Sport, food and fun: your guide to August events

Whether you're a local looking for something different or welcoming visitors from near and far, there's no shortage of ways to experience the energy and spirit of our communities this month.

The Curated Plate food and drink festival – final days

There are a handful of food experiences still to choose from The Curated Plate program for Saturday 1 August including the Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival in Maleny.

On the final festival day, Sunday 2 August you can Picnic on the Green in Doonan, or choose a restaurant, garden or farm experience.

EVA Air Sunshine Coast Marathon – Sunday 2 August

Race village at Alexandra Headland will be ready for more than 16,000 locals and visitors expected to take part in the EVA-Air Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival on Sunday 2 August, running for fun and fund-raising, fitness and personal bests. More than 3,500 athletes will tackle the full 42.2km marathon from Alexandra Headland via Maroochydore, running over the Sunshine Motorway and through Twin Waters and Mudjimba communities.  

Come cheer them on at one of the top spectator spots. Plan or limit your Sunday morning travel by car with these staged traffic changes in mind through:

• Alexandra Headland (3.30am-1.30pm)
• Mooloolaba (4-9am)
• Pacific Paradise, Twin Waters and Mudjimba (5-10.45am)
• Maroochydore and Cotton Tree (5am-12.30pm)
• Sunshine Motorway southbound lanes from Twin Waters to Maroochydore (5-11am).

The Sunshine Motorway northbound lanes remain open, along with access to the Sunshine Coast Airport. A BikePark on the corner of Okinja Road and Alexandra Parade will be available for participants and spectators, offering free secure bike parking.

Sports and recreation events

• The Health & Nutrition Summit 1–2 August, Reesville
• Sunshine Coast Street Sprints 1–2 August, Nambour Showgrounds
• Hostplus Cup Round 20 Sunshine Coast Falcons v Mackay Cutters 8 August, Sunshine Coast Stadium
• Hells Bells 24 Hour Adventure Race 8–9 August, Mapleton
• Sunshine Coast Golf Classics – Winter 2026 16-21 August, Palmer Resort, Maroochy River Golf Club, Twin Waters Golf Club
• Unitywater Lightning Cup (Years 5-6) 21 August, Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex
• Let's Go Sunshine Coast Caravan and Outdoor Expo 21-23 August, Nambour Showgrounds
• Hostplus Cup Round 22 Sunshine Coast Falcons v PNG Hunters 22 August, Sunshine Coast Stadium
• Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship 30 August, Caloundra Indoor Stadium, Golden Beach
• Hostplus Cup Round 23 Sunshine Coast Falcons v Ipswich Jets 30 August, Sunshine Coast Stadium

Arts and cultural events

• The Big Chillout | Motown Spectacular 1 August, The Events Centre, Caloundra
• Dinner and Show | CONFETTI & CHAOS 1 August, The Bower Tree, Sippy Downs
• Caloundra Chorale Goes to the Movies 1 August, The Caloundra Chorale and Theatre Company, Wurtulla
• Mooloolaba Sunsets Markets 1–15 August, Mooloolaba Esplanade
• Secret Garden 2 August, Maroochy Botanic Garden
• The Radiators 7 August, Kings Beach Tavern
• Burlesque L’Amour Discovering Her 7–8 August, Venue 114, Bokarina
• Thelma Plum I Don’t Play That Song Anymore Tour 8 August, Eumundi Brewery
• The Umbilical Brothers | Speedmouse 14 August, The Events Centre, Caloundra
• David Campbell | Good Lovin’ & More 15 August, The Events Centre, Caloundra
• Lies N Destruction - A Guns N Roses Experience 15 August, Norton Music Factory, Caloundra West
• Sunshine Coast Wedding Showcase 16 August, Venue 114, Bokarina
• Acting Up! A season of four one act plays 21-23 August, Lind Lane Theatre, Nambour
• The Jungle Giants - Experiencing Feelings of Joy Tour 21 August, Blackflag Brewing, Coolum Beach
• GATHAA NAIDOC Next Gen Market & Youth Showcase 23 August, Jack Morgan Park, Coolum Beach
• Card Exchange Australia 23 August, Venue 114, Bokarina
• The Big Bike Film Night 25 August, Nambour Cinema
• Fire up & Golden Rose Dancesport Open 28–29 August, Venue 114, Bokarina
• DESTASH MARKET | Arts, Crafts & Sewing Supplies 29 August, Caloundra Arts Centre

Last chance to experience Grassroots to Glory: Around the Track at Landsborough Museum, closing 30 August. This exhibition celebrates the energy, evolution and community spirit that drive athletics on the Sunshine Coast.

Business and industry events 

• UniSC Sunshine Coast Open Day 2 August, Sippy Downs
• Beyond the Ramp - Creating Truly Accessible Events and Venues 3 August, Mooloolaba Surf Club
• Thriving Through Change Business Expo 5 August, Maroochy RSL
• Australian International Documentary Conference - Regionality Sunshine Coast 7 August, Maroochy RSL
• Working with Council - Suppliers Briefing 11 August, Venue 114, Bokarina
• Qld AI Hub Sunshine Coast - AI Productivity for Non-Profits 13 August, Immanuel Lutheran College, Buderim
• Future Flight Science Fair, Javelin Aerospace & MKRS Space 15 August, Warana
• Nominations close for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards 17 August
• STEM Showcase 18 August, UniSC - Sippy Downs
• Queensland Government Supplier Readiness and Profile Improvement Workshop 19 August, Alex Surf Club
• Human Factors and Systems Science Symposium 20 August, UniSC - Sippy Downs
• Sunshine Coast Business Women of the Year Awards Gala 21 August, Venue 114, Bokarina

Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival

Celebrate the Sunshine Coast in bloom with community-led celebrations of native wildflowers, wallum heathlands and natural areas. Held annually during the last two weeks of August, the festival features guided walks, workshops, talks, exhibitions and nature-based activities hosted by community groups across the region.

• 11th Australian Wildflower Conference & Expo 14-15 August, Ramada by Wyndham, Marcoola
• Ranger guided Wildflower Walk in Mooloolah River National Park 18 August
• Acrylic Wildflower Painting 17-31 August, multiple Sunshine Coast Library locations
• Ranger guided Wildflower Walk in Scientific Area 1 27 August, Glass House Mountains National Park, Beerwah

You'll also find another type of floral display at the Buderim Orchid Show (14-15 August) at Buderim Uniting Church, and Native Beekeeping 101 (7 August) at Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct.

Your local library offers more than just books

Throughout August, Sunshine Coast Libraries have a series of digital related information sessions to help with managing passwords, fake news, AI explained, digital photo storage and tech help, plus other activities like Chair Yoga, Storytime and Rhyme time.  View the Libraries calendar.

Sunshine Coast Libraries and Queensland Blue Light also invite teens and families to a series of free movie screenings at Beerwah Community Hall, 7 August, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (2005) PG and 21 August, Enola Holmes (2020) M.

However, you choose to spend your August, there's no shortage of ways to be entertained, inspired and connected. Don't miss the chance to experience the incredible line-up of events taking place across the region and celebrate everything that makes our communities so vibrant.