Sat 5 Dec
Rattler Christmas Community Fair
Celebrate Christmas with the whole community at the Rattler Christmas Community Fair at historic Gympie Station. This free family-friendly event showcases the…
What's on in Sunshine Coast — December 2026
Events, markets, live music and things worth making time for.
Sunshine Coast
December 2026
Rattler Christmas Community Fair headlines Sunshine Coast this December. We've pulled together 18 things worth your time — dated events, the beaches and walks locals rate, and where to eat. Hot, humid summer days average 28–30°C with afternoon storms — early starts, pools and air-con venues beat the midday heat.
Updated 3 Oct 2026
Top events this month
Sat 5 Dec
Mooloolaba Christmas Lights Cruise - Sunshine Coast Afloat
Step aboard Crusader 1 for a magical festive experience and celebrate the season on the water with Sunshine Coast Afloat's Christmas Lights Cruises. This one-h…
Tue 8 Dec
What’s in the Woods? | Christmas
9am (0-1 year olds) 10am (2-3 year olds) 11am (1-2 year olds) Festive fun is heading to 'What's In The Woods?' and the gnomes, animals and critters are getting…
Wed 9 Dec
The Best of Buble Christmas Experience
A spectacular show bringing together the best of Michael Bublé's hits and Christmas songs. Welsh born Front man Rhydian Lewis, leads his amazing 4-piece Band "…
Fri 11 Dec
Joe Furlonger: Horizons
Drawn from the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Collection, Joe Furlonger: Horizons surveys the celebrated Queensland artist's career ac…
Fri 11 Dec
Mirusia’s Christmas Celebration
A cherished Caloundra Christmas tradition, Mirusia returns to The Events Centre for a heartwarming concert of traditional carols, classical favourites, and nos…
Fri 11 Dec
Creedence Clearwater Collective
You're invited to join a night celebrating the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty, as they present the music of one of the world's most ico…
Sat 12 Dec
Carols on Kings proudly presented by Caloundra RSL
Proudly presented by Caloundra RSL at Kings Beach Amphitheatre, Caloundra. Christmas in Caloundra sounds like a few thousand people singing slightly out of tun…
Sat 12 Dec
Aussie World Christmas Spectacular
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Aussie World's Christmas Spectacular, for one unforgettable night of festive family fun on the Sunshine Coast.…
Sat 12 Dec
Stage and Screen Spectacular | Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra
Join Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra for a night of movie and musical blockbusters! They'll perform music from Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Love Actua…
Sat 12 Dec
Tonight’s Guest: Rove McManus
Rove McManus has had over 25 years of talk show hosting under his belt. That's a lot of talking as well as chatting, conversing, interviewing, chin wagging and…
Sun 13 Dec
The Greatest Christmas Show
The Greatest Christmas Show returns in 2026, bigger and better than ever. Australia's number one family Christmas event is back, and it has never shone brighte…
Browse December by date
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | |||||
| 1 | 2 |
What's on this weekend
Sat 5 Dec
Rattler Christmas Community Fair
Celebrate Christmas with the whole community at the Rattler Christmas Community Fair at historic Gympie Station. This free family-friendly event showcases the…
Sat 5 Dec
Mooloolaba Christmas Lights Cruise - Sunshine Coast Afloat
Step aboard Crusader 1 for a magical festive experience and celebrate the season on the water with Sunshine Coast Afloat's Christmas Lights Cruises. This one-h…
Make December fit your dates.
- G'day! I know Sunshine Coast pretty well — tell me when you're here and who you're with, or pick one of these 🐾
Markets, food and live music
Rattler Christmas Community Fair
Celebrate Christmas with the whole community at the Rattler Christmas Community Fair at historic...
Mooloolaba Christmas Lights Cruise - Sunshine Coast Afloat
What’s in the Woods? | Christmas
The Best of Buble Christmas Experience
🗓️ Summer school holidays (QLD) — Summer school holidays (QLD) begin 2026-12-12 — expect busier beaches, booked-out activities, and family crowds.
Things to do in Sunshine Coast this December
Beaches
Sand, surf and swim spots — all free.
Maroochydore
Wide patrolled beach on the Sunshine Coast strip with developed foreshore, backed by... FreeFamily
Alexandra Headland beach
Sheltered sandy beach backed by the headland, patrolled and developed, with coastal... FreeFamily
Mooloolaba
Sheltered beachfront village with headland views, patrolled swimming beach backed by... FreeFamily
Point Cartwright Beach
Headland-backed beach with dramatic coastal views; popular day-trip spot on the Suns... Free
Walks & Nature
Free hinterland and coastal trails.
Mount Coolum Track
Mount Coolum's a proper little gem—just over half a kilometre to the summit, but don... Free0.52 km
Rainforest Loop
The Rainforest Loop is a lovely little 1.4-kilometre circuit that'll have you wander... Free1.4 km
Great Walk
The Great Walk through Mapleton National Park is a ripper of a stroll that'll have y... FreeClass 2 — Easy6.48 km
Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk
This one's a ripper through Mapleton National Park—8.46 kilometres of mixed track th... FreeClass 2 — Easy8.46 km
Coming another month?
See what's on before you lock in your dates.
What's on nearby
Planning your December visit
Event details can change, so check before you go. Add anything you like to your plan and it stays in one place.
Noosa National Park sits on the headland beside Noosa Heads, with a coastal walking track past rocky headlands, bays and lookouts that begins near Hastings Street.
Hot, humid summer days average 28–30°C with afternoon storms — early starts, pools and air-con venues beat the midday heat.
Is Sunshine Coast worth visiting in December?
Yes. December is one of the better months for Sunshine Coast, and there's plenty on including Rattler Christmas Community Fair, Mooloolaba Christmas Lights Cruise - Sunshine Coast Afloat, What’s in the Woods? | Christmas.
How many days do you need in Sunshine 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 Sunshine Coast busy in December?
Busier than usual — December overlaps school holidays, so book stays and popular activities ahead.
What's on in Sunshine Coast in December?
Highlights include Rattler Christmas Community Fair, Mooloolaba Christmas Lights Cruise - Sunshine Coast Afloat, What’s in the Woods? | Christmas — 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.