The Cooly Rocks On festival is a popular and unique music and car show in Coolangatta. It boasts many classic car displays, vintage outfits, live music, dancing, and pageants.
This 5-day long car show is one of the major events of the region and attracts thousands of visitors to the Gold Coast year after year.
Cooly Rocks On 2025 Dates & Program Schedule, Hotel Accommodation
Renowned as one of Australia’s best Show ’N’ Shine displays, Coolangatta will be transported back in time as the streets are lined with over 900 incredible cars. Discover the best hot rods, kustom vehicles and lowbrow art in Kustomville, then wander through Goodwin Park and get close to a massive variety of vehicles, scooters, bikes and more! For the die-hard motor enthusiasts, participate in this incredible display by showcasing your pride and joy, or partake in one of two (or why not both) Car Runs!
Put on your best dancing shoes and boogie to the tunes of yesteryear you know and love! Cooly Rocks On packs a punch every year with an incredible lineup of some of the best rock ’n’ roll, swing, rockabilly and tribute artists worldwide. In a unique offering, Cooly Rocks On is also only one of two festivals in Australia to host an official preliminary round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, an Elvis Presley Enterprises-sanctioned event, with the winner heading straight to Elvis Week in Memphis. Let’s get all shook up!
Now, to put the cherry on top, Cooly Rocks On wouldn’t be the festival it is without celebrating the lifestyle of yesteryear. The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant celebrates the classic and rockabilly styles, and the Cooly Rocks On Moonlight Swing Dance, a 1940s-style shindig, provides plenty of time for attendees to dance the night away. There’s also the newly added Beachside Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance for those wanting to keep their feet busy on the dance floor. But that’s not all! You’ll have the chance to shop a range of retro goods, vintage finds and memorabilia from the eras gone by with a massive number of markets along the beachfront.
Throughout the festival, you will also hear live music from a massive range of rock’n’roll, swing, big band, blues and jazz bands. Retro markets and food vendors will also trade from Thursday to Sunday during the festival.
Book your accommodation early near Cooly Rocks On by clicking the link below.
Many people would like to know the actual Line-Up for Cooly rocks On 2021 so that we can plan our schedule..
We can’t find it anywhere. no mention of Bands, Artists, Venues, times or anything. Very Frustrating !
Hi John,
I know exactly where you are coming from. As I just run a local tourism information website, I do rely on the official event sources for all of my information.
I actually updated my page last week, but as you found, there is little information available at this stage, with the event schedule and some of the venues haven’t been confirmed.
All I can suggest is to follow their Facebook page and check their official website for any new information. Otherwise, you can try to reach them on 1300 035 189 or [email protected] for information they might not have made public yet.
Trying to view and print program of bands and being hassled into a heap of download requests and nothing opens, very frustrating.
Can you please email me a program to [email protected]
Thank you
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Click the link here which will take you to a PDF version of the Cooly Rocks On program schedule for 2018.
Best regards,
Jess
Trying to find out what bands are playing, where and when? Went on line but can only find the 2017 listing.
Hi Lance,
Expressions of interest are still open for artists who wish to perform at Cooly Rocks On, so the performance schedule will not be finalised for a few months it seems. Check back with us as I will update our page once the details are confirmed.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi Like Lance I am trying to find a band schedule where and when. Could you help me here please. Anne
Hi Anne,
The organisers of Cooly Rocks On have released parts of the 2018 program schedule online. This is what we have so far:
– Shannons Show n’ Shine: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June 2018. Over 1,000 classic cars (pre-1970’s) will be on display in special locations in Tweed, Kirra & Coolangatta.
– Street Parade: Saturday 9 June 2018. A parade along the beachfront which will stretch for 2kms. Filled with classic cars, floats, bikes, music and so much more!
– Miss Cooly Rocks On 2018: Thursday 7 June 2018, from 6pm. Come and watch some beautiful ladies compete with their unique vintage looks for an amazing prize.
– Shannons SuperCruise: Saturday 9th June 2018, 6-8pm. Check out cars in action as they cruise Marine Parade and Griffith Street in Coolangatta.
– Poodles and Pugs Parade: Sunday 10th June 2018, 10-11.30am The popular poodle parade is back with competitions for Best in Show, Best Groomed, Best Dog Trick, Waggiest Tail, Cute Factor and Owner and Pooch Lookalike.
– Dance Workshops: Friday 8th June 2018 & Sunday 10th June 2018. Warner Stage, Greenmount Stage and Jack Evans Stage.
couple weeks out and no bands people come for music not the other crap what the hells going on
Hi Terry,
I’m sorry that you are so upset, but it appears you have simply had trouble locating the page. The lineup of musicians has been announced here.
Best regards,
Jess
We have just booked for Cooly Rocks 2018. Can you tell me, do you have free buses from Palm Beach to Coolangatta? If not can you tell me what the cost of the buses are? Thank you.
Hi Drina,
Yes, Park ‘n’ Ride will be available again in 2018, but details are yet to be confirmed about the bus route and cost. Check back in early 2018 as I will update our page once the organisers confirm details.
Best regards,
Jess
Now middle of may and I too am Waiting to hear about park n ride,also the coolyrockson site has a site map in colours but not key to what these mean.
Hi Ruth,
Not sure what to tell you beyond what is already posted on our page. I am also waiting for further details to be released. Perhaps contact the organisers directly to see if they can enlighten you about the map and Park n Ride on (07) 5534 3500.
Regards,
Jess
Hi, this will be our first time attending Coolies 2017 and we are bringing up a car. Do we have to nominate to go into the parade or do we just show up? Is there a cost? Thanks
Hi Andrew,
Yes you need to register to take part in the parade. Check the official Facebook page, I am told that entries will hopefully be open later this week. As for the cost, not sure. No doubt that will be announced when registration opens.
Kind regards,
Jess
How many days will there be music for dancing. This is our first time there and we booked for two weeks 3rd to 17th
Hi Louise,
The 2017 program has yet to be released, but in previous years there has been music on each of the days. As for the type (acoustic, DJ, live band), please check back with us and I will update the page once the information is released.
Kind regards,
Jess
Has the festival been shortened for 2017?
Hi Peta,
Yes. The 2016 Cooly Rocks ran for 10 days, but the current information for 2017 is that it will run only between 7-11 June 2017.
Best regards,
Jess
I can’t work this out. One minute you are saying it is shortened will run for 3 days, next it is saying going from June 2 until June 12?
Hi Drina,
Cooly Rocks On has confirmed the dates as 7-11 June 2017.
In previous years, the festival has run for a longer period. The organisers had stated they would run a shorter festival in 2017 and, back in July 2016, advised that the festival would run between 2-12 June. These dates were updated in November 2016 and we updated our page accordingly. We aim to keep the most up to date information on our page at any given time, so I apologise for your confusion.
Have a great time at Cooly Rocks On in 2017!
Kind regards,
Jess
Hi, can you please tell me what date the dance competition is for Cooly Rocks and advise where we can get an entry form please, we are planning our dates. Kind regards, Threse
Hi Threse,
The event organisers are yet to advise dates for competitions. I suggest you check back with us in January/February, as this is when applications for food stalls and car entry will be open. I anticipate more information will come to hand around then.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi can you tell me what day the street parade will be held in 2017 please?
Hi Debbie,
The date has not yet been confirmed but the street parade usually occurs on the second Saturday of the festival. If the organisers keep with this tradition, it would make it the 10th of June. Check back with us and I will update the page once details are confirmed.
Regards,
Jess
What are the dates for coolies Rock in 2017? As I want to book accommodation early. Thankyou
Hi Margaret, thanks for contacting us.
Cooly Rocks On will be held from 2 – 12 June 2017.
If you are looking for accommodation close to the event, click the link here which will take you to a full range of options.
Best Regards,
Jess
When is the big parade on for all the cars?
Hi Graham,
The parade will be held on Saturday 11th of June along Marine Parade from Kirra to Coolangatta. Unfortunately the organisers have not specified a time as yet.
I will keep my eye out for any further information and update the page when it is to hand.
Enjoy Cooly Rocks for 2016!
Regards,
Jess
Is there a street parade on after 5:30 on saturday , 11 june 2016 with the cars going around the block, we have been going every year, I cant see it advertised. Please let me know, thànk you, Kaz
Hi All,
The organisers have now announced that the street parade will commence from 9am on Saturday 11th of June.
Enjoy the festival!
Regards,
Jess
Hi, do you know where the best place to park would be?
Hi Eileen,
I have attached a link to the road closures as well as the “park and ride” service which has a pick up and drop off service for a small fee.
You can find the link here.
Enjoy the Cooly Rocks On festival!
Regards,
Jess
Are you having the Poodle Oodle Parade this year? If so, what day and where can I register my poodle to enter the competition?
Hi Louise,
Yes, the Poodle Oodle Parade will be held during Cooly Rocks On on Sunday 12 June 2016.
I have attached the entry form here which you will need to forward on to the organisers. Entry is free.
Enjoy Cooly Rocks On 2016!
Can you send a program please?
Hi John,
There is no single program which covers all events, so the images on our page cover most of the entertainment scheduling.
Click the link here for more information.
Enjoy the festival!
Regards,
Jess
Hi can you please tell me what is the best day to see the cars on display as we would be interested in travelling up from Sydney.
Hi Anne, thanks for contacting us.
If you are interested in cars, then the best days to attend are the 11th & 12th where you will see over 1300 pre 1970 cars park up in the streets.
These two days are the largest on the festival calendar with heaps of other entertainment as well including shows, markets and competitions.
Enjoy your trip up to the Gold Coast for Cooly Rocks On 2016!
Regards,
Jess
Having not been to the event before can you tell me what time the street parade starts and where……
Thanks
Hi Kathryn,
The parade will be held on Saturday 11th of June along Marine Parade from Kirra to Coolangatta. Unfortunately the organisers have not specified a time as yet.
I will keep my eye out for any further information and update the page when it is to hand.
Enjoy Cooly Rocks for 2016!
Regards,
Jess
Is Lance Lipinski coming back to Cooly Rocks On?
Hi, thanks for your question.
Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that Lance Lipinski is part of the 2016 lineup.
Check back closer to the date as the festival organisers are yet to release the final program for 2016.
Regards,
Jess
How do we enter our car and is there a cost to enter?
Hi Danielle,
Your car can be entered with the official organisers here and the cost is between $35-$50.
Regards,
Jess
We would like to know what your line up for Coolies bands are for 2015. And are the Atomic Hi tones coming this year they are the best band around. Cheers
Hi Colin,
Looking at the official website, it looks like they are yet to release their official schedule. The only acts that have been listed in are Si Cranstoun and Pat Capocci. Their Facebook page however, has announced that The Hi-Boys will also be performing.
As for the Atomic Hi tones, there hasn’t been anything listed on their Facebook page, or the Cooly Hotel guide guide, so unfortunately no information at this point.
Keep your eyes peeled as we are just over 3 months away and I am sure they will update their information soon.
Thanks
Michael