Every epic event on the Sunshine Coast in 2025
- Kurt Penberth
- Mar 18
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 8
Whether you’re new to the region or have lived here all your life, we bet there’s an event on our list you haven’t yet tackled. From culinary indulgences to fitness challenges, we have something to suit everyone.
Celebrating community
Suncoast Outdoor Adventure Expo (4–6 April): Check out the latest innovations in 4WDs, caravans and camper trailers at the Nambour Showgrounds.
First Nations Family Fun Day (12 April): Join Kabi Kabi and Jinibara First Nations People for a free, family-friendly day of cultural learning at the Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct.
Colour Frenzy (27 April): Bring the family and the furbaby to the Sunshine Coast Stadium for a fun run/jog/walk/crawl featuring obstacles, a foam machine and colour stations. Dress up and raise funds for charities.
Ray White Nambour Rodeo (10 May): This epic community event will be back for its fifth year in 2025, bringing all of the roping, riding, racing action you love to the Nambour Showgrounds.
Landsborough Museum Street Festival (17 May): Celebrate the Australian Heritage Festival with live music, activities, face-painting and a slice of cake.
The Maleny Show (30–31 May): This annual tradition has been delighting the community for more than a century. From show jumping and woodchop to a reptile show and even a live wedding ceremony, this is regional life at its best.
Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show (13–15 June): This famous fair has been going since 1900. Over the decades, generations of locals have loved being part of agricultural experiences, competitions, livestock exhibitions, family rides, equestrian events and of course the famous showbags.
Queensland Garden Show (11–13 July): Green thumbs will adore spending three days immersed in a horticultural wonderland packed with nurseries, workshops, lectures, demonstrations and a fantastic kids’ area.
Sunshine Coast Expo (26–28 September): Kawana Sports Precinct will be filled with all manner of caravans, campers, motorhomes, boats, 4x4 accessories and outdoor adventure gear.
Buderim Garden Festival (17–19 October): Enjoy plant markets, photo displays, floral exhibitions and take a sticky beak through some of Buderim’s best open gardens.
Pop-Up Polo (18 October): This award-winning event series will pop up again on the Sunshine Coast for an indulgent Saturday full of fashion, entertainment, quality food and wine – and of course, polo.
Steve Irwin Day (15 November): Australia Zoo never misses an opportunity to celebrate the man, the myth, the legend, Steve Irwin.
Devouring local eats
Sunshine Coast Chilli & Chocolate Festival (23 March): The Station will be a hubbub of eating competitions, charity raffles, food trucks, a bar and of course plenty of sampling and shopping opportunities.
Beers, Boots & BBQ Festival (20 April): Swap the choccy eggs for craft beer and slow-cooked American BBQ this Easter Sunday, served with a hearty portion of country music. Aussie music royalty Lee Kernaghan will headline.
Noosa Eat & Drink Festival (29 May – 1 June): Gastronomes, unite! Fill the belly and the soul with four days of food-focused events, including the famous Arcadia Street Long Lunch and Sundowner Beach Party.
The Curated Plate (25 July – 3 August): Experience a divine taste of the Sunshine Coast this winter, as more than 200 local businesses dish up 90+ events across 10 delicious days. Enjoy local produce in a boat, under the stars, on a farm, by the beach and plenty more unexpected locations.
Honouring the arts
Xavier Rudd Freedom Sessions Tour (17 April): This renowned singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has now added a Sunshine Coast show to his tour due to overwhelming demand. He brings his son Finojet as the support act.
Flickerfest (24 April): Don’t miss the 34th year of Australia’s only Academy® Award and BAFTA qualifying short film festival as it drops by The J before continuing its world tour.
Horizon Festival (2–11 May): Ten days and nights is hardly enough to explore everything the 2025 program has to offer. Think street parties, performance art, dining experiences, farm tours, traditional storytelling, visual art, workshops and musical performances. Don’t miss the one-and-only BARKAA on stage and the Skywhale hot-air balloons in the sky.
Fanning Dempsey National Park ‘The Deluge’ 2025 Tour (23 May): Esteemed singer-songwriters Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey are taking their new musical project on the road.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow (Noosa 12 June / Caloundra 20 June): Get your giggle on when the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolls in to The J in Noosa and The Events Centre in Caloundra.
Noosa International Surfilm Festival (19–22 June): Check out some of the best surf films from Australia and around the globe, followed by Q&As with surfers and filmmakers.
NOOSA alive! (18–27 July): Now in its 23rd year, this extraordinary festival brings together music, dance, theatre, comedy, dialogue, visual art, film, literature and a bounty of good food and wine.
Australian Wearable Art Festival (8–9 August): Don’t miss talented designers and artists showcasing their exceptional creations on the 27-metre Venue 114 catwalk.
Gympie Music Muster (28–31 August): The Amamoor Creek State Forest will play host to a cracking line-up of country, blues and rock musicians, as well as a rodeo and plenty of family-friendly activities.
Noosa Jazz Festival (29 August – 7 September): Enjoy poignant jazz performances from some of the country’s best musicians in a variety of locations around Noosa.
Dave Hughes WTF? (6 September): Catch this Aussie comedy legend’s latest show at The Events Centre in Caloundra.
Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival (26–28 September): Soak up three days of short films from all around the world, live music, lectures and more.
Big Pineapple Festival (October): The iconic Big Pineapple fields are the perfect setting for a day of good tunes and cold brews. Details for the 2025 line-up are yet to be released.
The Rangebow Festival (9–12 October): This not-for-profit festival celebrates diversity, community, creativity and sustainability with an eclectic program of arts and cultural events in the beautiful hinterland.
Maleny Music Festival (7–9 November): Enjoy three days of live music, jamming sessions, open mic opportunities, kids’ activities and on-site camping with hot showers.
Woodford Folk Festival (27 December – 1 January): For almost 40 years, a special event has celebrated culture, community and New Year’s Eve in an inclusive, magical environment. Head to Woodfordia for music performances, art exhibitions, street theatre, comedy gigs, film screenings, circus acts, cabaret performances, debates and forums, an environmental program, a children’s festival and much more.
Raising the heartrate
Mooloolaba Triathlon (8–9 March): When an event literally stops traffic in one of the region’s busiest areas, you know it matters. Competitors will thrash it out on the full triathlon, sprint triathlon and brand-new aquabike event with the stunning coastline as their backdrop.
Noosa Festival of Surfing (14–23 March): Sporting a snappy new logo as it enters its 34th year, this iconic festival features surfing comps, parties, bar takeovers, trivia, art exhibitions, live music, film screenings, markets, a fashion show, Pink Nose Revolution fundraising dinner, an annual paddle out with Layne Beachley and the world’s biggest Surfing Dog Championships.
Noosa Ultra-Trail (20–23 March): Navigate diverse and inspiring landscapes in a variety of event options ranging from the 100km signature event through five National Parks, State Forests and Reserves, to the 15km forest run.
Yandina Five’O’ (29 March): With a finish line perfectly positioned at Terella Brewing, there’s plenty of liquid incentive to complete this 50km, 36km, 21km or 12km trail run.
Coolum Wedge Body Surfing Festival (25–27 April) and IBSA Bodysurfing World Tour Finals (28 April – 7 May): Spend the ANZAC Day long weekend by the ocean celebrating the graceful sport of bodysurfing before checking out the BWT finals the following week.
Island Charity Swim (10 May): This important local event sees swarms of ocean swimmers circling Mudjimba Island to raise money for Sunshine Coast Special Schools.
Sunshine Coast Kokoda Challenge (10 May): Groups hike through forest and rivers to pay their respects to fallen ADF members and raise money for the Kokoda Youth Foundation.
KRASH SCX 2025 (23–25 May): Whether you’re here to compete or watch, you’re guaranteed an action-packed day of multi-action sports on the water and the skate ramp.
Sunday Creek Classic (24 May): Keep the wheels turning through bushland, cattle country and rainforest in this 120km almost-entirely-gravel cycling race.
ASICS Runaway Noosa Marathon (24 May) & SWIM NOOSA (25 May): Fitness enthusiasts can fill an entire weekend with adrenalin-pumping exercise. Join the marathon, half-marathon or shorter run on the Saturday and, if you’ve got any energy left in the tank, a salty ocean swim on the Sunday.
The Bloody Long Walk (1 June): Gather the troops and enjoy a scenic 35km trek for a worthy cause, starting at Coolum Beach and ending at Mooloolaba.
Noosa Enduro (5–6 July): Discover a different side of Noosa at this gravel and mountain biking festival in the hinterland. The diehards can sign up for the Classic 100km or updated gravel course, or take on a shorter ride, while kids can enjoy a 1.4km circuit.
Coastrek (18 July): Participate or pledge money to this important charity hike, where groups of women hike the local coastline to raise funds for Beyond Blue.
EVA Air Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival (3 August): Raise funds and test your endurance on this newly updated, predominantly flat, single-lap course boasting panoramic ocean views. Options include marathon, half-marathon, 10km and 5km events or jog the 2km with the kids and the pram.
IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast (12–14 September): This stunning seaside course will play host to hordes of competitors and spectators all weekend. Check out the Sunshine Coast Sport & Lifestyle Expo every day, the IRONKIDS Race on the Saturday and the main event on the Sunday.
Blackall100 (18 October): This endurance challenge will see competitors running 100km, 50km or 21km through the magnificent Blackhall Range. Hotfoot it through subtropical rainforest and bushland, past waterfalls and towards the famous Blackall Bell.
Noosa Triathlon (29 October – 2 November): As the biggest Olympic-distance triathlon in the world, you’ll be able to take in beach, town and hinterland in this epic event.