School Holiday Activities
Check out the daily schedule here and get ready for a school holiday experience like no other.
Ready to book? Explore our range of family accommodation options.
Novotel Surfers Paradise has your school holiday activities sorted! Prepare for a school holiday adventure jam-packed with fun and excitement right here at the hotel.
We’ve got a fantastic lineup of activities that will keep kids aged 4-12 grinning from ear to ear. From face painting to unleashing their inner artists with cookie decoration, there’s something for every little creative spirit. Plus, little imaginations can run wild with our incredible balloon twisting sessions. And what’s a holiday without a sweet treat? Enjoy free Zooper Doopers to cool down under the summer sun.
And as the day winds down, we’ve got even more excitement in store! Enjoy the festive Beach Christmas Carols, explore the vibrant Twilight Beachfront Markets, and ring in the New Year with fireworks on the beach. It’s the ultimate holiday experience for the whole family!
Check out the daily schedule here and get ready for a school holiday experience like no other.
Ready to book? Explore our range of family accommodation options.
The annual BLEACH* Festival will return to the Gold Coast (running from in August 2025 – dates TBC). First Light, the opening event, promises a captivating fusion of dance, fire, and song. As the sun rises, gather on the shore to witness mesmerizing performances by local Aboriginal dancers and choirs, accompanied by Traditional Owners. A traditional smoking ceremony will blend with the sunrise, marking the commencement of this celebration of contemporary arts.
Eager for further cultural exploration? Explore the southern Gold Coast with the Indigenous local’s guide to the southern Gold Coast.
Save the date for Saturday 31 May 2025.
Get the best seat in the house and make a weekend of it. Book an Ocean View room at Novotel Surfers Paradise and get front row tickets to the Gold Coast’s very own international fireworks competition. Experience SeaFire 2025 from the comfort and luxury of your very own private balcony.
SeaFire is a free family-friendly event produced by City of Gold Coast. For more information, visit SeaFire 2025 on Facebook.
Get ready to step back in time as Cooly Rocks On returns for 2025. Held from 4-8 June Cooly Rocks On celebrates the motors, music, and lifestyle of yesteryear! Recently honored with a GOLD award in the Major Festivals & Events category at the Queensland Tourism Awards, Cooly Rocks On proudly holds the title of Australia’s favorite nostalgia festival.
Coolangatta will be transformed into a vintage paradise with over 900 remarkable cars adorning the streets, making it one of Australia’s most esteemed Show ‘N’ Shine displays. Immerse yourself in the world of hot rods, custom vehicles, and lowbrow art in Kustomville. Explore the impressive array of vehicles, scooters, bikes, and more at Goodwin Park, and, if you’re a dedicated motor enthusiast, showcase your cherished vehicle or join one of the two Car Runs.
Put on your dancing shoes and groove to the timeless tunes of rock ‘n’ roll, swing, rockabilly, and tribute artists from around the world.
G:Link/Bus – 1hr 15
Driving – 32km / 45 minutes
Get ready to celebrate the 45th edition of the Gold Coast Marathon!
This globally acclaimed international marathon draws participants of all ages and skill levels from around the world, with eight races to choose from.
Renowned for its flat, fast, and picturesque course that meanders along the city’s iconic surf beaches and the stunning Broadwater, the Gold Coast Marathon is further enhanced by the ideal winter running conditions it offers. These conditions feature low humidity, gentle winds, and mild temperatures.
If you plan on racing the Gold Coast Marathon then where better to stay than right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Book your room now.
For more info or to enter click here.
G:Link – 25 minutes
Driving – 5km / 10 minutes
A must see spectacle, in the heart of Surfers Paradise. The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is a three-day weekend event featuring heart-pumping aerobatic demonstrations by the world’s finest aviators. Focused around family fun, the Pacific Airshow features some of the best civilian performers and military aviators from around the globe.
The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is the largest Airshow event to ever take place in Australia with more than 250,000 watching on from across the ticketed precinct, nearby beaches and balconies above (secure your balcony now with an Ocean View Room at Novotel Surfers Paradise.).
The Pacific Airshow 2025 dates will be announced shortly.
Building on the success of the 2023 debut Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, Accor has been named the official accommodation partner of the event!
With Accor and the Pacific Airshow joining forces, Accor ALL members are guaranteed the best seats in the house with prime ocean view rooms available in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Don’t forgot to book your room now.
As part of the partnership, Airshow fans can unlock the best rates and save by joining ALL (Accor Live Limitless) – Accor’s lifestyle loyalty program. Save with a special Members’ Rate and earn points on every stay with us here at Novotel Surfers Paradise.
Venue: Home of the Arts (HOTA), Gold Coast
Get ready to dance under the stars as Ministry of Sound CLASSICAL returns to its Gold Coast home at HOTA for an unforgettable night of iconic beats and breathtaking orchestral arrangements. Following consecutive years of sold-out shows, this year’s sunset festival promises a brand-new setlist and an electrifying atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in the ultimate celebration of dance music’s greatest moments with performances by the Ministry of Sound Orchestra, led by award-winning conductor Vanessa Perica. Accompanied by powerhouse vocalists like Reigan, Karina Chavez, Rudy, Lady Lyric, and Luke Antony, this show will reimagine your favorite anthems like never before.
Adding to the excitement, party starters Sneaky Sound System and international DJ sensation Helena will take the stage, ensuring an unforgettable night of music and dancing.
Event Schedule:
Make a Night of It!
If you’re planning to attend, why not elevate the experience? Stay just minutes away at Novotel Surfers Paradise, the perfect location for a seamless weekend escape. After a night of dancing, relax in the comfort of our spacious rooms in the heart of the Gold Coast.
Book your stay with us and make this Labour Day Weekend one to remember!
Get ready for the 12th edition of this must-see event on the Gold Coast! With its incredible location just steps from the golden shores of Broadbeach, it’s a country music celebration you won’t want to miss.
This multi-award-winning festival is free to attend and spans three full days, featuring some of the finest international and local country music acts. After last year’s amazing 10th-anniversary celebration, which showcased nearly 60 artists, the 2025 festival is set to be even bigger and better.
The Groundwater Country Music Festival is is held at Kurrawa Park, a short 10 minute G:Link ride from Novotel Surfers Paradise. If you’re planning to immerse yourself in the best country music on the Gold Coast, why not stay in the heart of the action? Book your room at Novotel Surfers Paradise now for an unforgettable festival experience.
For more details on the event click here.
G:Link – 10 minutes
Walk – 3km / 45 minutes
Supercars return to the streets of Surfers Paradise this October for the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.
From 23 – 26 October, 2025. October, the sunny streets of Surfers Paradise will be alive with the sounds of supercars and super fans alike. The Repco Supercars Championship will make use of the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit across Macintosh Island, just north of the vibrant and bustling streets of Surfers Paradise.
Adjacent to the track’s excitement, Novotel Surfers Paradise places you right next to the Gold Coast’s biggest party. The Gold Coast 500 is best described as a Race by day, Party by night. Experience the GC 500 weekend like no other with the perfect balance of proximity and peace. Enjoy all the action while staying just far enough away to ensure a restful night’s sleep. For the ultimate Gold Coast 500 experience, there’s no better place than the heart of Surfers Paradise.
For the best rates on your Gold Coast 500 stay, book directly with Novotel Surfers Paradise. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy prime location and exceptional value – reserve your room directly with Novotel Surfers Paradise and make the most of your race weekend!
Make the most of your GC 500 Weekend:
Want to maximise your Gold Coast 500 weekend? Check out our detailed 2-day guide for the GC 500.
G:Link – 10-15 minutes (just 2 stops to Surfers Paradise North or one more to Main Beach)
Walking – 10-30 minutes (we are a short 10 minute stroll to the nearest entry gate)