Tune in to triple j’s Hottest 100 Countdown: Music lovers, gather your gaggle – the countdown is nigh. This Saturday January 22, the fine folk at Vinnies Dive in Southport will be dusting off the radio to count down every single track from the year that was 2021. Robina Pavilion is also broadcasting live from 11:00 am with rotating drink specials every hour, on the hour, and best of all, it’s a dog-friendly event. Surfers Pavilion and The Henchman are guaranteed to be a good vibe for the countdown, and if you’re keen to up the ante, SK Events is hoating a Hottest 100 party aboard a luxury 78 ft yacht. According to the unofficial countdown predictor 100 Warm Tunas, which has sucessfully picked eight out of every top ten for the past six years, this year’s top ten will feature Gang of Youths, Doja Cat, RÜFÜS DU SOL, The Kid LAROI with Justin Bieber and, wait for it, The Wiggles for that Like A Version performance. The Wiggles taking out number one, well, it is 2022 – anything is possible.

Bust a move: If you like it live and loud, get along to Miami Marketta on Friday for a set from Tex Perkins alongside Matt Walker and friends. Tex’s world-weary growl is guaranteed to make you feel all of the things. At the other end of the musical spectrum, The Coolangatta Hotel will be spinning Taylor Swift’s re-released RED album in its revised entirety on Saturday January 22, if that’s your vibe. On Sunday, Just A Tribute will take the stage at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse to pay homage to three of the best rock bands of all time – Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Incubus.

Unleash your inner artist and paint your pet: If you love your pet more than most people (same), here’s your chance to immortalise it in paint. This Saturday January 22, One Arts Gold Coast is hosting a paint and sip in honour of your beloved fur-baby. That’s right, instead of painting a pot of flowers, you send a photo (in advance) to the team, they’ll whip up a sketch of your pet and on the night you weave your creative magic to create a pop-art pawtrait of your number one. BYO snacks and nibbles.

Strap on some skates at HOTA’s pop-up Roller Rink: If you’re yet to go for a spin at HOTA’s Roller Rink, consider this your official invitation to do so as it rolls out on Sunday January 23. While you’re in the area, check out Dumpling Dreams in the Children’s Gallery or the free major exhibition Art Mixtape. There’s plenty to do afterward – enjoy some lawn games, cool off in The Big Sprinkler or simply sit back and watch the action with a coffee or refreshing bevvy from HOTA’s Pop-Up Bar.

Get bowled over at Zone Bowling’s opening weekend – Unleash your competitive streak at the all-new Zone Bowling on level one of the Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise. The nifty new alley features a dozen interactive lanes that let you customise the display of your lane and shoot flames from your ball as it rolls toward the pins. There’s a new cafe (and bar) onsite with loads of  Zone Bowling bucks up for grabs. Oh, and when you’re done, head next door to the world’s largest Timezone and settle the score on your favourite arcade games, laser tag or bumper cars. Game on!

Stamp your rosé passport at The Star Gold Coast: While our actual passports continue to gather dust, The Star Gold Coast has rolled out a very special Rosé Your Way session on Saturdays and Sundays, which allows you to purchase a Rosé Passport and frolic around four of The Star’s venues, sipping on a glass of the rose-hued drop at each spot alongside a perfectly paired snack. Each locale will offer up a different pairing – think bites such as Sydney rock oysters with a pepper-berry mignonette at Garden Kitchen & Bar, house-made mushroom arancini with truffle aioli at Cucina Vivo, Old Bay spiced potato pave and beef tartare at Nineteen at The Star.

Fill your fridge with fresh produce at your local farmers’ market: The supply chain in the major supermarkets is still heavily Covid-impacted. Save yourself from the frenzy and head along to one of the city’s amazing open-air farmers’ markets. If Saturday is your preferred day, you’ll find farm-fresh produce in abundance at Burleigh Farmers Market, which runs every Saturday from 7:00 am rain, hail or shine, Palm Beach Farmers’ Market or, on the northern end, Sanctuary Cove Farmers’ Market. HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets kick off every Sunday morning from 6:00–11:30 am and Nerang’s Lavelle Street Markets dishes up the goods from 6:30 am to midday. 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events may be subject to be postponed or cancelled at the last minute. We do our best to remove cancelled events but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.