Make magical holiday memories with Sunshine Coast Council – from workshops to events, and take-home activities to amazing days out – there is plenty to keep the kids busy this summer.

There’s something for everyone, from exploring the great outdoors at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, to trying a new Adventure Sunshine Coast trail or stepping back in time at Bankfoot House.

With so much on offer, start planning now and remember, places are limited for some events, book early to avoid disappointment.

Sunshine Coast Council's summer school holiday guide

Secret Garden

Don’t miss out on the final Secret Garden of 2023.

Set in tranquil bushland, a line-up of local musicians will sing out the series.

Featuring The Lyrical, Anna & Jordan and Asher Chapman plus special guests.

This family-friendly ticketed event is the perfect laid-back start to the school holidays.

When: Sunday, December 10, 2.45 – 6.30pm.

Where: The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

Details: Visit the Troubadour Wagons website.

Meet the Forest Fellowship

In the forest, no single species can survive on its own - it takes teamwork to make a healthy forest grow.

Discover how the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve team works together at the new exhibit: Forest Fellowship.

Find all the fun facts, make your own felt fellowship at the craft area or borrow a junior ranger kit (equipped with binoculars and nature journal) for your walk in the rainforest.

When: Open 7 days, 9.30am – 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Where: The Rainforest Discovery Centre at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, 148 Mountain View Road, Maleny.

Details: Visit the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve website.

Discovery Guide

For a great day out, check out the Discovery Guide on Council’s Heritage website. Your comprehensive heritage guide to the Sunshine Coast region.

Plus, when you pay for your next entry to a Sunshine Coast museum, or give a donation, you will receive a Museum VIP card that will give you discount at other museums. Only available at participating museums.

Bushland Festive Craft Day

Celebrate the festive season and get creative in the local bushland.

Free eco-activities for children four-years and older, led by Natureweavers.

Learn to craft instruments and decorations from natural materials, make a self-watering garden bed gift, dream up a wish for the new year at The Giving Tree and join in nature games with new friends.

All activities are free but registration is required. Limited materials available so be sure to register.

When: Saturday, December 16, 10am – 1pm.

Where: The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

Details: Visit the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden website to register.

Festive on the Green

Head to the Sunshine Coast Stadium to enjoy Council’s festive event for 2023.

Local maker market stalls, street food, interactive activities, giveaways, plus on-stage and roving performances.

Entry is free but bookings are essential. Free sustainable transport parking service or $5 paid parking.

When: Saturday, December 16, 3.30 – 8.30pm

Where: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina

Details: Visit Council’s events website to register.

The great botanic race

Keen to get your older children out of the house and on the move?

A new challenge has been set for the Great Botanic Race – an orienteering activity with a puzzle to solve.

Grab a friend, pick up a map at the front entrance and explore the botanic garden. Run, walk or race to find all the letters.

The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden is open 7am – 6pm daily.

Where: The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

Marvellous museums

It’s all going on at Bankfoot House and Landsborough Museum these holidays.

At Bankfoot House, enjoy Christmas crafts, peg dolls and paper crafts, butter churning, pioneer play and more.

Make your own Christmas decorations to either take home or add the tree at Landsborough Museum, search for the elf on the shelf or spot the difference in the then and now exhibition.

Entry is free, with bookings required for some activities.

When: Saturday, December 9, to Sunday, January 21, 10am – 3pm Wednesday to Sunday.

Where: Bankfoot House – 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains and Landsborough Museum – 4 Maleny Street, Landsborough.

Details: Visit heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

Celebrate the new year

This New Year’s Eve, enjoy fireworks displays in Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Coolum

At Mooloolaba, there’s entertainment for the family in the gated event zone with security in place to ensure everyone has a great, safe, and fun evening.

Displays: Mooloolaba 8.30pm and midnight, Caloundra 9.30pm and Coolum 8.30pm.

Getting there: Visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au for information on parking and getting to the event.

Safety: New Year’s Eve Mooloolaba is a drug, glass and alcohol-free event.

Details: Visit events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

Adventure Sunshine Coast

Looking to get outdoors with the family these school holidays?

For more than 250 walking, running, paddling, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding trails on the Sunshine Coast, visit Council’s Adventure Sunshine Coast website and choose your next adventure.

Explore Sunshine Coast Libraries this summer

December program

Cards of Kindness – Create handmade kindness cards to share with others.
Festive Fables - Step through the pages and into a world of wonder during this special Storytime session.
Scavenger Hunt - Search the library for hidden treasures and check them off as you find them.
Upcycle the Coast - Using mixed media, upcycle heritage images from across the Sunshine Coast.
Games Day – Challenge your nearest and dearest to a good ole showdown!

January program

Curious Creations – Use your imagination to create a curious masterpiece with assorted collage materials.
The Book Nook – Bring the magic of books alive in your very own creation of a miniature ‘book world’ using assorted materials.
I Dream of Libraries – Constructing libraries out of cardboard, create the library of your dreams. Installations will be featured across libraries for the month of February.
Build-a-Portrait – Bend and twist coloured pipe cleaners to create your very own self-portrait masterpiece.
STEM - Put your problem-solving skills to the test with one of three STEM activities: Chains of Glory, Stack ‘em up and Structures of the World.
A Story of Summer – Join us for a special summertime story session.
Stop Go Animation - Unleash your inner film maker and learn simple animation through the creation of a stop-go film.
Cards of Kindness – Spread kindness this holiday season by creating handmade cards to be shared with others.

Visit Sunshine Coast Libraries website for details and to register.

Book your spot with this clever club

Students who want to keep their brains humming over the holidays need to read on.

Sunshine Coast Council Libraries are again running their annual Summer Reading Club.

Children are invited to participate in our free interactive reading program. It’s super easy to join and there are plenty of great prizes up for grabs.

When: From December 1 until January 31.

Details: Visit the Sunshine Coast Council Libraries website.

Take-home Teen Program Packs

Create an imaginative portraiture with our ‘Build-a-Portrait’ pack. Using pipe cleaners and other unconventional materials from the comfort of the couch, this take-home pack has no rules, encouraging teens to use their own creativity.

When: Register for your Teen Program Pack now and pick up from your local library from Saturday, December 9.

Details: Visit the Sunshine Coast Council Libraries website.

Experience Caloundra Regional Gallery

Visit the gallery’s latest exhibition Variation and Autonomy: The Prints of Contemporary Japanese Painters and join the Kids Art Trail. On show Friday December 8 – Sunday January 21.

Wind-down in the gallery Makerspace and follow the self-guided instructions to create a delightful origami gift box. Free family friendly activity from Friday 8 – Sunday 31 December.

Details: Visit the Caloundra Regional Gallery website.

Need even more school holiday inspo?

Why not pack a picnic and visit one (or many!) of Council’s marvellous parks and gardens, make a splash at a Council aquatic centre, hone your skills at a Council skate and bmx park, or snap a selfie along Council’s scenic Coastal Pathway.