Kids take over HOTA these spring holidays with this space-themed festival.
Kids take over HOTA these spring holidays with this space-themed festival.
School holidays seem to come around quick these days. One minute you’re packing lunchboxes every morning, the next, your small humans are circling around your bed asking the dreaded question: “What are we doing today?”
Planning the holidays is a full-time gig and there’s only so many days you can drop them at their grandparents. Don’t panic, just let the kids take over. Not your house, obviously, but HOTA.
From Monday 22nd September to Saturday 4th October, HOTA’s Kids Take Over children’s festival will blast imaginations into another galaxy. This year’s intergalactic-themed festival is crammed with stellar shows, workshops and creative adventures that’ll have your mini-astronauts happily exploring instead of nagging you for more snacks.
At the centre of the universe is the world premiere of Into Space by ARC Circus on 26th–27th September. This high-flying performance promises to shoot for the stars with acrobatics, comedy and a journey across galaxies. If you’ve ever wondered what zero gravity would look like under stage lights, this is the ticket.
And speaking of stars, budding writers can pen their own cosmic tales at Write Like An Author, future DJs can drop beats in DJ Skool and science-curious kids can Explore the Night Sky with Gold Coast Astronomy.
But wait, there’s more orbiting fun. Hungry astronauts can create edible art at the Intergalactic Pizzeria, style-savvy space cadets can glam up at the glittery Galaxy Salon and LEGO lovers can let loose at Lego Battle – Out of this World. Then there’s Spaceship Salvage, where curious minds get hands-on with eco-friendly cosmic creations, and Arcadia, a free playground of imagination that’s light years ahead of screen time.
HOTA’s very own cheeky mascot, The Bin Chicken, is back too, taking your little chickens on unmissable scavenger hunts around HOTA from 2nd–4th October. Expect feathers, fun and maybe a little mischief.
The festival is all about giving kids the controls. They can sell their handmade creations at Mini Marketeers 2025, put their business brains to the test at Business Builders, or let their creativity run wild in festival faves like Draw Like An Artist and Stop Start Motion. These workshops take off quick so it’s best to book now to avoid missing the spaceship.
Parents, this is sure to get you on board: many events are free, and the whole program is designed for kids aged 3 to 11, so you can sip a coffee at HOTA’s cafe while your child discovers a galaxy of fun. That’s a cosmic win for everyone.
So, these school holidays, don’t stress about inventing activities or negotiating screen time. Let HOTA do the heavy lifting. With Kids Take Over, your little ones get to blast boredom into another dimension and you get to enjoy some space of your own.
Check out the full program here.
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: Monday 22nd September to Saturday 4th October 2025
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY HOTA
Broadway blockbuster In The Heights turns up the heat this September.
There’s something special about seeing a musical theatre show on Broadway in New York. The lights, the hype, the energy – it’s hard to match. But who says the Gold Coast can’t have musical magic of its own? Thanks to HOTA, we’re getting front-row seats to world-class musicals.
That’s right drama queens, Broadway is coming to the beach! The four-time Tony Award winning musical In The Heights is cha-cha-cha-ing its way to HOTA this September in a South East Queensland exclusive that’s set to raise the roof.
Presented by Experience Gold Coast and Joshua Robson Productions, this high-energy, salsa-infused spectacle has already wowed Australian audiences at the Hayes Theatre and the Sydney Opera House. Now, it’s our turn to feel the rhythm and the rhyme.
From the genius mind of Lin-Manuel Miranda (yes, that Hamilton guy — he’s a leading man in theatre these days), In The Heights spins a heartfelt tale of community, culture and chasing your dreams.
Set in the vibrant Washington Heights neighbourhood of New York City, In The Heights follows Usnavi, a bodega owner, and his vibrant community as they navigate love, identity, hope, and the meaning of home. Think block party meets Broadway, with a whole lotta heart.
With soaring Latin rhythms, hip-hop beats and a heart full of dreams, this electrifying show celebrates all walks of life, capturing what it means to hold tight to your roots while reaching for the future, where a winning lottery ticket could change everything.
Yarmila Alfonzetti, Head of Arts and Culture at Experience Gold Coast, says it best, “We are thrilled to welcome the powerhouse production of In the Heights to the Gold Coast. By bringing a Broadway hit to HOTA exclusively, we’re providing our locals and visitors with a production that radiates passion and joy.”
It will be a standing ovation every night with a cast that’s absolutely stacked: Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) stars as the lovable narrator Usnavi, Olivia Vásquez (West Side Story) dazzles as Vanessa, with Richard Valdez bringing charm (and piraguas!) as Piragua Guy, and Mariah Gonzalez shining bright as Nina Rosario.
Helming the production is the dynamic duo, director Luke Joslin and choreographer Amy Campbell, both Helpmann-nominated and ready to bring the drama in the best way possible.
Whether you’re a musical theatre die-hard or just looking for a night of infectious energy, powerful performances and maybe a few tears (we all cry during the “Paciencia y Fe” number, don’t @ us), this is the Gold Coast’s ticket to Broadway, no passport required.
So warm up your vocal cords and dust off your dancing shoes because you’ll not want to miss your shot at seeing In The Heights this September. Book now.
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: From 12th September 2025
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY HOTA
Spring into paradise these school holidays at Paradise Centre.
For kids, school holidays mean freedom, fun, and staying up past bedtime. For parents, it’s more like refereeing snack wars and fielding “what are we doing today?” every 12 minutes. Enter Paradise Centre, swooping in like the holiday hero you didn’t know you needed, with a line-up of crafty, tasty, fiery, prize-filled goodness guaranteed to keep everyone smiling.
First up, your little ones won’t just stop to smell the flowers – they’ll wear them too! Sprouting in the heart of the action is the Garden of Wonder, a life-sized theatrical garden with free crown-making workshops that’ll have them blooming with pride. Sessions kick off daily from 1.00pm, and last around 20 minutes. The jewel in the crown? Each child who has pre-booked will receive a special gift (until supplies wilt away), ensuring the holiday mems last longer than the sugar high from their ice cream cone.
But wait, there’s more (said in our best infomercial voice). Snap a photo of your mini monarchs in their leafy kingdom – whether they’re crafting, twirling with a fairy, or just grinning for the ‘gram – then post it to Facebook or Insta with #paradisecentre. Show your masterpiece to the promo desk crew and you could nab a $50 retailer gift voucher. The photo-for-freebies fun runs daily from 1pm to 4pm, but only the first 10 sharers per day score the goods, so don’t dilly-dally – get right to it!
And speaking of freebies, Paradise Centre is going all out with their big Spring Giveaway, which makes finding a forgotten fiver in your pocket feel pretty meh. We’re talking $10,000 worth of $50 vouchers up for grabs when you spend $100 or more anywhere in-centre*. Simply scan the QR code between 1pm and 4pm, swing past the promo desk to claim your prize, and splash out on food, fashion or fun.
Just because the sun clocks off doesn’t mean the good times take a kip. On Friday and Saturday nights (19, 20, 26 and 27 September), the beachfront precinct will fire up (literally) with free fire and light shows from 5pm to 8pm. Think flaming twirlers, glowing LED dancers, and epic twilight vibes, all with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.
Make a night of it by booking a table at one of the beachfront dining spots, from the celeb endorsed Wahlburgers, El Camino Cantina’s bottomless taco fiesta, and luxe modern Thai at Nahm Talay Thai to name a few. Bonus incoming: some venues are running Kids Eat Free deals, which means more money in your pocket for margaritas (we won’t tell).
And because keeping kids fed and entertained is the holy grail of any holiday outing, Paradise Centre is also serving up foodie workshops just for them. Budding chefs can don an apron at Enzo’s Cucina Kids’ Pizza Masterclass, where they’ll roll dough, pile on toppings, and devour their cheesy creations. If burgers are more their vibe, the Kids’ Burger Masterclass is a hands-on (and mouth-on) adventure in building the perfect patty tower.
Love Italy is also hosting pizza parties with all the trimmings (including a Nutella pizza dessert – cue the sugar rush), while Surfers Paradise Hair Wraps and Braiding are running Junior Braiders Workshops. For $50, kids aged six and up can master ponytail braiding and take home their very own kit – because why should the grown-ups have all the good hair days?
So, whether your kiddos are getting crafty in the Garden of Wonder(land), tossing dough like mini chefs, or twirling like fire dancers’ apprentices (from a safe distance, promise), Paradise Centre is the place to be these school holidays. Parents, you might even get five minutes of peace to enjoy that coffee while it’s still hot. Paradise, indeed.
Where: Corner of Cavill Avenue & Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 20 – Saturday 27 September
*T&Cs apply. See website for details.
Words by Bianca Trathen
STORY SPONSORED BY PARADISE CENTRE
The ultimate cheat sheet for feeding your littlies – free of charge.
Hungry kids, full bellies, zero damage to your bank account? Yes please.
We’ve tracked down the Gold Coast spots where kids eat free, so you can score a night off cooking and dodge the dishes any night of the week.
Think cheesy beachside slices, nugget towers at your local, and more tasty deals the whole fam will love.
Because what’s better than a free feed? A free feed with chips on the side.
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
