What's on in Gold Coast — October 2026

Events, markets, live music and things worth making time for.

UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach headlines Gold Coast this October. We've pulled together 18 things worth your time — dated events, the beaches and walks locals rate, and where to eat. Spring warms to 24–26°C with long dry spells — prime beach and outdoor-event season before the summer humidity.

Updated 3 Oct 2026

Top events this month

UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach
Sun 4 Oct

UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach

3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

Fight day is back at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach, with UFC 332 showing Live & Loud on the big screens. Natália Silva and Wang Cong go head to head for the Women…

DUSK at La Luna
Sun 4 Oct

DUSK at La Luna

Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

As the sun goes down, the La Luna comes alive. Following the incredible energy of the last DRIFT event, DUSK returns for another unforgettable afternoon by the…

NRL Grand Final Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach
Sun 4 Oct

NRL Grand Final Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach

3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

One premiership and one big night at The Pig. Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach is showing the NRL Grand Final Live & Loud, with all the action on the big screens. Th…

Messy Play at Historic Rivermill: Halloween Disney and Friends
Tue 6 Oct

Messy Play at Historic Rivermill: Halloween Disney and Friends

950 Beaudesert Nerang Road, Mount Nathan

Historic Rivermill on the banks of the Coomera River in the Gold Coast Hinterland hosts Messy Play : Halloween Disney and Friends friends , a sensory play sess…

Locals and Hospo Open Mic Night - Den Devine Broadbeach
Tue 6 Oct

Locals and Hospo Open Mic Night - Den Devine Broadbeach

15 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Come and join them every Tuesday for Open Mic night, hosted by a rotation of talented individuals including Joseph Brown, Alanah Stone, and Steve Savage. With…

Gold Coast Titans All Schools
Wed 7 Oct

Gold Coast Titans All Schools

1 Sports Drive, Runaway Bay

The Gold Coast Titans All Schools (GCTAS) is the world's largest touch football tournament, held annually each October at the Gold Coast Performance Centre and…

Burgers and Beats at Den Devine Broadbeach
Wed 7 Oct

Burgers and Beats at Den Devine Broadbeach

15 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Burgers and Beats. Come along for an unforgettable mid-week music event at Broadbeach's prime spot for live music and late-night cravings! Revel in a blend of…

70s and 80s Singalong Paint and Sip by Paint Juicy in Currumbin
Thu 8 Oct

70s and 80s Singalong Paint and Sip by Paint Juicy in Currumbin

165 Duringan Street, Currumbin

Paint Juicy hosts a 1970s and 1980s singalong paint and sip session in Currumbin on the southern Gold Coast. Guests gather for an evening of guided painting se…

Adventure Reels Film Tour 2026 Gold Coast
Thu 8 Oct

Adventure Reels Film Tour 2026 Gold Coast

135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise

The Adventure Reels Tour is Australia's only homegrown adventure film tour — bringing the planet's most electrifying action sport films to the big screen. Ever…

Whale Watching
Spirit of Gold Coast

Whale Watching

Set sail with Spirit of Gold Coast for an incredible whale watching adventure on the Gold Coast. You'll spot these magnificent oc…

Browse October by date

October 2026 ›
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
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What's on this weekend

UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach
Sun 4 Oct

UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach

3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

Fight day is back at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach, with UFC 332 showing Live & Loud on the big screens. Natália Silva and Wang Cong go head to head for the Women…

DUSK at La Luna
Sun 4 Oct

DUSK at La Luna

Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

As the sun goes down, the La Luna comes alive. Following the incredible energy of the last DRIFT event, DUSK returns for another unforgettable afternoon by the…

NRL Grand Final Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach
Sun 4 Oct

NRL Grand Final Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach

3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

One premiership and one big night at The Pig. Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach is showing the NRL Grand Final Live & Loud, with all the action on the big screens. Th…

Must do this October

See more
Whale Watching
Spirit of Gold Coast

Whale Watching

Set sail with Spirit of Gold Coast for an incredible whale watching adventure on the Gold Coast. You'll spot these magnificent oc…

Make October fit your dates.

  1. G'day! I know Gold Coast pretty well — tell me when you're here and who you're with, or pick one of these 🐾

Markets, food and live music

UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach

UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach

Fight day is back at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach, with UFC 332 showing Live & Loud on the big scr...

Sun 4 Oct · 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
DUSK at La Luna Sun 4 Oct · Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
NRL Grand Final Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach Sun 4 Oct · 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Messy Play at Historic Rivermill: Halloween Disney and Friends Tue 6 Oct · 950 Beaudesert Nerang Road, Mount Nathan
🗓️ Spring school holidays (QLD) — Spring school holidays (QLD) run 2026-09-19 to 2026-10-05 — expect busier beaches, booked-out activities, and family crowds.

Things to do in Gold Coast this October

Beaches

Sand, surf and swim spots — all free.

Walks & Nature

Free hinterland and coastal trails.

Where To Eat

Local favourites near the action.

Coming another month?

See what's on before you lock in your dates.

What's on nearby

Planning your October visit

Event details can change, so check before you go. Add anything you like to your plan and it stays in one place.

Humpback whales migrate past the Gold Coast from June to early November, with the best sightings September–October. Whale-watching boats run daily from Main Beach.

Spring warms to 24–26°C with long dry spells — prime beach and outdoor-event season before the summer humidity.

Is Gold Coast worth visiting in October?

Yes. October is one of the better months for Gold Coast — it's whale season, and there's plenty on including UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach, DUSK at La Luna, NRL Grand Final Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach.

How many days do you need in Gold Coast?

Two to three days covers the beaches, a hinterland walk and the month's main events. Stretch to four or five with kids or a slower pace — the planner below builds it around your dates.

Is Gold Coast busy in October?

Busier than usual — October overlaps school holidays, so book stays and popular activities ahead.

What's on in Gold Coast in October?

Highlights include UFC 332 Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach, DUSK at La Luna, NRL Grand Final Live & Loud at Pig 'N' Whistle Broadbeach — the dated calendar above has the full list with times.

Explore more

Found something worth doing?

Add it to your plan, or ask Sunny to build the rest of the day around it.