Pack your dancing shoes, festival attire, and a healthy appetite! May 2025 on the Gold Coast is going to keep you busy. Blues bands are tuning up. Surfers are waxing their boards. Drinks are waiting to be poured at Burleigh’s best venues.
Add a dash of whale spotting and a splash of jet skiing, and you’ve got a calendar full of can’t-miss events Gold Coast visitors will love. It’s time to make May your month of memory-making on the Gold Coast. Are you ready?
Your Ultimate Guide to Unmissable Events Gold Coast Has This May
May on the Gold Coast brings together a vibrant mix of festivals, concerts, live shows, and outdoor adventures. Need a starting point? This is where your calendar begins to fill up.
Blues on Broadbeach
Venue: Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland
Date: May 15–18
One of the biggest free music festivals in Australia, turning Broadbeach into a lively outdoor stage filled with world-class performers. It’s a standout for lovers of Gold Coast music and an unmissable part of the Gold Coast calendar.
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Venue: Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Date: May 7
Lands in Surfers Paradise, offering breathtaking adventure films and inspiring real-world expeditions for those who crave exploration and storytelling.
Valhalore Concert at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Venue: Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland
Date: May 25
Promises an epic night of live music, blending fantasy themes with powerful metal and folk performances. It’s a great night out for fans of diverse live shows that the Gold Coast has on offer.
Surf, Sport, and Sea Adventures Await This May
Active travellers are in for a real treat with the Gold Coast’s line-up of thrilling events this May. It’s the perfect time to dive into the region’s outdoor lifestyle and experience some of the most exciting moments of the season.
Gold Coast Pro
Venue: Burleigh Heads Beach
Date: May 3-13
Bringing world-class surfers to Burleigh Heads Beach. Spectators can soak up the action as some of the biggest names in surfing compete for the crown. The atmosphere is electric, with beachside festivities and pop-up events keeping the energy high.
Whale Watching Gold Coast
Venue: Off the Gold Coast coastline
Date: Late May
Kicks off in late May as humpback whales begin their annual migration. Tours depart daily from spots like Main Beach and Coolangatta, offering a front-row seat to breaching whales and playful calves in the wild. It’s one of the most awe-inspiring experiences on the coast.
Sip, Shop, and Savour Burleigh’s Best
May is the perfect time to explore Burleigh’s vibrant food, fashion, and wine experiences, where relaxed coastal charm meets lively local culture.
Urban Wine Walk Burleigh Heads
Venue: Burleigh Barrels Brewery
Date: Saturday, May 10
A self-guided tasting event held on 10 May 2025, where local bars and restaurants like Burleigh Barrels Brewery transform into cellar doors. Stroll through the heart of Burleigh and sample top Australian wines in a relaxed, coastal setting.
Burleigh Farmers Market
Venue: Burleigh Heads State School
Date: Held every Saturday in May
Offers fresh local produce, gourmet food, arts, crafts, and live music. It’s a relaxed community favourite just a short stroll from the beach.
Birdsnest Burleigh Fashion Parade
Venue: Burleigh Town Hotel
Date: Saturday, May 31
Showcases seasonal styles in a relaxed, beachside setting. Expect fashion, fun, and a great local vibe.
Culture, Film, and Theatre Lovers Are in for a Treat
For travellers seeking inspiration beyond the beach, May brings a rich calendar of cultural experiences across the Gold Coast. It’s the perfect time to tap into the thriving arts and entertainment scene.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Venue: Spotlight Theatre Company, Benowa
Dates: Opening Friday, 9 May 2025
A lively and colourful musical retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his coat of many colours, and his journey from slave to ruler. Packed with catchy songs, energetic performances, and a playful sense of humour, it’s a feel-good show perfect for audiences of all ages.
Love, Loss and What I Wore
Venue: Tugun Community Centre, Tugun
Dates: Friday, 9 May 2025
A heartfelt and humorous play that explores the memories women associate with clothing, family, and relationships. Told through a series of monologues and vignettes, it captures life’s big and small moments with warmth, wit, and honesty. Perfect for audiences who enjoy intimate, story-driven theatre experiences.
Steel Magnolias
Venue: Home of the Arts (HOTA), Surfers Paradise
Dates: Friday, 25 July 2025
A heartwarming and emotional play that explores the bond between a group of Southern women as they navigate life’s triumphs and tragedies. Set in a small-town beauty salon, it’s a moving story about friendship, resilience, and the strength of shared laughter and tears.
Macbeth
Venue: Home of the Arts (HOTA), Surfers Paradise
Dates: Friday, 25 July 2025
Returns to the Gold Coast in 2025 with a bold, modern twist. This reimagined production breathes new life into Shakespeare’s classic tale of ambition, betrayal, and fate. Set against a striking visual backdrop, it promises a gripping night of theatre at HOTA in Surfers Paradise.
Weekend Explorers, These Events Are Worth the Drive
For those keen to explore just beyond Burleigh, a short trip north or south opens up even more exciting opportunities this May and beyond.
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Venue: Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Queensland
Dates: May 22–25
Set along the marina, this event is perfect for lifestyle lovers and boating enthusiasts alike. Discover cutting-edge marine tech, luxury yachts, and family-friendly entertainment at one of the region’s most stylish showcases.
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025
Venue: Surfers Paradise Beach
Dates: August 15-17
Looking ahead to August, this show promises aerial thrills above Surfers Paradise Beach. Expect gravity-defying stunts, elite international pilots, and jaw-dropping flyovers. It’s already shaping up to be one of the standout events Gold Coast will host this year.
Cooly Rocks On
Venue: Coolangatta CBD and Beachfront
Dates: June 4 onward
Just down the coast in Coolangatta, this retro festival bursts into life with classic cars, rockabilly beats, and vintage flair. While it kicks off in early June, it’s worth planning for now, especially if you’re extending your stay.
Make May Your Month for Adventure on the Gold Coast
The calendar fills quickly with events that suit every traveller, from free concerts and art exhibitions to surf comps and wine tastings. Gold Coast entertainment spills into the streets, markets, and beaches.
Moreover, the mix of live shows Gold Coast is known for blends seamlessly with outdoor adventures and seasonal highlights. This is your chance to experience the best things to do on the Gold Coast, including music, food, fashion, and film. So, plan, take your pick, and make May a month of unforgettable moments.
Stay Close to the Action with Burleigh Surf Apartments
You won’t need to travel far to experience the best of May on the Gold Coast. When you’re packing your calendar, the Gold Coast is known for staying close to the action. Burleigh Surf Apartments places you right in the centre of it all.
With so many headline events Gold Coast is hosting throughout May, having self-contained accommodation that’s comfortable, modern, and well-located means you can focus on enjoying every moment. With panoramic ocean views, family-friendly facilities, and unbeatable beachside access, Burleigh Surf is the perfect home base for your Gold Coast adventure.
Book your stay today!
Image Credit: Australian Musician
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