary talk, or indulging in a chef-led culinary experience, Noosa Alive! delivers inspiration, sophistication, and pure Sunshine Coast spirit.

📍 Locations: The J Theatre, Noosa Main Beach, parks, and galleries
🗓️ Dates: 18 – 27 July 2025
🎟️ Price: Ticketed per event (some free community programs)
👥 Best for: Arts enthusiasts, cultural tourists, gourmet travellers, families
🌐 Website: noosaalive.com.au
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Australian Wearable Art Festival is a visually stunning fusion of fashion, art, and performance, held right here on the Sunshine Coast. Recognized as Australia’s premier wearable art showcase, this one-of-a-kind event transforms a 27-metre catwalk into a living gallery, where designers, sculptors, and artists unveil bold, avant-garde creations that blur the lines between costume and couture.

Hosted at the Novotel Twin Waters, the 2026 festival features $15,000 in prize money, immersive performances, and a high-fashion-meets-fantasy atmosphere — making it a bucket-list cultural experience for art lovers, creatives, and style-savvy festival-goers.

📍 Location: Novotel Twin Waters, Sunshine Coast QLD, Australia
🗓️ Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (see official site for details)
👥 Best for: Art and fashion lovers, designers, creatives, culture seekers
🌐 Website: australianwearableart.com.au
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Gympie Music Muster is Australia’s favourite charity-driven country music festival, delivering a rich mix of country, rock, folk, and bluegrass across a full week of live performances, bush camping, and community spirit. Held in the picturesque Amamoor Creek State Forest, this iconic Sunshine Coast hinterland event blends authentic Aussie culture with a massive musical lineup that spans generations and genres.

More than just a music event, the Muster supports local charities and offers a family-friendly, all-ages camping experience with food trucks, market stalls, workshops, and a uniquely warm festival atmosphere.

📍 Location: Amamoor Creek Camping Area, QLD
🗓️ Dates: 22 – 31 August 2026
🎟️ Price:
• Adult (18+) – $450
• Teen (13–17) – $205
• Children 12 & under – Free
👥 Best for: Country fans, families, campers, charity supporters, folk & bluegrass lovers
🌐 Website: muster.com.au
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Noosa Jazz Festival is a celebration of world-class jazz, gourmet fare, and coastal elegance, held across intimate venues and open-air spaces in Noosa Heads. Blending smooth sounds with scenic surrounds, the festival features performances by renowned Australian and international jazz artists, complemented by local food and wine experiences.

Set against the backdrop of Noosa’s lush parks, boutique theatres, and iconic beachside vibe, this event attracts jazz lovers, cultural tourists, and couples seeking sophisticated entertainment in a relaxed, sun-soaked setting.

📍 Locations: The J Theatre, Majestic Theatre, and outdoor venues around Noosa Heads
🗓️ Dates: 29 August – 7 September
🎟️ Price: Ticketed per performance or series
👥 Best for: Jazz fans, couples, wine & food lovers, cultural travellers
🌐 Website: noosajazzclub.com
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Mitchell Creek Rock ’n’ Blues Festival is a boutique, open-air music experience set on private hinterland property in Kandanga Creek, deep in the Sunshine Coast’s scenic inland. Featuring a powerhouse lineup of blues, rock, and roots artists, the festival delivers three days of non-stop live music, camping, and community vibes.

Known for its intimate crowd size, natural amphitheatre setting, and authentic Aussie music atmosphere, Mitchell Creek is a must-attend for fans of independent festivals, laid-back energy, and raw, soulful soundscapes.

📍 Location: 3 Mitchell Creek Rd, Kandanga Creek QLD 4570, Australia
🗓️ Dates: 19–21 September 2025
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (camping options available)
👥 Best for: Blues & rock fans, campers, music road-trippers, roots lovers
🌐 Website: mitchellcreekrocknbluesfest.com.au
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Rangebow Festival is a vibrant, multi-day celebration of diversity, inclusion, and creativity, held across the charming Sunshine Coast Hinterland towns of Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton, and Maleny. Featuring a colourful blend of live music, drag shows, visual arts, food events, and community-led conversations, the festival embraces identity, self-expression, and connection.

Known for its inclusive programming and joyful atmosphere, Rangebow welcomes locals, LGBTQIA+ communities, allies, and curious travellers looking for a heartfelt, progressive festival experience in a breathtaking mountain setting.

📍 Locations: Venues across Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton & Maleny
🗓️ Dates: October 2025 (exact dates TBA)
🎟️ Price: Mostly free events; some ticketed performances
👥 Best for: LGBTQIA+ communities, creatives, families, conscious travellers, allies
🌐 Website: therangebowfestival.org
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Maleny Music Festival is a grassroots celebration of folk, roots, and world music, held in the heart of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Set in the charming town of Maleny, this community-driven event features a welcoming mix of live performances, artist workshops, artisan market stalls, and family-friendly entertainment.

With its laid-back vibe, scenic location, and focus on original music and cultural connection, the festival draws music lovers, families, and travellers seeking a more intimate, meaningful festival experience.

📍 Location: 38 Maleny Stanley River Rd, Maleny QLD 4552, Australia
🗓️ Dates: November 2025 (exact dates TBA)
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (day and weekend passes available)
👥 Best for: Folk & roots fans, families, conscious travellers, creative communities
🌐 Website: malenymusicfestival.com
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Sunshine Coast Marathon is one of Queensland’s most scenic and community-driven running festivals, attracting athletes, families, and first-timers to the coastline of Alexandra Headland each August. With a certified AIMS-accredited course, the event features a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and family fun run, offering something for runners of all ages and fitness levels.

Set along the sun-soaked beaches and surfside boulevards of the Sunshine Coast, the event blends competitive racing with community impact, supporting local charities through every stride.

📍 Location: Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, Sunshine Coast QLD
🗓️ Dates: Annually in August
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (varies by race)
👥 Best for: Runners, families, fitness enthusiasts, charity supporters
🌐 Website: sunshinecoastmarathon.com.au
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps

The Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival is a 10-day culinary celebration spotlighting the region’s vibrant food scene, local producers, and top chefs. As part of The Curated Plate program, the festival serves up a rich array of Asian-inspired cuisine, cultural dining experiences, and immersive food events across the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.

Expect a fusion of traditional flavours and modern techniques, with pop-up restaurants, long table lunches, and tasting events hosted in picturesque coastal and hinterland venues. It’s a must-attend for foodies, culinary travellers, and anyone passionate about sustainable, locally sourced dining.

📍 Location: Various venues across the Sunshine Coast Biosphere, QLD
🗓️ Dates: August 2025
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (per event)
👥 Best for: Food lovers, cultural travellers, chefs, sustainable food advocates
🌐 Website: thecuratedplate.com.au
🗺️ Map: View on Google Maps