Gold Coast (QLD) Christmas Events 10 to 20 December 2026: Free Carols, Fireworks and Santa at Sanctuary Cove, Mermaid Waters, Palm Beach, Varsity Lakes, Robina, Coomera and Currumbin

Eight free Christmas events run on the Gold Coast between Thursday 10 and Sunday 20 December 2026, from a fireworks finale at Sanctuary Cove on the first night to a laser light show at Currumbin on the last. This guide uses the City of Gold Coast’s What’s On listings, read on 3 November 2026, plus the organisers’ websites for Mermaid Waters, Palm Beach and Greenheart. Events can change, so check each website before you go.

Which December Christmas events are on, and when?

Date	Event	Place	Times
Thu 10 Dec	Carols on the Lawn and Christmas Market	Marina Lawns, Sanctuary Cove	4pm to 8pm
Sat 12 Dec	Mermaid Waters Christmas Park Party	McIlwain Family Park	5pm to 8pm
Sat 12 Dec	Palm Beach Christmas Carols	Palm Beach Parklands	5pm to 8pm
Sat 12 Dec	Varsity Carols by the Lake	Waterfront Stage, Varsity Promenade	5pm to 8pm
Mon 14 to Sun 20 Dec	Christmas in Broadbeach	Broadbeach Mall	From 10am Monday to 4pm Sunday
Fri 18 and Sat 19 Dec	Coomera Christmas Flicks and Fireworks	Viney Park, Coomera	5:30pm to 8:30pm each night
Sat 19 Dec	Christmas at Greenheart	Greenheart Robina Parklands	4pm to 8pm
Sun 20 Dec	Currumbin Christmas Carols	Merv Craig Recreation Park	5pm to 7:30pm

All eight are listed as free. The City’s pages say the same thing for each: use public transport, walking or cycling, because parking may be limited, and parking rules still apply during events. Three organiser websites add that admission is free and tickets are not required.

What is on at Carols on the Lawn and Christmas Market at Sanctuary Cove on 10 December?

The City’s listing says the Marina Lawn becomes a festive wonderland with live entertainment and a fireworks finale. It describes the market as Sanctuary Cove’s first Christmas Market, with festive gifts, handmade treasures and Christmas decorations. The times on the page are:

Time	What
4pm to 8pm	Christmas Market
5pm to 8pm	Carols on the Lawn, with picnic blankets welcome
8pm	Fireworks finale over the marina

The listing says to arrive early to secure parking and a good spot on the grass, and that capacity limits will apply. It also mentions waterfront dining and boutique shopping in the Marine Village. The event is presented in partnership with Ray White Sanctuary Cove. For questions, the listed contact is Sanctuary Cove Marine Village on 07 5577 6500.

What is on at the three suburb events on Saturday 12 December?

Three events share the same evening, 5pm to 8pm, so you can only reach one of them. All three are run by The Events Agency, whose listed number is 1300 855 270.

Mermaid Waters Christmas Park Party is at McIlwain Family Park on Oceanic Drive. The organiser’s site calls it Mermaid’s brightest night of the year, with music, food trucks, face painting and the Flotilla of Lights, when decorated boats light up the Mermaid Waters waterways. The FAQs say there are no road closures because the event stays inside the park, that alcohol is not permitted, and that pets must be in your control and on leads, with a warning that the crowd and speakers are loud.

Palm Beach Christmas Carols is at Palm Beach Parklands, 945 Gold Coast Highway. The City says to bring a picnic blanket for live entertainment, Christmas carols, food from Dune Café, face painting, bubble entertainers, creative arts stalls, a visit from Santa and a fireworks display to end the night. The organiser’s site also lists roving performers, food trucks, Christmas market stalls and a “make it snow” feature. Pets are not allowed: the FAQs say Palm Beach Parklands is largely a dog-prohibited venue, and only certified assistance dogs are permitted, with the handler’s ID on hand.

Varsity Carols by the Lake is at the Waterfront Stage on Varsity Promenade, 240 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes. The City lists live stage entertainment, Christmas carols, Santa and fireworks over Lake Orr, and says it is brought to you by Division 11 Councillor Dan Doran. That is all the page says: there is no program yet.

What is on at Christmas in Broadbeach from 14 to 20 December?

Broadbeach Mall on Victoria Avenue becomes a gingerbread village, per the City. Children can do Christmas crafts and cookie decorating, then settle in for storytime theatre, which requires a booking. There is also a special evening visit from Santa. The City’s page does not say which evening, so ask before planning around it: the listed contact is City of Gold Coast on 07 5581 7539, and the City points to the Christmas in Broadbeach page on Facebook for updates.

The same listing mentions the film Elf at Movies Under the Stars on Friday 18 December at Kurrawa Park. See our guide to Movies Under the Stars for the other screenings.

What is on at Coomera Christmas Flicks and Fireworks on 18 and 19 December?

Viney Park, 1 Yuan Street, Coomera, hosts two evenings. From 5:30pm there are food trucks, kids’ activities and Christmas cheer; a free outdoor movie starts at 7pm, and each night finishes with fireworks at 8:30pm. The City lists the films as Arthur Christmas on Friday 18 December and Elf on Saturday 19 December. The event is presented by City of Gold Coast, whose listed contact is 07 5581 7539.

What is on at Christmas at Greenheart in Robina on 19 December?

The City’s page describes Christmas markets, food trucks, free family activities, face painting and Christmas crafts at Greenheart Robina Parklands on Stadium Drive. From 5pm there are performances by local dance studios, community groups, musicians and choirs, a visit from Santa, and a fireworks finale. The organiser’s site gives the hours as 4pm to 8pm with the stage from 5pm.

One wrinkle: the City’s page calls it a brand-new community event in its summary, then says it is back for its second year. The organiser’s own site lists a 2025 edition, so “second year” is the safer reading, but neither page settles it.

The organiser’s FAQs say Greenheart Robina Parklands is a dog-prohibited area, and that limited additional parking is available off East Lane at 1 Stadium Drive, thanks to the Gold Coast Titans and Bond University.

What is on at Currumbin Christmas Carols on 20 December?

The City says Currumbin Christmas Carols turns 10 this year and runs from 5pm to 7:30pm at Merv Craig Recreation Park, 26 Galleon Way, Currumbin Waters. The listing mentions family entertainment, live stage performances, festive favourites, food trucks and attractions, a visit from Santa, and a laser light show finale. It is hosted by Division 14 Councillor Gail O’Neill, and the contact is The Events Agency on 1300 855 270.

How do I get there, and where do I park?

None of these events sells parking, and the sources are consistent about it: expect limited spaces, walk or ride if you can, and follow the signs. What each source adds:

Event	Getting there, per the sources
Sanctuary Cove	Arrive early to secure parking; capacity limits apply
Mermaid Waters	Limited parking around the venue and side streets; most people are expected to walk, scoot or ride; no road closures
Palm Beach	Limited parking around the venue; Palm Beach Currumbin State High School offers limited extra spaces; nearest bus stops are on Thrower Dr (routes 765 and 760) and Gold Coast Highway (routes 700 and 760); no road closures
Greenheart	Limited parking; limited extra spaces off East Lane at 1 Stadium Drive; no road closures
Varsity Lakes, Broadbeach, Coomera, Currumbin	The City’s standard advice: public transport, walking or cycling; parking may be limited; use the EasyPark app for metered bays

For tram trips, our G:link fares guide explains how to pay. Check Translink’s journey planner for evening and return services, since none of the event pages gives late bus times.

What should I check before I go?

Three things are still open on the pages we read. First, there are no stage line-ups or running orders for the carols. Second, only Sanctuary Cove (8pm) and Coomera (8:30pm) name a fireworks time. Third, Santa’s evening in Broadbeach has no date. Our guide to the November and early December community Christmas events covers six events before these, and the Mayor’s Christmas Carols guide covers the HOTA night on 28 November.

Sources

• What’s On Gold Coast — Carols on the Lawn and Christmas Market at Sanctuary Cove (read 3 November 2026)
• What’s On Gold Coast — Mermaid Waters Christmas Park Party (read 3 November 2026)
• What’s On Gold Coast — Palm Beach Christmas Carols (read 3 November 2026)
• What’s On Gold Coast — Varsity Carols by the Lake (read 3 November 2026)
• What’s On Gold Coast — Christmas in Broadbeach (read 3 November 2026)
• What’s On Gold Coast — Coomera Christmas Flicks and Fireworks (read 3 November 2026)
• What’s On Gold Coast — Christmas at Greenheart (read 3 November 2026)
• What’s On Gold Coast — Currumbin Christmas Carols (read 3 November 2026)
• Mermaid Waters Christmas Park Party — FAQs (read 3 November 2026)
• Palm Beach Christmas Carols — FAQs (read 3 November 2026)
• Christmas at Greenheart — FAQs (read 3 November 2026)

Featured image: Christmas lights in Chelmer, Brisbane, in 2020, shown for orientation and not on the Gold Coast (photo: Kgbo / 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, The Events Agency or Sanctuary Cove. Event details change; check each event’s page before you go.