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WONDER is back at HOTA for ten days of awe-inspiring events, concerts and activations WONDER is back at HOTA for ten days of awe-inspiring events, concerts and activations WONDER is back at HOTA for ten days of awe-inspiring events, concerts and activations WONDER is back at HOTA for ten days of awe-inspiring events, concerts and activations WONDER is back at HOTA for ten days of awe-inspiring events, concerts and activations WONDER is back at HOTA for ten days of awe-inspiring events, concerts and activations

WONDER is back at HOTA for ten days of awe-inspiring events, concerts and activations

HOTA is set to awe, amaze and inspire this spring with the return of its much-loved WONDER Festival. Set to dazzle from October 6–15, the annual event invites visitors to celebrate the changing of the season with a spectacular selection of art and performance in the outdoors. This year's line-up is a delight for all of your senses, with a jam-packed program of free and ticketed events headlined by the dazzling large-scale installation Borealis by Dan Acher, which will illuminate the night sky and envelop HOTA's Outdoor Stage with colour, light and sound. Here's everything you need to know about the vibrant festival ...


Grab a cardigan as WONDER Festival is beckoning you outdoors, and its hero event, Borealis, is well worth leaving the comforts of home. The spellbinding showcase will layer HOTA’s Outdoor Stage in a kaleidoscope of colour, light and sound, reminiscent of the Northern Lights. Brought to life by internationally renowned artist, Dan Acher, Borealis seamlessly merges state-of-the-art technology with innovative musical composition by Guillaume Desbois, resulting in a mesmerising display that is sure to captivate audiences. Throughout the ten nights of WONDERBorealis is free to experience and will grace the skies of HOTA’s Outdoor Stage. Those wanting to make a night out of it can bring their picnic basket along on Friday October 6 to experience soulful sounds courtesy of the MZAZA ensemble as they grace HOTA’s Outdoor Stage for a special edition of Friday’s on the Lawn. Little ones can let their imagination run wild at the Kids Play Space of Wonder & Colour, from October 6–14, as HOTA’s Lawn Bar is transformed into a whimsical wonderland that’s jam-packed with activities just for youngsters.

Those looking to feast under the stars can do so on Saturday October 14 at Night Bites Under Lights, which will feature a mouth-watering array of food-truck fare and a pop-up bar. Under the breathtaking display of Borealis, market-goers can expect to nosh to a soundtrack of groovy tunes provided by ten-piece mega band, the Sunny Coast Rude Boys. Those who want to level up the culinary adventures can indulge in a four-course culinary journey with paired wines curated by Palette’s executive chef Dayan Hartill-Law at the Lux De La Luna Dinner. Accompanying the flavour-packed feast will be a bounty of entertainment, including awe-inspiring aerial acts courtesy of the cirque performers at Aerial Angels and roving performances by creative misfits the VOIIID Collective. There will also be DJ beats filling the air thanks to Joy Blu and live tunes from six-piece psychedelic disco band Brain Electric.

That’s just some of the highlights, folks – peep the full WONDER program here and start planning!

Image credit: supplied by HOTA.

To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.



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