New Year's Eve Gold Coast 2026
fireworks, parties & dinners

On Thursday 31 December 2026 the City of Gold Coast normally runs two free beach displays: an early family show and a midnight show. In 2025 Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach (Kurrawa Park) had fireworks at 8pm and midnight, Coolangatta at 9pm and midnight, Broadwater Parklands and Coomera at 8pm, Varsity Lakes at 8:30pm and Paradise Point at 9pm. The 2026 program is usually confirmed in December, so check the council's website closer to the night.

Surfers Paradise beach is the main event, with the biggest crowd and both shows. Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach has more room to spread out, and Coolangatta Beach is the relaxed southern option. For families, the 8pm shows at Broadwater Parklands, Coomera, Varsity Lakes and Paradise Point are quieter and end early. For a guaranteed view without a crowd, book a beachfront bar, a rooftop like SkyPoint or a Broadwater cruise.

Yes. All of the City of Gold Coast fireworks on the beaches and in the parklands are free and you don't need a ticket. Just turn up early to get a good spot. Some private venues, such as Southport Sharks, La Luna Beach Club and InterContinental Sanctuary Cove, run their own displays too.

Broadwater NYE cruises are good value. In 2025 family cruises started from about $89 per child and $169 per adult, while adults-only midnight party cruises ran from about $179 to $400 per person. Sea World Cruises has already published $269 per adult for 2026, including a 4-hour drinks package. See our Gold Coast NYE cruises list.

Popular NYE dinners include Haven and LiTO at Mondrian and Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads, MĀRE in Main Beach, Norté in Mermaid Beach, T'ang Court at The Langham and Nineteen at The Star. Prices in 2025 ranged from about $99 for an early banquet to $550 for an all-inclusive seafood dinner. Early sittings are cheaper and suit families. See our NYE dinners on the Gold Coast list.

For the midnight show at Surfers Paradise, the beach fills through the evening, so aim to arrive by about 9pm for a good spot on the sand. For the 8pm family shows, arrive in the late afternoon and make a picnic of it. Kurrawa Park and Coolangatta are usually easier to find space at.

In 2025 the Queensland Government made all Translink public transport free from 8pm on New Year's Eve until 5:30am on New Year's Day, with 50 cent fares at other times. G:link trams ran every 7–8 minutes through the night and extra buses ran across the city. Check translink.com.au for the 2026 arrangements before you go.

No. Drinking alcohol in public places, including Gold Coast beaches, foreshores and parks, is generally against the law in Queensland, and police are out in force on New Year's Eve. Council family events such as New Year's Eve by the Sea at Broadwater Parklands are alcohol-free. If you want a drink with the fireworks, book a licensed beachfront bar, restaurant or cruise. Glass is not allowed on the beach.

The early 8pm fireworks at Surfers Paradise, Kurrawa Park, Broadwater Parklands and Coomera are made for kids. Free community events with rides, food trucks and entertainment run at Broadwater Parklands, Coomera, Varsity Lakes, Paradise Point, Miami and Robina Town Centre. Spirit of Gold Coast runs a family cruise for the 8pm show, and several restaurants offer early sittings with child pricing.

No. NYE in Gold Coast is an independent guide and event directory. The free fireworks are run by the City of Gold Coast. We bring together the official fireworks information and bookable dinners, cruises and parties so you can plan the whole night in one place.

It's a one-off $599 fee with no commission. Your event gets its own optimised page, a place in our directory and category pages, and a direct link to your booking page. List your event here.

Queensland doesn't use daylight saving, but New South Wales does. Tweed Heads, just over the border from Coolangatta, reaches midnight at 11pm Queensland time. The Gold Coast's own midnight fireworks run at midnight Queensland time (AEST).