Plenty of travellers check the forecast when planning a holiday, but the smart ones check the event calendar. May hits the sweet spot on the Gold Coast, and if you’re asking what’s on the Gold Coast this month, we’ve lined up the good stuff.
Expect sky-shaking fireworks, beachside music that goes well past sunset, and a boat show that’s all about big dreams and bigger engines.
Many events are free, all are worth your time, and most are just a stroll or tram ride from the sand. Don’t wait until your mate tells you what you missed.
What’s On Gold Coast This May
May is shaping up to be one of the Gold Coast’s busiest and brightest months, with live music, waterfront glamour, and sky-high thrills in full swing.
The season stays warm, and so does the action. Anyone keeping an eye on what’s on the Gold Coast this May will notice a calendar packed with standout events. Here are just a few of the highlights making waves:
- Open-air blues festivals fill Broadbeach with rhythm
- Million-dollar yachts lining the marina at the boat show
- Fireworks and pyrotechnics over the Surfers Paradise shoreline
- Avant-garde art installations appearing in public spaces
These events on the Gold Coast aren’t add-ons. They define the experience. Below, we’ve mapped out the major Gold Coast event dates to help you time your trip right.
Blues on Broadbeach
Broadbeach is set to hum with soul and rhythm as the coast’s best-loved music weekend returns this May.
The Gold Coast’s Signature Blues Festival
Running from 15 to 18 May 2025, Blues on Broadbeach takes over the streets with four days of live music, all completely free. This Blues Festival Gold Coast favourite brings together headline acts and emerging talent across multiple open-air stages, drawing crowds with its easygoing vibe and quality line-up.
Getting There Without the Fuss
Skip the car and jump on the G: link tram at Cavill Avenue. It’s a short ride to Broadbeach South, just a few minutes away, and drops you close to the main stage areas.
When to Go and What to Eat
Evenings are the standout. As the sun dips, the crowd swells and the atmosphere lifts. Food trucks, bars, and cafés around Broadbeach keep it social and simple.
This Gold Coast Blues Festival is a true festival staple, packed with live music and coastal charm.
Boat Show at Sanctuary Cove
Polished hulls, designer interiors and waterside prestige return this May with one of the most anticipated marine events in Queensland.
Australia’s Leading Marine Showcase
The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show runs from 22 to 25 May 2025, setting the stage for high-end vessels, marine technology and luxury lifestyle exhibits. As a signature Gold Coast event, it draws boating enthusiasts, industry leaders and curious onlookers into a relaxed, open-air setting.
Getting There and Parking Tips
Expect around 35 35-minute drive north from Surfers Paradise. Parking fills early, so plan to arrive in the morning or use the park-and-ride shuttle. Tickets typically range between $25 and $35. Check the official site closer to the date for final pricing and early access options.
Lunch With a View
Take a break at The Marine Village, where waterfront cafés and courtyard restaurants create the ideal setting for a casual meal with a view.
Of all the events in Gold Coast this May, few match this one for polish, pace and atmosphere.
SeaFire Fireworks
Surfers Paradise lights up once again with one of the most visually striking nights on the local calendar.
A Festival of Light and Sound
SeaFire Surfers Paradise returns on 31 May 2025, transforming the beachfront into a high-energy fireworks competition. Pyrotechnic teams from around the world go head-to-head, choreographing sky-high displays to music in a setting that buzzes with excitement. It’s one of the top events on the Gold Coast each year, and it draws big crowds for good reason.
Easy to Access, Free to Enjoy
The event is free to attend and easily walkable from the St Tropez Resort. For the best view, aim to arrive early and set up near the Esplanade or on the sand.
Food, Fireworks and Atmosphere
A night market pops up nearby with casual bites, sweets and drinks. It’s the kind of event that suits couples, families and anyone chasing a good reason to stay out late.
As far as any festival on the Gold Coast goes, SeaFire stands out for all the right reasons.
BLEACH Festival*
Creative energy will hit the streets this May as early BLEACH* installations bring bold ideas into everyday Gold Coast corners.
Art That Moves With the City
The BLEACH Festival Gold Coast is known for its fresh approach, turning everyday locations into pop-up stages and immersive spaces. This year’s early program keeps things close to Surfers Paradise, with performances and art moments that feel spontaneous yet considered.
Highlights Near Surfers
One event will take place at dusk along the Esplanade, where live music and movement art meet the fading light. Another installation nearby will transform a local park into an ambient sound experience, inviting passersby to pause and tune in.
Originality With No Detour
This festival Gold Coast favourite is built for curious travellers who want a cultural hit without leaving their postcode. BLEACH* proves that memorable doesn’t always mean far-flung.
Why May Is the Month to Visit
If you’re chasing warm days, cool nights and a calendar stacked with music and spectacle, May is your moment.
It’s peak season for what’s on the Gold Coast, but the crowds are here for the events, not just the beaches. The weather lines up beautifully:
- Daytime highs sit near 23°C—ideal for outdoor sessions and seaside walks.
- Evening lows around 15°C—perfect for alfresco dining and night-time shows.
- Packing tip: Bring a light jacket for post-sunset comfort.
The calendar lines up back-to-back highlights:
- SeaFire turns the shoreline into a fireworks arena.
- Blues on Broadbeach brings four days of rhythm to the streets.
- Sanctuary Cove turns heads with superyachts and marine showpieces.
Now’s the time to anchor your plans around the main acts and secure a front-row base before the rest catch on.
Where Events Meet Ease
When your accommodation matches your event line-up, everything falls into place.
St Tropez Apartment sits within walking distance of SeaFire, with the G:link tram nearby for quick rides to Blues on Broadbeach and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. No parking stress. No long transfers.
Each apartment is fully self-contained and comfortably set within tropical surrounds—ideal for travellers planning a May packed with headline events.
Start your itinerary with Surfers Paradise Accommodation and Things to Do in Surfers Paradise, and let the rest unfold with ease.
Image credit: The Gold Coast’s Signature Blues Festival