If you are holidaying in Mooloolaba between Thursday 24 September and Wednesday 30 September 2026, you have arrived during a particularly good week for families, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers and anyone looking for something different to do during the September school holidays.
The next seven days bring a major surf and Volkswagen show right here in Mooloolaba, the Sunshine Coast Expo at Bokarina, two free Shorebird Festivals, large family events in Maroochydore and Nirimba, live music, theatre, contemporary art, Eumundi Markets and the beginning of an international-style junior football tournament.
September is also still firmly within the Sunshine Coast humpback whale season, so there is plenty happening both on land and out on the water.
The Week at a Glance
- Thursday 24 September: Moffat Beach Vintage Vibes Street Party, Sunshine Coast National Art Prize winners announcement, Finnegan the Fart Detective and Bill Bailey in Caloundra.
- Friday 25 September: Sunshine Coast Expo begins, National Art Prize judge’s walk and talk and Billy vs Elton at The Events Centre.
- Saturday 26 September: Sunshine Coast Expo, Golden Beach Shorebird Festival, Aura Monster Machine Day, Eumundi Markets, Katie Noonan and Kingfisha.
- Sunday 27 September: Surf Show and Shine in Mooloolaba, Cotton Tree Shorebird Festival, MEET the MACHINES in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast Expo and Cotton Tree Markets.
- Monday 28 September: A quieter day for Mooloolaba Beach, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, whale watching and the coastal walk.
- Tuesday 29 September: Pacific Championships junior football tournament begins at Sippy Downs and Buderim.
- Wednesday 30 September: Eumundi Markets, Koala Detective school-holiday workshop and What’s New Pussycat? in Caloundra.
Thursday 24 September: Street Party, Art and Theatre
Moffat Beach: Vintage Vibes Street Party
When: Thursday 24 September, 4:00pm–8:00pm
Where: Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
Moffat Beach kicks off the week with a free evening street party built around a Vintage Vibes theme.
Seaview Terrace will be transformed into a relaxed beachside gathering with vintage and thrift stalls, food and drinks from local businesses and plenty of opportunity to explore one of the Sunshine Coast’s most attractive coastal villages.
Visitors are even encouraged to dress in vintage-inspired clothing if they want to get into the spirit of the evening.
Sunshine Coast National Art Prize Winners Announcement
When: Thursday 24 September, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery
Cost: Free, registration required
The Sunshine Coast National Art Prize reaches one of its major moments on Thursday night, when the 2026 prize winners are announced.
The exhibition features 40 finalists selected from artists across Australia working in contemporary two-dimensional and new-media practices. The prize pool exceeds $35,000, with the major winning artwork being acquired for the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.
The full exhibition remains open until 11 October, so visitors who cannot attend the announcement can still see the finalist works later in their holiday.
Finnegan the Fart Detective
When: Thursday 24 September at 9:30am, 11:30am and 2:00pm
Where: Playhouse, The Events Centre, Caloundra
Tickets: $32
Age: Recommended for children aged 6–12
If you are travelling with primary-school-aged children, this school-holiday theatre production is probably one of the funniest options of the week.
Finnegan the Fart Detective is an interactive 45-minute mystery designed specifically for children, with three performances across the day.
Bill Bailey – Vaudevillean
When: Thursday 24 September, 8:00pm
Where: Kings Theatre, The Events Centre, Caloundra
Age recommendation: 15+
British comedian and musician Bill Bailey brings Vaudevillean to Caloundra on Thursday night.
The performance combines stand-up comedy, music and Bailey’s trademark multi-instrumental style. The show is currently listed as sold out, although a waiting list is available through the venue.
Friday 25 September: Sunshine Coast Expo and Live Entertainment
Sunshine Coast Expo
When: Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 September
Friday hours: 8:30am–4:00pm
Saturday hours: 8:30am–5:00pm
Sunday hours: 8:30am–4:00pm
Where: Kawana Sports Precinct, Nicklin Way, Bokarina
The Sunshine Coast Expo is one of the major events of the weekend and an easy drive south from Mooloolaba.
The three-day event focuses on caravans, camper trailers, 4WDs, camping equipment, outdoor accessories, touring gear and travel products. It also includes demonstrations, entertainment and family activities.
Online single-day adult tickets are currently advertised from $16, while children aged 16 and under enter free.
If your holiday interests include camping, road trips, boating, fishing or four-wheel-driving, allow several hours to explore the event properly.
Sunshine Coast National Art Prize Judge’s Walk and Talk
When: Friday 25 September, 10:00am
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery
Cost: Free, registration required
Following Thursday night’s prize announcement, visitors can join the National Art Prize judge for a free guided discussion through the finalist exhibition.
This is a particularly good opportunity for visitors interested in contemporary art who want more context about the judging process and the works selected for the national prize.
Billy vs Elton
When: Friday 25 September, 7:30pm
Where: Kings Theatre, The Events Centre, Caloundra
Tickets: From approximately $69.90 full price
Age: Recommended for ages 10+
Billy vs Elton brings the music of Billy Joel and Elton John together in a large-scale tribute show featuring some of the best-known piano-driven pop and rock songs of the last five decades.
The performance runs for approximately two hours and twenty minutes including interval.
Saturday 26 September: Family Events, Markets and Music
Saturday has one of the broadest programs of the week, with major family events, outdoor activities, music and the second day of the Sunshine Coast Expo.
Shorebird Festival – Golden Beach
When: Saturday 26 September, 8:00am–11:00am
Where: Fraser Park, Golden Beach
Cost: Free
Sunshine Coast Council is celebrating the return of migratory shorebirds with a free family festival at Golden Beach.
The birds undertake extraordinary international migrations before returning to the Sunshine Coast coastline, and the morning includes activities designed to introduce families to these remarkable visitors and their local habitat.
Aura Monster Machine Day
When: Saturday 26 September
Monster Machines: 9:00am–2:00pm
Junior Tradies and market area: 9:00am–5:00pm
Where: Whiteley Avenue, Nirimba
Cost: Free, advance registration required
For younger children fascinated by trucks, diggers and construction equipment, Monster Machine Day is likely to be one of the biggest hits of the school holidays.
Families can get close to heavy machinery, try ride-on diggers, enjoy children’s entertainment, food trucks, live music and hands-on activities.
Free tickets are required and sessions can fill, so it is worth organising this one before leaving Mooloolaba.
The Original Eumundi Markets
When: Saturday 26 September, 7:30am–2:00pm
Where: 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi
The Original Eumundi Markets remain one of the Sunshine Coast’s classic Saturday experiences.
Expect locally made art, fashion, jewellery, homewares, food, produce and live entertainment. The markets operate rain, hail or shine and are especially good for visitors looking for locally produced gifts or souvenirs.
Katie Noonan – Alone but all one Tour
When: Saturday 26 September
Where: The Majestic Theatre, Pomona
Five-time ARIA Award winner Katie Noonan brings her Alone but all one tour to the historic Majestic Theatre in Pomona.
Noonan performs with the River Suite String Quartet in an intimate concert based around her 30th studio album, including material created with writer Trent Dalton.
Kingfisha – Full Moon Dance
When: Saturday 26 September
Where: 460 Verrierdale Road, Verrierdale
For visitors looking for live music later in the day, Full Moon Dance features Kingfisha alongside The Steele Syndicate, The Madtones featuring Andy V and DJ Outlook.
Kingfisha are known for their combination of dub, reggae and electronic music and have built a strong live following around Australia.
Sunday 27 September: A Huge Day Close to Mooloolaba
Sunday is probably the most useful day of the week for G1 Holidays guests because two of the biggest family events are either in Mooloolaba itself or immediately nearby in Maroochydore.
Surf Show and Shine – Mooloolaba
When: Sunday 27 September, approximately 7:00am–1:30pm
Where: Mooloolaba State School Oval, 15 Meta Street, Mooloolaba
The Surf Show and Shine brings classic Volkswagen Kombis, surf culture, local art, music, food stalls and family activities together for a relaxed Mooloolaba community day.
Visitors can inspect the vehicles, vote in the People’s Choice award, browse surf and Kombi merchandise, listen to local musicians and enjoy street food and market stalls.
Because it is held at Mooloolaba State School, many G1 Holidays guests staying centrally will be able to reach the event without a long drive.
Shorebird Festival – Cotton Tree
When: Sunday 27 September, 8:00am–11:00am
Where: Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore
Cost: Free
The second of the weekend’s free Shorebird Festivals takes place at Cotton Tree Park on Sunday morning.
This is particularly convenient from Mooloolaba and can easily be combined with breakfast around Cotton Tree or a visit to the nearby Sunday market.
Cotton Tree Markets
When: Sunday 27 September, 7:00am–12:00pm
Where: King Street, Cotton Tree, Maroochydore
The long-running Cotton Tree Markets feature local artists, designers, makers, food and produce every Sunday morning.
With the Shorebird Festival happening nearby, Cotton Tree is likely to be particularly lively this Sunday.
MEET the MACHINES – Maroochydore
When: Sunday 27 September, 11:00am–4:00pm
Where: The MET, Maroochydore City Centre
Another major family event arrives in Maroochydore on Sunday with real construction equipment, emergency-service vehicles, trucks and machinery on display.
Children can get close to the vehicles, meet operators, hear sirens, explore equipment and enjoy entertainment including a mini train and live music.
For families staying in Mooloolaba, this is only a short drive and provides a useful afternoon option after the Surf Show and Shine or Cotton Tree activities.
Final Day of the Sunshine Coast Expo
Sunday is also the final opportunity to visit the Sunshine Coast Expo at Bokarina, with gates open from 8:30am until 4:00pm.
Monday 28 September: Make It a Mooloolaba Day
After a packed weekend, Monday is a good day to slow the pace and stay closer to your accommodation.
Have breakfast on the Esplanade, walk the beachfront towards Alexandra Headland, visit The Wharf, spend a few hours on Mooloolaba Beach or explore the rock pools and coastal viewpoints around the headland.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast at The Wharf Mooloolaba is one of the easiest family attractions to reach from central Mooloolaba and provides a useful alternative if you need a break from the sun or beach.
Whale Watching from Mooloolaba
Late September is still within the annual humpback whale migration season on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunreef Mooloolaba operates Whale One from The Wharf, with whale-watching season running from June through October.
Depending on the whales, visitors may see breaching, tail slapping and other natural behaviours, although every trip is different and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
The real advantage for holidaymakers staying in Mooloolaba is that the experience leaves directly from The Wharf, making it easy to add an ocean trip to the week without travelling elsewhere on the Coast.
Tuesday 29 September: Pacific Championships Begin
When: Tuesday 29 September to Sunday 4 October
Where: University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs and Sunshine Coast Wanderers, Buderim
Football Queensland’s Pacific Championships begin on Tuesday, bringing junior teams from Queensland, interstate and overseas to the Sunshine Coast for six days of competition.
For families travelling with young footballers — or anyone who simply enjoys watching emerging sporting talent — the tournament provides another option within a short drive of Mooloolaba.
Wednesday 30 September: Markets, Koalas and Sixties Music
The Original Eumundi Markets
When: Wednesday 30 September, 7:30am–2:00pm
Where: 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi
If you missed Saturday, Wednesday gives you another opportunity to visit The Original Eumundi Markets.
The Wednesday market can have a slightly different mix of traders, and it makes an easy half-day trip from Mooloolaba.
Koala Detective Workshop
When: Wednesday 30 September
Where: Alsahwa Estate, 20 Rifle Range Road, Palmwoods
Age: 5–12 years
This hands-on school-holiday workshop teaches children how wildlife experts look for signs of koalas in the wild.
Participants learn about scratch marks, scats and other clues before heading through the gardens on a practice Koala Quest. Parents are required to remain on site during the session.
What’s New Pussycat?
When: Wednesday 30 September, 11:00am
Where: Kings Theatre, The Events Centre, Caloundra
Tickets: From $32 full price
Age: All ages
This daytime concert celebrates the music of the 1960s, with songs associated with Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, The Mamas & The Papas, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles.
The show runs for approximately 75 minutes without interval.
Planning Your Week from Mooloolaba
Sunday is the standout local day. Surf Show and Shine is happening in Mooloolaba itself, while the Shorebird Festival, Cotton Tree Markets and MEET the MACHINES are all just a short drive away in Maroochydore.
Families have an unusually large choice this week. Finnegan the Fart Detective, Monster Machine Day, both Shorebird Festivals, MEET the MACHINES and the Koala Detective Workshop have all been scheduled during the school-holiday period.
Book or register ahead where required. Free does not always mean you can simply arrive. Some workshops and events require registration, and Bill Bailey is already listed as sold out.
Allow extra time around Kawana Sports Precinct. The Sunshine Coast Expo runs for three days and attracts substantial visitor numbers, so parking and surrounding roads may be busier than usual.
Keep one flexible morning for the ocean. Whale watching is still in season, and September is an excellent time to make use of Mooloolaba’s direct access to offshore experiences.
Why Mooloolaba Is the Perfect Base This Week
This week shows exactly why Mooloolaba works so well as a Sunshine Coast holiday base.
You can attend Surf Show and Shine without leaving the suburb, walk to Mooloolaba Beach and The Wharf, join a whale-watching trip, visit SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast and enjoy the Esplanade’s restaurants and cafes.
At the same time, Maroochydore, Bokarina, Buderim, Caloundra, Eumundi, Palmwoods and the hinterland are all within easy reach for day trips and events.
G1 Holidays offers holiday accommodation throughout Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, giving visitors a convenient base for beaches, events, restaurants and everything happening across the Sunshine Coast.
Enjoy the week — there is plenty happening.