Celebrating culture and community at Welcoming Week
The Sunshine Coast Council and Queensland Government-supported Welcoming Week Community Picnic brought people together to celebrate culture, connection and belonging through a vibrant day of activities, performances and shared experiences.
Culture, connection and community were celebrated at Cotton Tree Park on Sunday as people from across the Sunshine Coast came together for Welcoming Week 2026.
The free picnic brought together residents from a wide range of cultural backgrounds to share stories, make new connections and celebrate the diversity that helps make the Sunshine Coast such a welcoming place to live.
Through live music, cultural performances, storytelling, arts and crafts, weaving, henna art, lawn games and food experiences, creating opportunities for people of all ages to meet and learn more about one another.
The event reflected this year's Welcoming Week theme, Belonging is Everyone's Business, highlighting the importance of fostering inclusive communities where everyone feels valued, respected and connected.
Developed in partnership with multicultural communities, community organisations, Council's Multicultural Advisory Group and local community leaders, the picnic showcased the many cultures, traditions and stories that contribute to the rich diversity of the Sunshine Coast.
Whether reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting someone new, attendees helped create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that embraced the spirit of Welcoming Week and the shared belief that strong communities are built through understanding, inclusion and meaningful connections.