The Gold Coast Show is the largest community event held on the Gold Coast, celebrated year after year. In 2025, the Gold Coast Show public holiday is held on Friday, 29th August 2025.
The Gold Coast Show is one of the largest community events in Queensland and, as a renowned community event, has many things for visitors to see and do.
Gold Coast Show Day 2025, Public Holiday, Rides & Ticket Prices
Visitors to the show can also discover the country culture of Australia by visiting the various stalls and purchasing some local arts and crafts. There are also art & cooking demonstrations where visitors can learn a new skill.
Rides
The Adult rides that have been at the Gold Coast Show in previous years have included the Super Nova, Cyber Party, Wave Swinger, Ferris Wheel, The Twister, Nitro Speedway, Sea Circus fun house, Ghost Train, Santa Fe Train ride, Ice Jet, Super Fun Slide, Las Vegas Dodgems, The Beast Super Machine, Crazy Cars, Mini Pirate Ship, Bungee Trampolines, The Hurricane, Jumbo Slide, Monster Truck ride, Bumper Boats, and many more.
The Juniors rides that have been at the Gold Coast Show in previous years have included Kiddies Mini Jets, Kiddies Mini Cars, Kiddies Frontier Express Train, Kiddies Chair-O-Plane, Ring Toss, Catch a Monkey, Tooth Smash Game, Jumping Castle Teacup ride, Tug and Swan merry-go-round, Vintage carousel, and many more.
Showbags
Showbags in the past have included: Bertie Beetle, Cadbury, Hubba Bubba, Yupi, Trolli, Warheads, Licorice Lovers, Ben 10, Best Friends Forever, Doctor Who, Dr Seuss, Fast & Furious, Pokemon, Powerpuff Girls, Shopkins, WWE, Assassins Creed, Captain Underpants, Girls Only, Girls Rule, Halo, Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit, Pj Masks, Rick & Morty, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thomas The Tank Engine, and more!
Getting There
G:Link services are available on each Show Day (9am to 9pm) at regular G:Link travel costs. The best light rail stop to disembark for the Show is Broadwater Parklands. This is a designated park-n-ride location for the light rail service. Parking is free of charge with standard G:link travel costs applicable.
Parking is available at Carey Car Park via Marine Parade, Southport. The car parking rate is $10 per vehicle per visit – cash payment is preferred. Accessible parking is also available at no charge to users (PWD / Accessible stickers must be displayed on vehicles to permit access).
Parking is available at Australia Fair, as per standard car park rates. Accessible parking is also available at Australia Fair.
The Taxi / Uber pick-up and drop-off is located on the Gold Coast Highway between Marine Parade and Ada Bell Way.
Hi there, do you know what day is the public holiday for the Gold Coast show in 2021?
Hi Mandy
The Gold Coast Show is due to run from 27th – 29th August 2021, so Friday the 27th will be the public holiday.
Thanks
Michael
hi with the prices for rides is it going to be the amount per each ride you go on.
Hi Maddison,
The Gold Coast Show website states “Kids rides start from $5 per ride, and more adventurous rides from $7 per ride”.
So based on that alone, the prices are for each ride you go on – not an unlimited ticket.
It appears that they have also stopped offering “BONUS DOLLARS”, where you were able to get $30 of ride passes for $25.
Thanks
Michael
how much is the ride tickets for this year gold coast?
Hi Magenta,
Apologies for the delay, as there has been no information released about ride prices until just a couple of days ago.
Looking at the Gold Coast Show’s Facebook page, it’s stated that “Kids rides start from $5 each, and more adventurous rides from $7 per ride. Each rider operator will be offering multi-ride discounts”.
With more information released, we have since added this to our website with the show schedule, event times, map and showbag list.
Thanks
Michael
how much is it to enter
Hi Noah,
Be that the Gold Coast Show is now going to be located at the Broadwater Parklands, the entry price is now free.
Thanks
Michael
if its discounted online ticket prices, how much are tickets at the gate? Paul
Hi Paul,
Not sure, I have only seen online ticket prices. Best just to purchase before you go to save on the extra cost I guess.
Regards,
Jess
Hey I’m Brianna
I was wondering the cost of the rides if you don’t buy an all day ride pass??
Hi Brianna,
The ride ticket prices haven’t been posted online, so I am unable to tell you. I suggest you contact the organisers here to see what their prices are like this year.
Kind regards,
Jess
How much is the emoji show bag, girls only show bag and girls rule show bag at the Gold Coast show. Thanks
Hi Jasmine,
Not sure on prices. Perhaps contact the organisers of the event to see if they have pricing details online.
Regards,
Jess
Hi just want to know who can buy concession tickets. Thanks
Hi Bev,
Concessions include Pensioners and Students with ID.
Kind regards,
Jess
How much are after dark tickets and rides
Hi Renee,
After Dark tickets are $15.00 (after 5.30pm and available at gate only after 5.30pm). I am not aware of after dark ride tickets however.
Kind regards,
Jess
What is the link to buy tickets?
I want 4 children + 6 ride passes, but the link on website means I have to put in adult, then when on site I get rid of adult but I am still being charged for one grr
Help needed
Hi Anna,
Here is the ticket link. I have just put through a dummy order and can see your issue. It seems that you cant “unselect” the adult ticket. I would get in contact with the organisers to make them aware of this issue. Perhaps they aren’t permitting children to attend the show unsupervised? This is the only explanation I can think of.
You can contact the organisers here: [email protected].
Regards,
Jess
Hi I was just wondering with the ride pass for Sunday if you purchase it for the day does that give you unlimited access to all rides or only certain rides? Also is it open 9am to 9pm Sunday aswell being father’s day? And concession rate for entry if we have a university card are we considered concession prices?
Em
Hi Emma,
The show is open 9am – 9pm every day, including Fathers Day. The ride pass is available for all rides at the show. A concession rate includes students, so yes, you can use your University card to get a concession rate.
Have a great time at the Gold Coast Show!
Regards,
Jess
Hi, was wondering if there was a Ferris Wheel this year at the show and a if there was a rides list? Thanks, Carly
Hi Carly,
Cant find a rides list online, so I suggest you email the show organisers at [email protected] to see if they can assist.
Kind regards,
Jess
Will the shops still open at pacific fair on the show day
Hi Mark,
Pacific Fair is open 7 days a week (excluding Good Friday, ANZAC Day, Labour Day and Christmas Day). Most stores will remain open, however please check with individual stores if you are looking for something in particular before visiting.
Kind regards,
Jess
Does the Gold Coast Show public holiday include Tamborine Mountain?
Hi Kelly,
The public holiday is for the City of Gold Coast only. Unfortunately it seems that this only extends as far as Guanba, but not to Tamborine Mountain.
Kind regards,
Jess
Is Friday 25th August 2017 a public holiday for the Gold Coast show?
Hi Sonia,
The Gold Coast Show will be held on the 1-3 September 2017, with Friday 1st September being the public holiday.
Have a great time!
Kind regards,
Jess
hi Jess
did you mean Friday
31 August?
Hi Yulia,
I am not sure quite which of Jess’ comment you are referring to since we archive people’s questions from previous years, but this year’s show in 2018 is indeed from Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September, 2018.
Thanks
Michael
Hi, I’m trying to find a list of the rides your having at he the show, thankyou
Hi Rebecca,
The list of show rides was reportedly printed in the Gold Coast bulletin but not online.
Perhaps contact the show organisers here and they may be able to further assist you.
Kind Regards,
Jess
What show bags will they have at the show
Hi Melissa,
I am unable to find an online guide as to which show bags will be on sale in 2016. There will still be the show bag pavilion as there is every year, so I expect all of the old favourites such as Cadburys, Bertie Beetle, Licorice Lovers as well as the ever present superhero and lifestyle bags. Here is a link to the bags that were available in 2015.
If you still want a full list, I suggest you contact the show organisers who can be reached at [email protected]
Best regards,
Jess
Is there a day off for schools? If so, which day? Cheers
Hi Robert,
Yes, Friday the 26th is a designated public holiday for Gold Coast residents. See the link here.
Regards,
Jess
Could you please tell me what the ride prices are and also the show bags?
Hi Wendy,
A full price of the showbags will be included in the official “Showguide” which will be released in The Weekly Times, the Herald Sun and online in early September. I will update our page when it is available.
In the meantime, I can tell you that showbag prices vary significantly, from $2 Bertie Beetle Bags to more expensive $50-$100 bags with costumes and official merchandise. Most showbags for chocolates and lollies range between $10-$25.
The prices for rides also vary but are around $5-$10 per ride per ticket. You can purchase a “ride pass” when buying your tickets. So if you expect to go on a lot of rides, this is definitely the best value.
Regards,
Jess
Hello, could you let me know what time the Gold Coast Show will be on this Friday please, thank you.
Hi Olesya,
I have hunted down the open hours for Friday and the weekend, and the gates open at 9am and it stays open until 9pm.
Looking at the event schedule there looks to be a range of activities and performances that run all throughout the day.
I hope you have a fantastic time!
Thanks,
Michael
Shame northern nsw doesn’t get this day as a public holiday..would have loved to gone and taken the kids :(
Hi just wondering how much will the rides be at the Gold Coast show 2014? I have looked at a couple sites and there have been no results
Hi EJ & Brock,
Unfortunately the information from the show itself is very limited – in terms of both a ride list and how much they cost.
Reading up on the show’s Facebook page, all they have said is that there is no ride packages as part of entry tickets and that the usual rides will be there. Not quite sure what that means, but i would say that if you went last year, you’ll probably see the same rides again.
I know from the Melbourne show that rides there are usually $10 max, so perhaps prepare for the worst and maybe you’ll end up with some spare change in your pocket at the end.
Thanks,
Michael
Hi I was just wondering if there was any showbags avaliable for us to see and check the prices
Hi Emma,
I have just searched the internet and couldn’t find prices for any of the showbags. They do have a list on the official website, but that is all.
I have seen on the Show’s Facebook page “we only have the list of what is available online”.
There was mentions of it being in today’s Gold Coast Bulletin, so maybe try get your hands on a copy.
Thanks
Michael
Hi,
I was just wondering what day the 2014 Show day public holiday fell on next year ?
I have googled many calendars many of my results varied
Kind regards
Jac ☺️
Hi Jacqui,
Thanks for emailing. I have looked at a few other sites too and Friday 29 August 2014 seems to be the date that is being listed.
Official dates will be released soon enough (they did the same thing last year), but the date above makes sense as they usually nearly all events within a day or so of the previous year.
Thanks
Michael
Hi, just wondering how much to enter the gold coast show.
Hi Shane,
I have just updated the prices on my website, but the prices for the 2013 Gold Coast Show are:
Adult: $20.00
Concession: $10.00
Children (5-14 yrs): $5.00
Family (2 Adults & 3 Children) $45.00
Children (4yrs and under): Free
Also parking is available at $10 a vehicle.
Hope this helps and have a great show day!