Join in the Action
Maroochydore is the outdoor event centre

Maroochydore hosts surf carnivals, ironmen & ironwomen & surf lifesaving events throughout the year. These events add a lively vibe of energy, colour & activity to the beach.

At Cotton Tree, right where the Maroochy River meets the ocean at Maroochydore, there's a fantastic waterfront park where families gather, kids play, people fish from the jetties & everyone enjoys the Olympic-size swimming pool, complete with kids' waterpark at the Cotton Tree Pool next to the park.

During the year, Cotton Tree Park, fronting the Maroochy River estuary, is home to many local events. The Annual Christmas Carols are also held here, which is a joyous fun night out for the whole family.

We've listed annual Maroochydore events, & a few others along with their dates here so you can make an informed choice before you book your Maroochydore holiday. You'll also find Queensland School Holidays listed here. Other Australian States have different school holiday dates, so please be aware when booking — if you don’t wish to share your resort pool with the schoolkids.

The Christmas Lights Boat Parade is an annual event to bring the spirit of Christmas to the Sunshine Coast waterways. From Maroochydore or Cotton Tree, Mooloolaba is close by, only 5 mins' drive or a casual 15-minute beachfront stroll via Alexandra Headland. Mooloolaba also hosts a fantastic family-friendly New Years Eve event each year with music, entertainment, & 2 fireworks displays, so put Mooloolaba on your calendar when you want to see the New Year in with a big bang & a beach party!

Event Calendar 2010—2011

Sat 4 Dec 2010

Christmas Lights Boat Parade at Mooloolaba

Get there at dusk to see the Christmas Lights Boat Parade as it winds its way along the Mooloolaba waterways & canals from 6.30pm.

What to Bring: Radio tuned to Hot 91.1 FM, torches or glow sticks or anything that lights up for the mexican wave, plus your family & friends!

Thu 9 to Sun 12 Dec 2010

PGA Championship Australia 2010, Hyatt Coolum
(15 mins from Maroochydore)

An impressive line-up of professional golfers is assembled, including defending champion Robert Allenby & 2-time major winner John Daly of the USA.

The Hyatt Regency Coolum will again host Australia’s oldest golf professional tournament & the flagship event of the Professional Golfers Association Australia. The Championship attracts some of the biggest names in professional golf.

The PGA Championship provides golfing fans a chance to get up close to the leading Australian & overseas professionals in a spectacular Sunshine Coast setting. The Championship boasts a proud reputation for being ‘Australia’s favourite tournament’.

With a family friendly atmosphere, players & spectators alike are able to enjoy the stunning surrounds of Coolum & with an endless array of activities for both locals & visitors. The PGA Championship Australia is 1 golf tournament not to be missed.

Sat 18 Dec 2010

Christmas Carols at Cotton Tree
Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore FREE ENTRY
5.30pm for 6.30pm start to 8.30pm

Enjoy a family fun night of Christmas Carols. Bring a blanket & be dazzled by a variety of great performances. Children's entertainment kicks off at 5.30pm, Carols Singing at 6.30pm, plus a great fireworks show to end the evening with a bang at 8.30pm.

Fri 31 Dec 2010 — Sat 1 Jan 2011

New Years Eve Spectacular at Mooloolaba

Welcome in 2011 & enjoy (2) fireworks displays at 8.30pm & midnight + awesome FREE NYE entertainment on the beach. Mooloolaba’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular will feature 2 fireworks displays, one at 8.30pm, & another at midnight.

Activities will kickoff from 2pm & go into the evening with children’s entertainment, a beachside carnival, fire-shows on the beach & roving performers.

There will be 2 stages of entertainment — 1 at the southern end of the beach & another at the northern end of the beach at Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

MORE INFO: Phone Sunshine Coast Regional Council on 07 5475 7272.

NOTE: This is an alcohol & glass-free family-friendly event. 

Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival 2011 / Mooloolaba ITU World Cup 2011

The Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival is an end-of-season tradition, & what better way to see out another Australian hot summer than this Festival Long Weekend. More than 160 of the world’s best triathletes come together on this Sunday to contest the first leg of the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) global series.

Since the first Mooloolaba Triathlon in 1992, the event has grown to become the second largest triathlon in Australia behind its counterpoint Noosa, which opens the triathlon season. The Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) Mooloolaba Triathlon is the centrepiece of a 3-day Multisport Festival that celebrates the best of the Australian summer lifestyle, at one of the world’s premier beachside resort locations.

Why not stay from Friday to Monday to make an engaging & entertaining long weekend of it all?