Spring on the Gold Coast: Our top school holiday picks for 2026

Spring on the Gold Coast is pure magic, with bright sunny days, fresh ocean breezes, and that sweet spot of perfect weather before the summer humidity hits. If you’re looking to fill the holiday calendar without the stress, we’ve done the planning for you. From meeting quokkas and watching fireworks over the surf to coding camps and hands-on art pop-ups, here are our favourite Gold Coast activities to keep the family entertained.

 

Activities for creative and curious kids

Mini Makers Tote Bag Workshops

Date: September 29 – October 3, 2026
Location: The Strand, Coolangatta
A hands-on design workshop where kids experiment with colors, compositions, and patterns to paint their own cotton tote bag to keep.

Kids Take Over

Date: September 14 – September 26, 2026
Location: HOTA (Home of the Arts)
A vibrant festival for young adventurers featuring immersive installations, live performances, free daily activities, and creative workshops.

Tech-Ed Academy Holiday Camps

Date: September 21 – September 30, 2026
Location: Tech-Ed Academy, Ashmore
Full-day STEM camps covering Roblox and Minecraft coding, 3D printing, spy gadgets, physical science, and server play.

Code Camp Spring School Holiday Programs

Date: September 19 – October 3, 2026
Location: Various locations across the Gold Coast
Kids aged 5–13 can build AI projects, code real drones, or enjoy screen-free crafts like crochet, macramé, and miniature house building.

BLEACH Festival

Date: October 1 – October 11, 2026
Location: HOTA, Home of the Arts
An 11-day cultural takeover of the HOTA precinct filled with live music, contemporary dance, interactive installations, and mind-bending art.

 

Activities for active and sporty kids

MyFirstGym Coomera Spring School Holiday Program

Date: September 21 – October 2, 2026
Location: Coomera
Action-packed days filled with themed obstacle courses, team games, and movement activities to keep kids burning energy in a safe environment.

MyFirstGym Robina Spring School Holiday Program

Date: September 21 – October 2, 2026
Location: Robina
Daily active sessions focusing on Gymnastics, Parkour, Ninja Warrior challenges, Nerf battles, and fitness fun.

Little Lifesavers

Date: September 19 – October 4, 2026
Location: Gold Coast Beaches
Surf Life Saving Queensland’s beach safety program giving kids aged 5–12 a fun and supportive introduction to lifesaving skills.

Rackley Swimming School Holiday Program

Date: September 21 – October 2, 2026
Location: Rackley Swimming Pools across the Gold Coast
Intensive 30-minute daily swim lessons running Monday to Friday to boost stroke development and water confidence fast.

 

Activities for theatre and entertainment lovers

Rock on Ice

Date: September 18 – October 9, 2026
Location: Paradise Resort, Surfers Paradise
An electrifying ice show featuring world-class figure skaters, aerial stunts, dynamic choreography, and classic rock hits.

Flicks & Fireworks

Date: September 27, 2026
Location: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Settle onto the sand for a movie under the stars, complete with a short intermission for a fireworks display over the ocean at 8:00 PM.

Flame BBQ & Music Festival

Date: September 19, 2026 (1:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Location: Jimboomba Park
A big country day out featuring gourmet BBQ food trucks, live country music, line dancing, market stalls, and unlimited kids’ rides.

 

 

Activities for nature lovers and outdoor explorers

Meet the Quokkas at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Date: Launches September 18 – October 5, 2026
Location: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
A brand-new animal encounter experience allowing families to get up close and interact with Australia’s happiest native marsupials.

NaturallyGC Spring School Holiday Program

Date: September 19 – October 2, 2026
Location: Various Gold Coast locations
Free, nature-inspired activities including guided bushwalks, wildlife shows, eco-crafts, and interactive marine creature encounters.

 

Worth the road trip (Rest of SE QLD)

Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA

Date: August 1 – September 27, 2026
Location: Under the Big Top, Eagle Farm (Brisbane)
High-flying acrobatics, bold slapstick comedy, and classic circus artistry live under the Big Top.

Pinky McFluff Needs Help

Date: September 30, 2026 (10:00 AM)
Location: Kingston Butter Factory, Kingston
A fully improvised musical comedy show starring Jenny Wynter where kids help create the story on the spot.

Spring into Creativity at Museum of Brisbane

Date: September 19 – October 5, 2026
Location: Museum of Brisbane, City Hall
Free and low-cost drop-in art activities, craft stations, and creative workshops in the heart of Brisbane.

Spring Holidays at Trevena Glen

Date: September 19 – October 3, 2026
Location: Trevena Glen Farm, Mount Samson
Feed farm animals, meet friendly ponies, ride the miniature train, and enjoy outdoor family fun in the hinterland.

 

 


For more school holiday activities, check out our HUGE SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE – covering Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane


 

By Angela Sutherland
After spending many years hustling stories on busy editorial desks around the world, Angela is now mum of two little ones and owner/editor at Kids on the Coast / Kids in the City. She is an atrocious cook and loves cutting shapes to 90s dance music.

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