HOTA is bringing the soundtrack of Love Actually to the stage in Christmas Actually.
HOTA is bringing the soundtrack of Love Actually to the stage in Christmas Actually.
What is Christmas without watching the classic Christmas movies? Love Actually burst into our lives in 2003 (two decades ago, actually!) and has been stealing our hearts every December ever since.
It’s the movie we return to year after year, not because we don’t know what happens, but because we do and we want to relive every airport reunion, every awkward cue-card confession, every wildly enthusiastic school performance all over again. That’s the magic Christmas Actually taps into, only this time it’s all happening right in front of us, live on stage.
If your idea of the perfect December night involves belting Mariah at the top of your lungs, ugly-crying to Joni Mitchell, and laughing so hard you nearly spill your eggnog, then wrap yourself in tinsel and head straight to HOTA on Friday 19th December for Christmas Actually.
Presented by HOTA and The Little Red Company, Christmas Actually is the ultimate silly-season starter. It’s a sparkling stage celebration of the music of Love Actually, the movie that convinced an entire generation that all you need is love, a grand gesture at the airport, and occasionally a lobster in the Nativity play.
This 90-minute festive feast takes every magic musical moment from the beloved film and performs it live, with a rockstar band of Australia’s top musos and vocalists. Think Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, Joni Mitchell’s heart-shattering “Both Sides Now,” the sultry ache of Norah Jones, the sunshine harmonies of The Beach Boys and even a cheeky Beatles tune or two. It’s the soundtrack you’ve played on repeat every December, now performed live.
Leading this festive charge is cabaret legend Libby O’Donovan OAM, whose blend of powerhouse vocals, razor wit and Christmas energy could make even the grumpiest Grinch tap their toes. With a star-studded ensemble like Luke Kennedy (The Voice Australia) and Irena Lysiuk (Round the Twist) as well as a killer band, they’ll turn nostalgia into a night to remember. Expect comedy. Expect charm. Expect at least one moment where you whisper to your friend, “I’m not crying, you’re crying.”
This show doesn’t just lean into the silly season, it’s like an overexcited kid on Christmas morning. By the time the finale rolls around, you’ll be feeling more festive than a shopping-centre Santa on overtime.
So whether you’re a diehard Love Actually devotee or the person who quietly admits they only watch it for the soundtrack (no judgement), this one’s for you. Get your tickets, gather your people, dig out your jazziest Christmas jumper and prepare to sleigh your way into the holidays.
There’s only one performance on the Gold Coast, and it’s the second last stop on the Christmas Actually tour. You don’t want to be the only one not rockin’ around the Christmas tree, so book your tickets here!
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday 19th December 7:30pm
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY HOTA
It’s beginning to look a lot like… free festive fun!
Get ready to jingle your way from Coomera to Coolangatta and all the way till Christmas with the City of Gold Coast’s lineup of dashing festive events. Then, a host of spectacular New Year’s Eve events to back it up!
Here’s where you can get amongst allll the advent action on the Coast this year. Ho ho hope you can make it.
Mayor’s Christmas Carols presented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks
City of Gold Coast’s Mayor’s Christmas Carols returns for its 14th year, bringing two magical nights of festive fun to HOTA.
Enjoy live performances from Gold Coast pop star Ricki-Lee, toddler techno favourite Lenny Pearce, and the Looney Tunes Christmas Show, plus a visit from Santa. To top it all off, breathtaking fireworks to close out an epic evening of hard-core carolling.
Where: HOTA Outdoor Stage & Parklands, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: Gates open at 4pm, Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December 2025
Christmas Flicks & Fireworks
You can’t get much more Gold Coast than watching a Christmas movie on the sand with the ocean breeze in your hair and fireworks lighting up the sky. Head to Surfers Paradise Beach for Christmas Flicks & Fireworks, a free weekend of festive fun under the stars.
Wander the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets from 4pm, then kick back for a Christmas movie at 7pm, before the night ends with a spectacular fireworks finale at 8:30pm. Bring your picnic rug, grab some snacks, and settle in for a coastal Christmas celebration that’s pure Gold Coast magic.
Where: Surfers Paradise Beach, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday 12 & Saturday 13 December
Cooly Carols
Don’t say you’ve never experienced THE Cooly Carols?! One of the jolliest Christmas carol extravaganzas on the Coast.
It has families dashing from all distances to experience its legendary spectacle held at Queen Elizabeth Park.
Enjoy an array of fabulous festivities, from live performances of your most-loved Christmas carols, a skydiving Santa, a delicious assortment of sweet and savoury food trucks, and a dazzling fireworks display.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Park, 60 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
When: Sunday 14 December, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Christmas in Broadbeach
Broadbeach Mall is gearing up for a unique Christmas transformation! Set your countdown calendar for December 15 for the grand reveal of the soon-to-be HQ of festive fun – all for your merrymaking pleasure.
Think gingerbread decorating, Christmas crafts, storytime, and tons more free kids’ entertainment! An ideal way to fill up the school holiday calendar with festive cheer!
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
When: Monday 15 to Sunday 21 December
Christmas in Coomera
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Coomera! Get ready for a weekend packed with free family fun, festive tunes and plenty of cheer. Think DJ dance parties with snow machines, games and prizes, pop-up performances from the Hip Hop Santas, and a 9-hole North Pole Putt Putt course for all ages.
Catch Santa on stage throughout the event, spot roving candy canes and Rudolf, snap a pic with the Grinch, or get your face painted by Santa’s little helpers. There’ll also be photo moments galore, from Santa’s sleigh to his throne, plus food trucks and market stalls for those last-minute Christmas treats.
Where: Coomera Indoor Sports Centre forecourt, 35 Beattie Road, Coomera
When: Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 December, 2pm – 8pm
New Year’s Eve
Say farewell to the festive season, and ring in the brand new year with ‘a bang’ with everyone’s favourite time-honoured NYE tradition… fireworks!
There’ll be a plethora of GC park part-ays where we can convene for ‘oohs’ and ‘aaahs’ a plenty. Catch the various fireworks displays, with family friendly shows slated for Broadbeach, Coomera and Surfers Paradise at 8pm, or Coolangatta at 9pm – before they fire again for the big shebang as the clock officially strikes 12 on 2025.
Fireworks: Kurrawa Beachfront, Broadbeach (8pm & midnight), Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta (9pm & midnight), Surfers Paradise Beach (8pm & midnight), Coomera 8pm.
Community Celebration: Coomera Sports Park, Coomera (6pm to 8pm).
When: Wednesday 31 December
And that’s a wrap on another cracker season of fun-filled GC festivities for 2025, folks. Which is just as well – after all that we’ll need to channel our inner Dad à la Boxing Day and “rest our eyes” in front of the telly for a wee bit.
Words by Belinda Symons
STORY SPONSORED BY CITY OF GOLD COAST
The best places for human and fur baby Santa snaps.
It’s that time again, Gold Coasters (how is it already Christmas?). Time to grab your crew – humans and furry friends included – for that all-important Santa snap.
Yep, Santa’s back on the Coast and ready for his close-up. Here’s where you can book in for your festive photos, whether it’s family, friends, or four-legged fluffballs. Say cheese, say Christmas, say ho ho ho!
Visit Santa’s Golden Palace filled with golden treasures for all to enjoy until Christmas Eve. Pacific Fair hosts Santa photos for everyone including pet photos for pictures with your fur babies and Sensitive Santa, an experience with dimmed lights and no crowds. Book here.
Where: Santa’s Golden Palace, Ground Floor outside Myer, Broadbeach
Sanctuary Cove is getting seriously festive this year, and Santa’s front and centre! Snap a photo with the big guy in a beautifully themed setup that’s perfect for family memories, and yes, pets are welcome during dedicated sessions. Bring your own camera or phone and capture the magic alongside Santa, Mrs Claus, and even Rudolph.
When & Where: Friday 12 & Thursday 18 December, 6:30–8:30pm – Santa Sleigh, The Promenade, Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 December, 11am–2pm (Pet Sessions 1–2pm) – Shop 41E, next to Latitude Clothing, Quay Street
Step into a Christmas wonderland at Australia Fair with Santa’s Butterfly House, a magical photo experience for the whole family. Snap a festive pic with Santa surrounded by fluttering butterflies and all the joy of the season. It’s a truly unique way to make holiday memories you won’t forget. From Saturday 15th – Friday 21st December. Find out more here.
Where: 42 Marine Parade, Southport
Embark on a magical Christmas journey at Santaland! Jump on the Santaland Express, create festive art with Santa’s helpers, send wish-lists to the North Pole, and cherish the moment with Santa for an enchanting family photo. Plus, don’t forget your furry friends! Santa Paws welcomes your four-legged family members for a festive snapshot with Santa, Limited dates, so get in quick! Santaland photos are available Saturday and Sunday throughout November, then daily until Christmas Eve. Book here.
Where: Santaland, Myer near the Toy section, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach
Get your portraits taken at Stocklands Burleigh Heads from Saturday 29th November until Christmas Eve. There’ll be times for Paws & Claus, Sensory Santa and traditional Santa photos. You can book online here.
Where: Santa’s Beach Shack, outside Aldi, West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads
Gold Coast Santa Photo Sessions are 5-10 minutes per shoot with Santa, your family and your pets! Depending on your session you will receive 4-10 high resolution digital images per session. Please read the full terms and conditions before booking. Available on various dates from November 15th on the beach at Main Beach, Greenmount, Miami and Currumbin. These photo shoots are super popular. You have the option for a Castaway or Luxe Coastal theme, or Grinchify your photo package (not for the faint hearted)! You can book your Santa Beach photo here.
Keep the Christmas tradition alive at The Strand in Coolangatta and snap a professional Santa photo to treasure for years to come. From Saturday 6 December until Christmas Eve, families and friends can meet Santa Claus himself in a festive setup that makes holiday memories extra special. Booking is quick and easy, so you can spend less time waiting and more time soaking up the Christmas magic. You can book online here.
Tis’ the season to be making magical memories. Create a Christmas memory and book your photo with Santa at Westfield Coomera until Christmas Eve. This year, Westfield is offering a range of photography sessions to suit everyone, including Sensitive Santa, Baby’s First Christmas, Mrs Claus and Pet photos. You can book online here.
Where: 103 Foxwell Rd, Coomera
Words by Belinda Symons
Cheers to the freaking weekend….and weekdays.
If there’s one thing we never grow tired of, it’s a cracking cocktail and lucky for us, the GC is a melting pot of masterful cocktails guaranteed to leave you shooketh.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these spots are a must-visit for anyone who loves a tipple (or five), tried and tested by the team because, you know, we had to complete our due diligence. From beachy vibes to moody speakeasies, here’s the scoop on where to sip the best cocktails in town listed north to south.
It’s where Mediterranean-inspired decor, an atmosphere as light as the sea breeze itself, and world-class service collide to create an unmissable destination for cocktail hour. Need we say more? This little gem at Sanctuary Cove is the gift that keeps on giving. Earning a reputation as a cocktail connoisseur’s haven within its first week, the initial hype has not only endured – it continues to soar. If you’re up the north end (or even if you’re not) – just go.
Where: Shop 38c, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
Flirt with breathtaking views of the Gold Coast to the Hinterland, with a cracking array of cocktails to choose from at The Exhibitionist Bar. Sitting high on the HOTA Gallery rooftop, their specialty cocktails are inspired and expertly curated, with each drink drawing on major art exhibitions. Naturally, the cocktails change with each new major exhibition, meaning you’ll never run out of reasons to pop in for a sip.
Where: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
It’s bold, it’s quirky, and it’s guaranteed to get your cogs turning. Standing as Australia’s only steampunk-themed bar, Steampunk in Surfers Paradise is a one-of-a-kind spot that blends innovation, nostalgia, and a whole lot of fun. Step inside and you’re instantly transported, with gears, gadgets, and glowing lights, to set the scene. The adventurous cocktail menu is packed with playful creations (yes, even fishbowl cocktails), served with a dash of theatre and a splash of mischief.
Where: 3113 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Asking us to “find the red palm tree”– challenge accepted! We all know any restaurant or watering hole at The Star Gold Coast never misses a beat, and Veladora is no exception. This place is actual cocktail nirvana, so take it from us: leave the car at home- you won’t be able to stop at one. Watching the mixologists in action is half the fun, and don’t even get us started on the vibe, thanks to the Mezcal-inspired speakeasy design.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Hold onto your highball glasses, Gold Coast, because Six-Tricks is redefining the local distillery scene one cocktail, rum, or whisky at a time (okay, maybe more than one). This two-million-dollar masterpiece is state-of-the-art with a spacious indoor bar and sunset deck perf for sipping the night away – and even a private cask hall! You’ll be left shaken, not stirred, in the best possible way.
Where: 3 Brightlands Ct, Mermaid Waters
Mermaid Beach locals will tell you that if you’re frothing for a quality cocktail (us – always), it’s Cantina for the win. This pint-sized neighbourhood tapas bar proves that good things come in small packages, and by good things, we mean cocktails. Forming the perfect pair with sibling Piatto Italian restaurant right next door, line your tum with Spanish-style bar bites so that your sneaky cocktail can turn into two…or five….
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
If you haven’t stepped aboard The Cambus Wallace, are you even a Gold Coaster? Serving up the finest classic cocktails, international rums and whiskeys, and heartwarming food, the only thing moodier than the dark hues of the boat-themed bar is you if you don’t sample at least one of their tipples. There’s a reason (AKA epic cocktails) that it always gets a nod on our lists!
Where: 4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Perched above its sister venue, Norté, Sueño Rooftop offers a dreamy, Latin American-inspired rooftop escape in Nobby Beach. You can say hola to crisp, Latin-inspired cocktails, delicioso snacks, and sea breeze flowing in from just a few streets away. Spanish escape? Yes! Long-haul flight? No!
Where: 2217 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Looking for an absolute beachfront cocktail tapas bar? Look no further – this.is.it. Serving up an exciting fusion of coastal charm, inventive cocktails, and sumptuous tapas, it’s a winner, winner, cocktail dinner. Crafted by expert mixologists, the cocktail list boasts an array of innovative libations, from classic martinis to exotic tropical creations, so you’re assured a perfect pairing for every palate and mood.
Where: Level 1/293 The Esplanade, Miami
Distil our beating hearts! With a fresh curation of concoctions that could coax Sleeping Beauty herself from her 100-year slumber, this magical albeit not-so-faraway Miami-based fave has earned quite the rap for its bewitching, fable-inspired concoctions. If you’re after something extra spesh that you can’t find at every other cocktail bar, welcome. Extra points for everything from syrups to spirits made on site.
Where: 45 Lemana Lane, Miami
Welcome to Palm Springs! Well, almost- you’ll be fooled by the chic ambience and vibrant aesthetic. Nestled in the heart of Burleigh Heads, The Malibu Racquet Club is the perfect spot for sunset sips and pre-dinner drinks. Hello, double-parked margaritas. Patrons can enjoy the beautiful southern GC breezes while seated outside, or opt for a cozy booth or the bar inside. Everything from the cocktail list to the paired-back decor is curated to delight summer-lovers. Yes please!
Where: 1740 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Rosella’s has been serving up pure Australiana vibes to bustling Burleigh since January 2019— and clearly doing something right, because they once snagged the crown for Best Cocktail Bar in Queensland. And what’s more quintessentially 2025 Aussie behaviour than sipping on a host of sensational cocktails in a beautiful beachy ‘burb?! Serving up nostalgic and native fare, this little ripper hums until late seven nights a week. ‘Knoath!
Where: 1734 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh
Looking for a chic tropical cocktail bar and cellar door experience? Look no further than Familiar Spirits, the hidden gem tucked away in the industrial zone of Burleigh Heads. The intimate atmosphere, combined with a curated selection of house-made spirits, makes it a must-visit for cocktail enthusiasts. The cocktail list is nothing short of impeccable —you must try them all! That’s an order.
Where: 1/9 Calabro Way, Burleigh Heads
With a name that (literally) sums up our guilty pleasure, Suga lives up to its namesake – and then some. When it comes to our local speakeasy, the only thing more satisfying than the cocktails is the…no, it’s definitely the cocktails. The low-lit lamps highlight the insanely good menu, which serves as the perfect belly-liner so that you can partake in another cocktail (yes, even on a school night).
Where: 1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
If you like your gin with a side of smooth operator, Burly Bar in Currumbin is your next stop. Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a New York lounge with a Japanese twist – think dark corners, cool beats, and even cooler drinks. This distinctive and eclectic spot is where craftsmanship meets cocktail hour, treating mixology like an art form.
Where: 60 Currumbin Creek Road, Gold Coast
You’ve never met a cooler Evelyn (and if you’re born after 1980, you’ve probably never met one). This antipasto and pizza bar has not only garnered a staunch following for its A+ seasonal antipasti, sourdough pizza, and freshly made pasta but also for the evelyn-utionary cocktails. With its moody lighting and dark wooden charm, Evelyn is the kind of spot that makes even a balmy summer night feel effortlessly cool.
Where: Shop 20/58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Words by Bianca Trathen and Chelsea Ipsen.
