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The Sunshine Coast runs events in every month of the year, from a world-famous surfing festival in March to a sold-out triathlon in late October. Most are free to watch, and several are free to enter. Dates shift slightly each year, so confirm on the official event site before booking flights. The Sunshine Coast hub covers where to stay during each event.
Sunshine Coast Events and Festivals: Summer
Noosa Festival of Surfing (March)
The Noosa Festival of Surfing runs for about eight days in mid-March at Noosa Heads, with more than 400 competitors across longboard and shortboard divisions. Most events are free to watch from the beach, and there are evening film screenings and live music. In 2025 the festival ran from 14 to 23 March. Accommodation in Noosa books out early, so reserve two to three months ahead. For the monthly temperature and rainfall numbers, see our Sunshine Coast weather by month guide.
Currumbin and Caloundra Street Fair (Year Round)
The Caloundra Street Fair runs every Sunday morning in Bulcock Street, with about 100 stalls of food, crafts, and live music. It is free to enter and is the most consistent weekly event on the southern end of the coast. Eumundi Markets, covered in the things to do on the Sunshine Coast guide, runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Sunshine Coast Events and Festivals: Autumn and Winter
Noosa Food and Wine Festival (Late May to Early June)
The Noosa Food and Wine Festival runs over four days around the end of May, centred on a Festival Village at Noosa Lions Park with food stalls, wine tastings, and chef demonstrations. In 2025 it ran from 29 May to 2 June. Some sessions are ticketed, but the village has free entry sections. This is one of the busiest weekends of the autumn, so book dinner reservations early. For logistics and costs, see the Sunshine Coast travel tips guide.
Noosa Alive (Late July)
Noosa Alive is a ten-day performing arts festival in late July covering theatre, music, and dance at venues around Noosa. The program mixes ticketed theatre shows with free outdoor performances. July is also the driest month on the coast, so the event reliably runs under clear skies.
Sunshine Coast Events and Festivals: Spring
Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival (Late October to Early November)
The Noosa Triathlon is the largest triathlon in the Southern Hemisphere, held over a multi-sport festival weekend in late October or early November. It draws more than 8,000 competitors plus support crews, so Noosa and Noosaville accommodation sells out months ahead and road closures affect the coast on race morning. The swim is in the Noosa River and the bike leg runs inland toward Cooroy.
Caloundra Music Festival (October)
The Caloundra Music Festival is a four-day music event held at Kings Beach Park in October, with Australian and international acts on multiple stages. Day passes are usually around AU$60 to AU$90. It is family friendly, with a kids zone, and the location on the beachfront means you can move between the stages and the sand. For a longer list of seasonal dates, see the best time to visit the Sunshine Coast guide.
Planning Around Sunshine Coast Events and Festivals
Book accommodation first, then flights; the big March, June, and October events fill rooms before they fill planes. If you are visiting outside an event, the coast is noticeably quieter and cheaper. Check the Sunshine Coast neighborhoods guide to pick a base, and the where to stay on the Sunshine Coast page for hotel options near each event venue.
