Unmissable Gold Coast Events To Kick Off 2022

Want to know what makes Gold Coast events that little bit extra? Well, due to our incredible climate (300 days of sunshine a year, anyone?) we specialise in outdoor events where fresh air and sunshine always feature on the line up. Between the months of January and April, there are some epic events scheduled in gorgeous Gold Coast  locations and venues. Whether you want to dance under the stars at a music festival or grab a spot on the sand to see some Surf Life Saving legends in action, we’ve got it going on.  Add these unmissable musical, cultural and sporting events to your social calendar in 2022 for a rocking start to the year.

TASTE FESTIVAL GOLD COAST | January 20 – 23

If your New Year’s resolutions can wait another week or so, hot foot it to Taste Festival at the Southport Yacht Club. Bites and booze are the centre piece of this epicurean event, which is taking place over four jam-packed days (20th – 23rd January). You’ll sample gourmet goods from local providores, plus delicious drops from boutique wineries and craft spirit specialists. Your ticket – a ‘walk and fork’ style experience – includes a glass of bubbles, three hour tasting session and three gourmet food plates. All while listening to live music on the lawn and enjoying a spectacular waterfront vantage point.

FOR THE LOVE | February 19

Many of use have sorely missed dancing over the past two years. Now music festivals are back, it’s time to cut loose and we know just the place to do it: For The Love. Dance and electro artists like Dom Dolla, Crooked Colours, Mallrat, Allday, Running Touch and many others will provide the ultimate summer playlist, live and loud at Doug Jennings Park on The Spit, Main Beach. With the Broadwater providing the quintessential Gold Coast backdrop, things are bound to heat up at this epic summer spectacle.

SUMMERSALT | February 20

Before we say farewell to summer, there’s another major music festival hitting the southern end of the Gold Coast. Featuring an eye-popping line-up of homegrown talent, Summersalt will welcome the likes of Missy Higgins, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, Birds of Tokyo, The Waifs and Talulah to its new home at Queen Elizabeth Park in Coolangatta on 20th February. This beachside festival is completely family friendly, and while music is obviously the main event, festival-goers can also peruse local market stalls, sample food trucks, sip on cool beverages and let the kids drain their batteries at various activities and the Little Nippers Kids Zones. Tickets are sold out for now, but keep an eye out for any future releases, or if you can get close enough to the action with a spot on the sand, enjoy the sweet sounds from afar.

EUROVISION – AUSTRALIA DECIDES | February 25 – 26

Music lovers, this one’s for you! And chances are you’re already well acquainted with this internationally-renowned event. Eurovision – Australia Decides is returning to Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre for two dazzling days of live performances from 11 incredibly talented Aussie artists (including the new TikTok wildcard entry). From electro to opera, pop and hip hop, there’s no genre left behind in this star-studded musical extravaganza, headlined by Norwegian trio KEiiNO. Spectators will swoon over vocals from Charley, Seann Miley Moore, Voyager, Jude York, Sheldon Riley, G-Nation, Andrew Lambrou, PAULINI, Jaguar Jonze and Isiah Firebrace as they battle it out to represent Australia at Eurovision in Italy later this year. And the best part? The audience and Australian public will decide who is crowned the victor during the live finals!

ROOTS FESTIVAL | February 26

How do you fancy a summer’s afternoon by the lake overlooking the Surfers Paradise skyline, being serenaded by some of Australia’s leading artists, while grazing, sipping and soaking up the good vibes? If this all sounds like your perfect Saturday, then look no further than the Roots Festival, heading to Home of the Arts’ Outdoor Stage on 26th February. Blues, soul, reggae and folk come together for the ultimate summer musical experience at the Coast’s premier (and world-class!) event precinct. Catch Jade Soul, Heavy Wax, Bullhorn, Karl S Williams Band and Cheap Fakes as they take to the outdoor stage, and be sure to check out the line up of food and drink options too.

BOWLZILLA | March 12

Debuting as an Olympic sport last year (with a Gold Coast local taking out gold), skateboarding is well and truly having its moment in the spotlight. Now, the country’s biggest skateboarding event is hitting our city on 12th March. Strap in for some seriously fierce and heart-stopping competition in the bowl for Bowlzilla – the Australian Park Skating Championships, as riders risk it for the biscuit (AKA taking home gold) at Elanora Skatepark. Whether you’re a newcomer wanting to immerse yourself in skate culture, or a veteran on the board, all are welcome to spectate this electrifying competition (there’s women’s, open, under 16s and masters categories), plus enjoy learn-to-ride clinics, live music and easy eats.

AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFESAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS | April 2 – 10

Load up the beach bag, esky and throw in your tent – the annual Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships are returning to the Gold Coast for a massive week of beachside action on the sand and in the water. Dubbed ‘The Aussies’, this spectacular display of sporting prowess will be held in different locations at Broadbeach, North Kirra and Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Clubs. 6,000 athletes from all over the country will proudly wear their club colours as they compete in over 480 events. Keep an eye out for local surf life saving royalty like Courtney Hancock and Ali Day.

*Some events currently require attendees to be fully vaccinated in line with Queensland Government regulations. See each event website for more information and terms and conditions.

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