📍 Miami
Miami Twilight NYE
A free early-evening family party in Miami's Thorn Park, wrapping up with fireworks in time for bed.
NYE 2026 · Free fireworks
Gold Coast fireworks locations, New Year's Eve 2026
Where to watch the Gold Coast New Year's Eve fireworks: Surfers Paradise beach, Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach, Coolangatta and the Broadwater, plus the early 8pm family shows. All free, with times and tips for each spot.
Fireworks locations at a glance
Times are from the City of Gold Coast's 2025 program and community event organisers. The 2026 program is usually announced in December, so check official updates before you go.
| Location | Area | Fireworks | Entry | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfers Paradise Foreshore | Surfers Paradise | 8pm & midnight over the ocean | Free | The main event and the biggest crowd; G:link to Cypress Ave, Cavill Ave or Surfers Paradise |
| Kurrawa Park & beachfront | Broadbeach | 8pm & midnight | Free | More room to spread out; G:link to Broadbeach North or South |
| Coolangatta Beach | Coolangatta | 9pm & midnight (QLD time) | Free | Relaxed southern option; Tweed Heads (NSW) is an hour ahead |
| Broadwater Parklands (The Great Lawn) | Southport | 8pm over the Broadwater | Free · alcohol-free | Alcohol-free family event with bands and food trucks from 4pm |
| Paradise Point Parklands | Paradise Point | 9pm | Free | Local Broadwater favourite; entertainment from 5pm |
| Coomera Sports Park | Coomera | 8pm | Free | Park & Ride shuttle from Dreamworld in 2025 |
| Lake Orr waterfront | Varsity Lakes | 8:30pm over the lake | Free | New Year's Eve by the Lake; family event from 5:30pm |
| Thorn Park | Miami | Early evening | Free | Miami Twilight NYE, 4pm – 8pm |
| The Promenade, Robina Town Centre | Robina | Around 8pm (check time) | Free | Carnival rides and family entertainment |
| Southport Sharks oval | Southport | 9pm & midnight | Free | Club's own display; seafood buffet ticketed |
| SkyPoint, Level 77 Q1 | Surfers Paradise | From 230m up | Paid ticket | Ticketed party; NYE Climb from $179 for 2026 |
| On the Broadwater | Southport to Main Beach | From the water | Paid ticket | Book a cruise for 8pm or midnight |
Free NYE fireworks events
Free community celebrations with fireworks, food trucks and family entertainment. No tickets needed.
📍 Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Foreshore NYE Fireworks
The Gold Coast's biggest free NYE gathering: two fireworks shows over the ocean from the beach in front of the Surfers Paradise sign.
📍 Broadbeach
Kurrawa Park Broadbeach NYE Fireworks
A roomier alternative to Surfers, with parkland to spread out on and both council fireworks shows.
📍 Coolangatta
Coolangatta Beach NYE Fireworks
The southern Gold Coast's free fireworks. Remember that Tweed Heads, a few streets away in NSW, is an hour ahead.
📍 Southport
New Year's Eve by the Sea, Broadwater Parklands
An alcohol-free family afternoon on the Broadwater with bands, food trucks and kids activities, finishing with 8pm fireworks.
📍 Paradise Point · Northern Gold Coast
Paradise Point NYE Fireworks
A local favourite on the northern Broadwater, with entertainment from 5pm and fireworks at 9pm.
📍 Coomera · Northern Gold Coast
New Year's Eve in Coomera
A free early family celebration in the northern growth suburbs, with a Park & Ride shuttle so you can skip the parking.
📍 Varsity Lakes
New Year's Eve by the Lake
Fireworks reflected in Lake Orr, with live music and food trucks, made for families who want an early night.
📍 Robina
NYE Glitter & Glow Party, Robina Town Centre
A shopping-centre family party with carnival rides and an early fireworks show, and plenty of parking nearby.
📍 Southport
New Year's Eve at Southport Sharks
The Sharks club runs its own 9pm and midnight fireworks over the oval, free to watch, with a ticketed seafood buffet inside.
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How to choose where to watch
For the big night, Surfers Paradise beach has both shows, the biggest crowd and dozens of bars and restaurants behind the sand. Catch the G:link to Cypress Avenue, Cavill Avenue or Surfers Paradise station.
For more space, Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach has the same 8pm and midnight shows with grass to spread out on, and Coolangatta Beach is the laid-back southern option at 9pm and midnight.
With kids, choose an early show: Broadwater Parklands and Coomera at 8pm, Varsity Lakes at 8:30pm or Paradise Point at 9pm. Broadwater Parklands is alcohol-free.
For a guaranteed view without the crowd, book a Broadwater cruise, a beachfront bar on the Esplanade or a spot at SkyPoint, 230 metres above Surfers Paradise.
What to bring
- Picnic rug or low beach chair
- Water, snacks, hats and sunscreen for the afternoon
- Charged phone and a power bank
- Insect repellent for the parklands
- No glass and no alcohol on the beach or in public parks
Fireworks FAQ
Where is the best place to watch the fireworks on the Gold Coast?
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.
Are the Gold Coast NYE fireworks free?
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.
What time should I arrive for the beach fireworks?
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.
Can I drink alcohol on the beach on New Year's Eve?
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.
Why does Coolangatta celebrate New Year an hour after Tweed Heads?
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).
Selling NYE tickets on the Gold Coast?
October to December is when locals and holidaymakers search for their Gold Coast New Year's Eve plans. Get your event in front of them for $599 flat, with no commission.