Plan your next escape around these Sunshine Coast festivals

Where: Amamoor State Forest

Don your akubra and join the thousands who flock to the bushland of Amamoor State Forest with their camping gear in tow to celebrate four days of blues, roots and country.

Spread out over 50 hectares of parkland, Gympie Music Muster is as much about getting back to nature as it is about the music. Think campfire cooking and whiffs of fresh bush eucalypt in between exploring a musical collage of traditional and modern country through to folk, bluegrass and bush poetry. This year’s lineup is already packed with big names including Beccy Cole, Kaylee Bell, James Johnston, James Blundell, Lee Kernaghan and many more.

Here’s what you need to check out at this year’s muster.

Noosa Jazz Festival: 29 August – 7 September 2025

Where: Noosa

The sweet sound of jazz takes over concert theatres, river cruises, restaurants, bars and parks during Noosa Jazz Festival. Across nine days – including the flair of the official Noosa Jazz Party – leading Australian and international jazz musicians will come together to share their talent, and you’re invited to come along too.

Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Festival: 19 – 21 September 2025

Where: Kandanga

Three days, three nights, over 120 artists. In its thirteenth year, Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Festival is a soiree in the Noosa Hinterland you won’t soon forget. Camp under the stars on a 100-acre property in the Mary Valley, and watch musicians belt out rock, blues, soul and roots from beneath bunya pines and cedar trees at main stages set in a natural amphitheatre. Part carnival, part Woodstock, it’s a weekend the whole family can enjoy, including the kids.

Big Pineapple Music Festival: 25 October 2025

Where: Woombye

While details are light, we can expect a lineup of local Aussie acts and a day of good vibes. Stay tuned for more details.

Sunshine Coast arts and culture festivals

Noosa Festival of Surfing: TBC March 2025        

Where: Noosa

Surfing is a way of life in the beach hamlet of Noosa, so it’s a fitting host of Australia’s largest surfing festival. Share the stoke in this celebration of surf culture, alongside the competitions there’ll be art, live music, beach yoga, film and an important focus on environmental awareness. Of course, the much-loved Dog Surfing Championship returns too.

Australian Body Art Festival: TBC April 2025

Where: Eumundi

Prepare for a vibrant weekend as a ‘time travel’ inspired body art competition takes over the Sunshine Coast. Australia’s premier body painting event brings artists from across the country and overseas to compete and showcase their talent in full body painting, special effects and face painting. There’ll also be wearable art, surfboard art, street performers and markets.  

Where: Goomeri

Pumpkins aren’t just meant to be eaten at Goomeri Pumpkin Festival. Roll them, toss them, dress up, join in a street parade and prepare for entertainment all day long at one of Queensland’s quirkiest events. There’s plenty of eating too, with homemade pumpkin scones, soups, sausages and more available for the feasting.

Queensland Garden Show: TBC July 2025

Where: Nambour

Flex your green thumb at Queensland Garden Expo: a four-day Sunshine Coast festival that attracts over 40,000 gardeners to attend lectures and demonstrations, landscape displays, nursery exhibits and more. It’ll be fun for the whole family, with food, entertainment and free kids activities across the weekend.

NOOSA ALIVE!: 18 – 27 July 2025

Where: Noosa

There’s no such thing as the winter blues in Noosa unless you’re talking about the sparkling waters that surround this coastal hamlet. And perhaps the musical lineup of NOOSA ALIVE! – a beloved annual arts and cultural festival held each July – which offers everything from live music to theatre and comedy, circus, opera and long lunches.

The Rangebow Festival: TBC August 2025

Where: Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Be part of a beautiful celebration of community, culture, diversity and creativity during The Rangebow Festival. Over four days, hinterland towns Maleny, Montville, Flaxton and Mapleton welcome you to enjoy experiences that range from opera premieres to drag and cabarets, along with First Nations gourmet dining experiences.

Sunshine Coast food festivals 

GourMay Mary Valley: May 2025

Where: Mary Valley

Throughout May, GourMay Mary Valley spotlights the region’s farmers and producers, and with farm tours, open days, dinners, workshops, films and music across the month, it’s a feast for all the senses. Mark your calendar for the major Festival Day on 25 May where cooking demonstrations, competitions and stalls allow you to taste your way through Mary Valley. Or, grab your tickets and doll up for the closing Gala Dinner on 1 June.

Noosa Eat + Drink: 29 May – 1 June 2025

Where: Noosa

Noosa Eat + Drink returns for four mouth-watering days and over 75 events to taste your way through – and it’s one of Queensland’s best food festivals. From the beach to the hinterland, Noosa’s flavours are on show, serving foodies another course of unique events featuring guest chefs, winemakers and brewers. 2025 will bring back much-loved events including the sparkling opening night party on Noosa Main Beach, as well as adding a new-look festival village and two exciting new long lunch locations. Whether you want to tuck into a degustation or learn new skills in a masterclass, tickets for some events are already on sale with the full program to launch in March.

The Curated Plate: 25 July – 3 August 2025

Where: Sunshine Coast

Raise your glass to celebrate the local produce, producers, chefs and food masterminds of the Sunshine Coast during the award-winning food festival, The Curated Plate. Across ten decadent days, the Coast’s best throw open the doors to local restaurants, tourism attractions, breweries, distilleries and farms, offering a delightful taste the Sunshine Coast’s food and beverage scene. From Asian-inspired food festivals to bush-tucker-fueled sailing trips, there’s something for every palate. 

Got your eye on some of these Sunshine Coast festivals? Start planning your trip with this long weekend guide - and check out these great holiday deals.