Mayor’s Christmas Carols, Saturday December 2
Beloved pop quartet Human Nature will have you up and dancing to your favourite Christmas tunes when they take to HOTA’s Outdoor Stage for the 12th annual Mayor’s Christmas Carols. The likes of Lily Grace, The Brisbane Gospel Choir and, of course, Santa Claus, will also hit the stage for the festive spectacular, which kicks off at 4:00 pm. The ticket allocation is now exhausted for the Outdoor Stage, but don’t fret if you missed out – the HOTA Parklands will be set up with lakeside screens broadcasting the carols live, along with a heap of free family entertainment and a delicious assortment of food trucks. You don’t need tickets, just mosey on down from 4:00 pm.
Valley Estate Christmas Wonderland, December 7–10
Currumbin’s The Valley Estate is transforming into an illuminated Christmas wonderland this December, and will be opening its gates for locals to wander through and witness the magic. From December 7–10, you can meander through the lush grounds to experience the estate’s incredible lighting installations, stopping off at Santa’s den and the elves’ workshop and enjoying plenty of photo-worthy moments. Before you go, pre-order luxury hampers brimming with locally sourced meats, cheeses, antipasti, sweets and a bottle of wine, then roll out the picnic rug and soak up the festive vibes as the dreamy Christmas lights glimmer around you. Bookings are essential – be quick!
Movie World’s White Christmas, December 8–23
Movie World’s White Christmas – the closest we get to an actual white Christmas on the Gold Coast – is back again to transform the theme park into a spectacular winter wonderland with a huge nightly schedule of festivities, precincts and special events to celebrate the season. Got kids? This is a must-do! The Joy to the World Parade will stop you in your tracks down Main Street, you’ll discover magical Christmas fairies over the Fairy Tree House, and everybody’s favourite Looney Tunes characters will perform a live Christmas show over in Santa’s Village. Plus, you’ll be able to experience Movie World’s thrilling rides by night! White Christmas at Movie World runs from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm over various dates in the lead up to Christmas – some dates are already booking out, so be quick to secure your tickets. Go go go.
HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets, Saturday December 17
Roll out the picnic rug and enjoy a holly-jolly evening under the festoon lights at HOTA’s Christmas Twilight Market. Some of the region’s best gourmet street-food stalls, including an array of decadent dessert-makers, will be on hand so you can really lean into feasting season. Still hunting for the perfect Christmas gift? You’ll find one-of-a-kind stocking stuffers as you wander through the market lanes, which will be brimming with stalls from local artisans. Plus, there will be live Christmas tunes (hello, Mariah), a visit from Santa, roving pop-up performances, and plenty of kids entertainment and activities. Oh, and HOTA Gallery will be open until 9:00 pm during the Christmas Twilight Markets, so you can check out its hyped new exhibition, Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street while you’re at it.
Want more? Check out our list of Gold Coast Christmas markets over here.
Carols on the Beach, Saturday December 17
One of the Gold Coast’s most iconic Christmas events returns to the Surfers Paradise beachfront for a fun-filled afternoon and evening of live Christmas carols, festive markets, fireworks and an appearance from a sandy-footed Santa. Beloved Australian media personality Matty J is back this year to host – and this time, his wife and Life Uncut podcaster Laura Byrne will join him on stage as co-host. Fun! Head to the foreshore from 4:00 pm to get a kick-start on your gifting at the Christmas edition of the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, then settle in for a joyful night of live carols under the stars.
There are plenty of Christmas carols events across the Gold Coast this month, including the Varsity Carols by the Lake on Saturday December 9, the Cooly Carols on Sunday December 10, the Currumbin Community Christmas Carols on Wednesday December 20, Carols in Coomera and the Pacific Pines Christmas Carols both on Saturday December 16, and Carols on the Broadwater on Monday December 18. Warm up those vocal chords!
Decorate a gingerbread house, December 7–22
‘Tis the season for loosening the belt buckle and creating some holiday traditions. One of our all-time favourite things to do in the lead up to Christmas is to sip eggnog and decorate our very own gingerbread house. The team at Madison’s Cafe & Patisserie will once again be dishing up festive cheer with the classes running every Thursday and Friday in December from 6:00 pm. For $110 per person (including wine and nibbles, the aforementioned eggnog is available to purchase), you get to put your decorating skills to the test and walk away with your very own edible Christmas creation. Book through Madison’s Cafe & Patisserie. There’s also mini-gingerbread house decorating for kids running Wednesdays and Thursdays in December from 3:00 pm. The children’s class is $25 per person and includes a frosty milkshake.
