Food, Drink and Local Markets
Keen sippers can ease into the weekend and learn all about beer and botanicals on Thursday evening at the monthly Gins and Tins night at Miami Marketta. If whisky is more your jam, you’ll be a whisky nerd in no time with the The Scottish Prince’s next Introduction to Scotch Whisky event this weekend. On Friday, chill out food-truck style while you listen to some live tunes at the Surfers Paradise Street Food Truck Feast and Makers Markets – roll out the picnic rug for this one! Hit up Miami High School on Saturday morning for some adorable outfits for the little ones at the Hide and Seek Childrens Market. Afterwards, head to The Aztec to celebrate International Margarita Day by chowing down on some nachos while you sip on some tasty cocktails. If you’re a northerner, grab some gourmet snags and watch a screening under the stars of The Secret Life of Pets at the Gainsborough Greens Food Truck Festival in Pimpama. In the mood for a Sunday shop? Nab yourself some handmade local gifts and vintage threads from Desert Digs Vintage Markets at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse. If you’re feeling peckish afterwards, head to Main Street Burger Bar for some bites and brews for the Granddad Jack’s Craft Bar Takeover. Finally, Feast on the Fairway has your Sunday afternoon covered with food trucks, live music and free kids fun at Arundel Hills Country Club.

Live Music
The coast is the place to be this weekend with a lineup of killer live acts starting on Thursday with British pop group The Hollies at The Star and continuing with Nick Nuisance and The Delinquents at Vinnies Dive on Friday. On Saturday, theres an absolutely jam-packed roster including Anty Live at Eddie’s Grub House, The Manhattan Transfer at The Star, Loose Leaf Live at Miami Shark Bar, Diesel performing his Give Me Saturday Night Solo Tour at the RSL Club in Southport, and some sweet local acts at the Soundlounge 15th Birthday Party. Sunday is also swamped with talent starting Alisha Todd & the Volcanic Lovers and The Lyrical performing at the last weekend of Seaside Sounds on Kirra Beach. There’s also free rock in the park at Summer Sunday Sounds at Paradise Point, the Lou Bradley Duo at Eddie’s Grub House and finally neo-punk twins The Garden Live at Miami Shark Bar on Sunday evening.

Community Events
Get some girl power inspo on Thursday at the Karma Collab Hub in Miami at In Conversation with Deb Farnwood. Belly laughs and beers will be served at Burleigh Brewing Co for the GC Laughs Festival Launch Party also on Thursday evening. On Saturday, fill yourself with authentic South American treats and samba the day away at La Fiesta in Broadwater Parklands in Southport. Head to Helensvale on Saturday night for the The Surrounds Summer Social, a pop-up street carnival featuring free kids fun, live music and pop-up bars for the adults (aka you). If you’re looking for family-friendly fun near the beach, catch Movies Under the Stars at Burleigh Heads on Saturday. On Sunday, you can indulge in a night of deliciously dirty comedy and cocktails at Drag Bingo at Bon Bon Bar. If you’re feeling like a road trip and dip (forever our mood) the Byron Bay Surf Festival is running from February 20 to 24 with plenty of surf-related free and ticketed events over the weekend. Don’t forget to check out the Sand Safari Arts Festival in Surfers Paradise before the sculptures are washed away forever on Sunday. On that note –  be sure to check the Facebook pages for this weekend’s events first for updates, just in case Cyclone Oma drops by to say g’day.