At a glance
- Free
- Surfers Paradise Christmas Flicks and Fireworks (Sundays 6, 13 and 20 December), Broadwater Christmas Twilight (Saturday 12 December), HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets (20 December) and Miami Twilight NYE (Thursday 31 December)
- Ticketed
- Santa Breakfast Cruise at Sanctuary Cove $120 (5, 12 and 21 December), Gingerbread House Kids Workshop at Bundall $95 (Sunday 6 December), Deck the Halls dinner at the Convention Centre $215 (Saturday 12 December)
- Movies at Surfers Paradise
- Elf on 6 December, The Grinch on 13 December, Home Alone 2 on 20 December; movie at 7pm, fireworks at 8pm
- Clash to watch
- On Saturday 12 December, Broadwater Christmas Twilight (3pm to 9pm) and Deck the Halls (6:45pm to 11:45pm) overlap, and on Sunday 20 December the third Surfers Paradise movie night falls on the same day as the HOTA markets, if those run that evening
- Who it’s for
- Families and groups choosing a December event on the Gold Coast, from a free beach night to a booked cruise or dinner
- What to do now
- Book the cruise, workshop or dinner early because places are limited or ticketed, and decide on the free ones nearer the date
- Last checked
- Wednesday 4 November 2026, against the City of Gold Coast What’s On listings
- Not yet confirmed
- The 2026 hours for the HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets (the listing shows a 2025 date with hours and a 2026 date with none), the Deck the Halls age limit, and any running orders
Seven Gold Coast events between Saturday 5 and Thursday 31 December 2026 are listed by the City of Gold Coast, and four of them are free: three beach movie nights at Surfers Paradise, a twilight Christmas market at Broadwater Parklands, a market at HOTA and an early New Year’s Eve party at Miami. The other three need a ticket, from $95 for a kids’ gingerbread workshop to $215 for a gala dinner. This guide uses each event’s City What’s On listing, read on 4 November 2026. For the free suburb carols in the same weeks, see our guide to December carols and Christmas events.
What are the seven events, and what do they cost?
| Date | Event | Place | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 5, Sat 12 and Mon 21 Dec | Santa Breakfast Cruise | Sanctuary Cove Marine Village | $120 |
| Sun 6 Dec | Gingerbread House Kids Workshop | Greendays, Bundall | $95 |
| Sun 6, 13 and 20 Dec | Surfers Paradise Christmas Flicks and Fireworks | Surfers Paradise Beach | Free |
| Sat 12 Dec | Broadwater Christmas Twilight | The Great Lawn, Southport | Free |
| Sat 12 Dec | Deck the Halls | Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre | $215 |
| 20 Dec | HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets | HOTA Precinct, Surfers Paradise | Free |
| Thu 31 Dec | Miami Twilight NYE | Thorn Park, Miami | Free |
What is on at the Surfers Paradise Christmas Flicks and Fireworks?
The City lists three Sunday evenings of Christmas movies and fireworks by the beach, presented by City of Gold Coast. From 4pm the Surfers Paradise Christmas Twilight Markets are open with handmade gifts and festive food, the free movie starts at 7pm, and fireworks go off at 8pm each night.
| Date | Movie |
|---|---|
| Sunday 6 December | Elf |
| Sunday 13 December | The Grinch |
| Sunday 20 December | Home Alone 2 |
The venue is Surfers Paradise Beach at the Surfers Paradise Sign on The Esplanade. The listing suggests riding the G to Cavill Avenue or making your journey active. It also says to bring a picnic blanket and settle on the sand.
What is on at Broadwater Christmas Twilight on 12 December?
The Great Lawn at Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport, turns into a Christmas market from 3pm to 9pm, and entry is free. The listing describes handcrafted gifts and artisan creations from small businesses, live holiday music, food, roving entertainment, free face painting, free messy play, a free family interactive game show, a kid’s magic craft activity and a visit from Santa. A jumping castle is on offer for a small fee, and there is a Christmas photo prop area for dogs. The page says there is plenty of parking and public transport. The listed contact is Broadwater Pavilion Markets at info@bwpmarkets.com.au.
What is on at HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets, and when?
The listing describes a twinkling trail of artisans, makers and gourmet food, live music, roving performers, a Santa meet and greet with photo opportunities, and kids’ activities at the HOTA Precinct, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise. Entry is free, and registering for free tickets puts you in a draw for a $200 gourmet hamper.
The date and time are not clear. The body text says Saturday 20th December from 4pm to 9pm, but 20 December 2026 is a Sunday. The “When” section lists Saturday 20 December 2025, 4pm to 9pm, and Sunday 20 December 2026 at 12:00 AM, with no end time. We are treating the 2026 hours as unconfirmed until the organiser or the City says otherwise.
On parking, the listing says there are limited spots on site, and suggests a ride-share to Chevron Island and a walk across the Green Bridge to HOTA.
What is on at Deck the Halls on 12 December?
Deck the Halls is a ticketed Christmas dinner at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2684-2690 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, from 6:45pm to 11:45pm. The price is $215. The listing says that includes a 4-course dinner and a 4.5-hour drinks package, with the 11-piece band Magic Carpet Ride and a performance by Suzie G. Guests are asked to dress to impress and bring their best mask. The page does not give an age limit, so check with the centre at experiences@gccec.com.au before booking with children.
What is the Santa Breakfast Cruise, and how do I book?
This is a 90-minute cruise aboard The Lady, departing from Sanctuary Cove Marine Village, Masthead Way, Hope Island. It is listed for Saturday 5 December, Saturday 12 December and Monday 21 December, each from 7:30am to 10am, at $120. The listing says you meet Santa, Mrs Claus and Rudolph, with a Christmas show, face painting and a kid-friendly breakfast grazing table. Bookings are essential and places are strictly limited. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult, and children over one year of age need a ticket.
What is the Gingerbread House Kids Workshop?
Greendays Restaurant and Bar at Island Emporium, 8/6 Ashmore Road, Bundall, runs a workshop on Sunday 6 December at 2pm. The price is $95. Children decorate their own gingerbread house with instructors on hand and take it home. Spaces are limited, so the listing says to reserve your spot. The page says there is free parking on site, and the contact is Greendays on 07 5592 4466 or events@greendays.net.au.
What is on at Miami Twilight NYE on 31 December?
Thorn Park on Marine Parade, Miami, hosts an early, free family New Year’s Eve from 4pm to 8pm, presented by Councillor Nick Marshall OAM. The listing mentions DJ tunes, the New Year Express train, a Bubble Zone, inflatables, arts and crafts, face painting and food trucks. It says you can finish the evening watching the nearby coastline fireworks from Kurrawa and Surfers Paradise along the beach. The listing does not mention fireworks at the park itself. The organiser’s contact is The Events Agency on 1300 855 270.
What should I check before I go?
The free City events carry the same standard advice on their pages: use public transport, walking or cycling, because parking may be limited, and parking rules still apply during events. Check the HOTA hours first, since that listing is the least clear. Our Mayor’s Christmas Carols guide covers the big HOTA night on 28 November, and our guide to community events from 13 to 29 November covers the weeks before.
Sources
- What’s On Gold Coast — Surfers Paradise Christmas Flicks and Fireworks (read 4 November 2026)
- What’s On Gold Coast — Broadwater Christmas Twilight (read 4 November 2026)
- What’s On Gold Coast — HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets (read 4 November 2026)
- What’s On Gold Coast — Deck the Halls (read 4 November 2026)
- What’s On Gold Coast — Santa Breakfast Cruise (read 4 November 2026)
- What’s On Gold Coast — Gingerbread House Kids Workshop (read 4 November 2026)
- What’s On Gold Coast — Miami Twilight NYE at Thorn Park (read 4 November 2026)
Featured image: HOTA, Home of the Arts, shown for orientation (photo: MarketingHOTA / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Gold Coast or the organisers of these events. Event details change; check each event’s page before you go.