Sunshine Coast Festivals

The Sunshine Coast comes alive with a vibrant festival calendar that stretches across beaches, hinterland towns, and buzzing coastal hubs. From open-air music nights and gourmet food celebrations to surf culture, art, and family-friendly community events, every festival reflects the region’s creativity and relaxed coastal spirit. Plan your getaway around the rhythm, flavour, and colour that make this destination unforgettable year-round.

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

Tucked into the lush Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Long Listen feels intimate, thoughtful, and quietly magical. Expect candle-lit concerts, experimental sounds, and conversations that draw you in. This boutique, artist-led festival blends world-class music with small-town charm, creating a deeply personal cultural experience travellers genuinely remember. 

📍 Locations: 1 Main Street, Palmwoods, Queensland, 4555
🗓️ Dates: 2 – 5 October, 2026
🎟️ Price: From approx. $35 single tickets; festival passes from ~$150 (varies by event)
👥 Best for: Classical music fans, art lovers, cultural travellers, intimate concert seekers

Each July, Noosa comes alive with a vibrant ten-day celebration of theatre, music, dance, literature, film, visual arts, and gourmet dining. Set across iconic venues from The J Theatre to Main Beach, Noosa Alive! blends world-class performances with relaxed coastal charm—perfect for art lovers, families, and food-focused travellers.

📍 Locations: The J Theatre, Noosa Main Beach, parks, and galleries
🗓️ Dates: 18 – 27 July 2026
🎟️ Price: Ticketed per event (some free community programs)
👥 Best for: Arts enthusiasts, cultural tourists, gourmet travellers, families

A spectacular blend of fashion, art, and performance, the Australian Wearable Art Festival transforms a 27-metre runway into a living gallery of bold, avant-garde design. Held at Novotel Twin Waters, this Sunshine Coast showcase pairs high-fashion fantasy with immersive performances—an unmissable experience for creative, style-loving travellers.

📍 Location: 270 Ocean Drive, Twin Waters, Queensland, 4564
🗓️ Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (see official site for details)
👥 Best for: Art and fashion lovers, designers, creatives, culture seekers

Set beneath the trees of Amamoor Creek State Forest, the Gympie Music Muster brings a week of country, rock, folk, and bluegrass to life. This charity-driven festival blends bush camping, big-name acts, markets, and community spirit—delivering an authentic, family-friendly Aussie music experience on the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

📍 Location: Amamoor Creek Road, Amamoor Creek, Queensland, 4570
🗓️ Dates: 27 - 30, August 2026
🎟️ Price:
• Adult (18+) – $450
• Teen (13–17) – $205
• Children 12 & under – Free

The Noosa Jazz Festival fills Noosa with smooth rhythms and a relaxed coastal vibe. Jazz lovers, couples, and holidaymakers gather across riverside venues, theatres, and restaurants to enjoy world-class performances. The overall atmosphere is vibrant yet intimate, blending sophisticated live music with Noosa’s easygoing holiday charm.

📍 Location: The J Theatre, Majestic Theatre
🗓️ Dates: 28 August – 6 September, 2026
🎟️ Price: Ticketed per performance or series
👥 Best for: Jazz fans, couples, wine & food lovers, cultural travellers

Hidden in the rolling hills of Kandanga Creek, Mitchell Creek Rock ’n’ Blues Festival delivers three days of raw blues, rock, and roots in a natural amphitheatre setting. With intimate crowds, on-site camping, and laid-back hinterland vibes, it’s a soulful escape for lovers of authentic, independent music festivals.

📍 Location: 3 Mitchell Creek Rd, Kandanga Creek QLD 4570
🗓️ Dates: 18–20 September 2026
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (camping options available)
👥 Best for: Blues & rock fans, campers, music road-trippers, roots lovers

Bursting with colour across the hinterland towns of Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton, and Maleny, Rangebow Festival celebrates diversity through music, drag, art, and community events. Warm, inclusive, and joyfully expressive, it invites LGBTQIA+ communities, allies, and curious travellers to connect in a stunning mountain setting.

📍 Locations: Venues across Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton & Maleny
🗓️ Dates: October 2026 (exact dates TBA)
🎟️ Price: Mostly free events; some ticketed performances
👥 Best for: LGBTQIA+ communities, creatives, families, conscious travellers, allies

Set in the lush hinterland town of Maleny, the Maleny Music Festival offers a relaxed blend of folk, roots, and world music. With live performances, workshops, artisan markets, and a strong community spirit, it attracts families and music lovers seeking an intimate, feel-good festival experience.

📍 Location: 38 Maleny Stanley River Rd, Maleny QLD 4552
🗓️ Dates: November 2026 (exact dates TBA)
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (day and weekend passes available)
👥 Best for: Folk & roots fans, families, conscious travellers, creative communities

Runners greet the sunrise along Alexandra Headland’s glittering coastline at the EVA Air Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival — a high-energy weekend where ocean views meet community spirit. With marathon, half, 10K, 5K and family runs, this AIMS-accredited event blends fast coastal courses, cheering crowds, and a welcoming festival atmosphere for all ages. 

📍 Location: Alexandra Headland, Queensland,4572
🗓️ Dates: 2nd August, 2026
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (varies by race)
👥 Best for: Runners, families, fitness enthusiasts, charity supporters

Across ten flavour-packed days, the Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival serves up vibrant Asian-inspired cuisine, chef-led events, and immersive dining experiences. Part of The Curated Plate, it blends traditional flavours with modern creativity in stunning coastal and hinterland venues—perfect for food lovers and culinary travellers.

📍 Location: Sunshine Coast hinterland
🗓️ Dates:  July 24–August 2, 2026
🎟️ Price: Ticketed (per event)
👥 Best for: Food lovers, cultural travelers, chefs, sustainable food advocates

One of Australia’s longest-running surf celebrations brings pros, novices, dog surfing and beach culture together. Expect sun-soaked waves, laid-back parties and an authentic coastal atmosphere that defines the region’s surf soul. 

📍 Location: Park Road, Noosa Heads, Queensland, 4567
🗓️ Dates: 13 – 22 March, 2026
🎟️ Price: Free entry
👥 Best for: Surf enthusiasts, families, beach lovers, culture seekers