Score, savour, celebrate: winter comes alive here

From national championships and elite training camps to festivals, expos and family-friendly events, July offers something for everyone across the Sunshine Coast.

Sport takes centre stage

July kicks off with a strong focus on sport, led by Football Queensland’s Winterfest (1–5 July), bringing football talent from across Queensland to Buderim.

The region will welcome more than 1,200 deaf athletes, coaches and supporters for the Australian Deaf Games (4–11 July), showcasing inspiring competition across multiple venues including Caloundra Indoor Stadium, Kawana Sports Precinct, and the festival hub at Caloundra RSL.

Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Union Championships (5-11 July) kicks off on Sunday with the best young Rugby Union players vying for National honours across multiple divisions including 7s and 15s events. For the second year nearly 6,000 participants and family will visit the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast will again provide the best preparation training grounds for the Queensland Maroon’s playing group who have arrived for Game 3 preparations.

Community and grassroots sport are equally prominent, with local, state and national competitions, including:

• Sunshine Coast Winter Bowls Carnival , 3–17 July across multiple bowls clubs
• Sunshine Coast Falcons v Central Queensland Capras , 4 July, Sunshine Coast Stadium
• Basketball Queensland U14 Girls State Championships , 8-11 July, Buderim
• Queensland Oztag Championships – All Schools , 24–26 July, Sunshine Coast Stadium and Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex
• Max Adventure Race Sunshine Coast , 25 July, Coochin Creek

The famous Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years of unbelievable trick shots, jaw-dropping dunks, and are on tour around Australia – catch all the action at UniSC Arena on 1 July.

The Maroochy Golf Club invite people with disabilities to attend their upcoming FREE “Come & Try Golf Clinic” on 30 July. Registration is essential.

Festivals, arts and lifestyle experiences

July’s calendar is complemented by vibrant cultural and lifestyle events including the much-loved Queensland Garden Show (10–12 July) at the Nambour Showgrounds.

Fashion and creativity take the spotlight at the Australian Wearable Art Festival (11 July) at Novotel Twin Waters, while Cali Unite (8–11 July) brings energy and performance to The Events Centre, Caloundra.

Tickets are selling fast for 50+ events presented through Curated Plate Food and Drink Festival (24 July – 2 August) to celebrate the region’s local produce, chefs and culinary experiences.

The Very Short Film Festival 2026 (21 July) is touring Australia, with each film under five minutes, spanning comedy, drama, documentary and more at BCC Maroochydore

• Movie screening: The Lorax , 3 July, Caloundra Library+
• Movie screening: How to Train Your Dragon , 4 July, Eumundi Amphitheatre
• Movie screening: Paddington, 10 July , Beerwah Community Hall

Plenty of local and national artists are touring through the region including The Living End (sold out), Catherine Britt, Pricey, Busby Marou, and Thundamentals.

• Celebrating The Music of Countdown Live , 4 July, The Events Centre, Caloundra
• Jackie Marshall & Black Square Quartet , 11 July at Coolum, 12 July at Maleny, 26 July at Eudlo
• Ministry of Sound 90s Testament , 26 July, Venue 114, Bokarina 12pm – 8pm
• Australian Doctors Orchestra Bloomhill Chairty Concert , 26 July, The Events Centre Caloundra

Business, careers and innovation

The Sunshine Coast continues to support growth and opportunity through several key events, including:

• Strummingbird Business Activation Session , 8 July, Venue 114, Bokarina
• Sunshine Coast Multicultural Jobs & Skills Expo , 15 July, Caloundra Library+
• Sunshine Coast Careers Expo , 20–21 July, Caloundra Indoor Stadium
• Women in Manufacturing , 22 July, UniSC Innovation Centre, Sippy Downs
• Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Series – Masterclass 2 , 22 July, Venue 114, Bokarina
• SCEIA: In good company - Grants & Sponsorship , 22 July, Pier 33, Mooloolaba
• The Education Fair 2026: Sunshine Coast , 25 July, UniSC Arena, Sippy Downs

Registration is now open for Thriving Through Change, an expo for small businesses to showcase, network, learn and find support.

These events connect local talent with industry and showcase pathways for future workforce development.

NAIDOC celebrations

From 5–12 July, our community is invited to come together to recognise the histories, cultures and achievements of First Nations peoples, and to be part of a vibrant program of local events and activities.

• LORE and LAND Exhibition Launch , 2 July, Caloundra Regional Gallery
• Sunshine Coast NAIDOC Family Funday , 5 July, Kings Beach Amphitheatre
• NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony , 7 July, Nambour Library Forecourt
• Namba NAIDOC - 50 Years of Deadly - Wear Your Culture , 7 July, Nambour Community Centre
• Undumbi Culture NAIDOC - Festival of the Harvest , 11 July, Baringa Forest Park
• The Dreaming Collective Sunshine Coast NAIDOC Gala , 18 July, The Shed, Banana Bender Pub, Palmview

Discover more NAIDOC Week events near you in the NAIDOC Regional Guide.

Community and fund-raising events

Families and visitors can also enjoy a range of community-focused experiences, including the Bluey Live Interactive Experience coming to Picnic on Kings and:

• Plastic Free Sea Festival , 5 July, Buddina
• Ride the Night Epic Rides and Winter Vibes , 11 July, Aussie World
• Coastrek Sunshine Coast , 17 July, Marcoola to Mooloolaba
• 4Paws Santa-Paws in the Park , 19 July, Lake Kawana Foreshore
• Picnic on Kings , 25 July, Kings Beach Amphitheatre
• Nambour Swap Meet , 25 July, Nambour Showgrounds
• STEPS Grand Winter Ball , 25 July, Sunshine Coast Function Centre, Caloundra RSL
• Mooloolaba Seafood Market Day , 26 July, Fisheries on the Spit, Mooloolaba

The Sunshine Coast continues to strengthen its reputation as a year-round events destination with this diverse mix of major sporting fixtures, cultural festivals and community events.

This is just a taste of what’s on this winter. You can find information about these events and more events to choose from at events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au