Looking for a wholesome family weekend? Big Love Festival returns to Eudlo this September with free entry for kids, pet blessings, and cultural fun.
If you are looking to treat your family to a weekend filled with positivity, rich culture, and heartfelt connection, mark your calendars. From 11–13 September 2026, the serene 160-acre rainforest surrounding the Chenrezig Institute in Eudlo will come alive with the annual Big Love Festival.
Family exploring Chenrezig Institute at Big Love Festival Sunshine Coast. Credit: Vivian Gas Perotto
Designed as a welcoming, family-friendly event, the three-day festival gives local parents a beautiful opportunity to introduce their children to Tibetan culture through vibrant music, creative art, delicious food, and mindful play.
An immersive taste of a beautiful culture
Expanding your child’s worldview and celebrating different traditions is one of the sweetest parts of parenting, and Big Love Festival makes it completely accessible.
Throughout the weekend, kids can marvel at the Gyumed Tantric Monastery monks as they painstakingly construct an intricate Sand Mandala, carefully placing individual grains of coloured sand to build a symbolic piece of art. Families can also witness the monks’ famous Lion’s Roar harmonic chanting and take part in interactive Tibetan music and dance workshops led by artists Topgyal and Tsering.
Performers in traditional Tibetan dress at Big Love Festival Sunshine Coast. Credit: Vivian Gasperotto
An uplifting live music lineup, featuring renowned Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal alongside local favourites Andrea Kirwin and Josh Lovegrove, will keep the positive energy flowing across the rainforest grounds.
Fun for little ones and furry family members
Parents will be thrilled to know the festival features a dedicated Dharma Kids Zone tailored specifically for children aged 5 to 13. The space offers a gentle, engaging mix of creative crafts and age-appropriate mindfulness activities, giving kids a fun environment to explore self-expression and calmness.
Family crafting at Big Love Festival, Sunshine Coast. Credit: Vivian Gasperotto
And the family fun doesn’t stop with humans; your four-legged family members are invited too! In one of the festival’s most unique and heartwarming traditions, families can bring their pets along to receive a daily animal blessing from the Chenrezig Institute Sangha.
Thoughtful cost-of-living relief for parents
Organisers have worked hard to ensure the festival reflects its core values of compassion and community, particularly given current budget pressures on families.
To make the weekend as affordable as possible:
- Kids and teens under 18 enter completely FREE.
- Every ticket includes a meal. Each adult day pass or three-day ticket comes with a meal included for each day of admission, taking the stress out of feeding the family on-site.
A wide variety of wholesome, global vegetarian dishes will be available throughout the weekend, alongside fresh chai and ethical market stalls.
Learn about Tibetan culture at Big Love Festival, Sunshine Coast. Family crafting at Big Love Festival, Sunshine Coast. Credit: Vivian Gasperotto
Essential event details
Whether you pop in for a single day or stay for the whole weekend, no prior experience with meditation or Buddhism is needed, just bring an open heart and a sense of curiosity.
- When: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026
- Where: Chenrezig Institute, Eudlo (Sunshine Coast Hinterland)
- Tickets: Under 18s are FREE. Day passes are $50 (includes 1 meal) and 3-day passes are $125 (includes 3 meals).
- Bookings: Secure your tickets online at chenrezig.com.au/biglovefestival.
For more ideas of things to do, visit our WHAT’S ON CALENDAR
