Experience spectacular outdoor art at the SWELL Sculpture Festival along Currumbin Beach this September 2026. Perfect for a memorable coastal day trip from Brisbane, parents and kids can explore over 80 large-scale sculptures, join interactive clay and craft workshops, enjoy story sessions, and meet roaming dinosaurs along the shore.
SWELL Sculpture Festival
The SWELL Sculpture Festival returns in 2026, transforming Currumbin Beach into a spectacular outdoor gallery for ten days of creativity, exploration and family fun.
Now in its 24th year, this much-loved free event will showcase more than 80 large-scale sculptures by local, national and international artists. Set against the stunning backdrop of Currumbin Beach, the festival connects people, art and place, inviting visitors to wander along the shoreline and experience incredible works of art in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
Families are encouraged to make a day of it and immerse themselves in everything SWELL has to offer. Kids can get hands-on at the SWELL Kids Elements program, held at the brand-new hub in Len Wort Park on Teemangum Street. Open daily, this vibrant space will feature interactive activities, workshops, wellness experiences and plenty of delicious food and coffee.
Beyond the sculptures, visitors can dive deeper into the creative world through artist talks, guided twilight walks, sculptural workshops and masterclasses. The SWELL Fringe Festival adds even more to explore, with live music, morning beach meditations, artist panels and pop-up exhibitions bringing extra buzz to the event.
Whether you’re an art lover, a curious explorer or simply looking for a memorable day out with the family, the SWELL Sculpture Festival is the perfect reason for a beachside adventure. Come and experience the magic for yourself in 2026.
SWELL Kids Elements, Free Events
- Storyfest Beach Library: Daily, 9.00am to 3.00pm, Len Wort Park. Pause by the shore, discover new worlds and take stories home.
- Storyfest Author Session: Sat 12 Sep, 9.30 to 10.30am, Len Wort Park.
- Swing into Spring with Nutsy: Daily, 9.30 to 9.45am, Len Wort Park. Sing and dance with Nutsy the Koala, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s conservation ambassador.
- Seedling Planter Workshop: Daily, 10.30am to 3.30pm, Len Wort Park. Decorate a recycled pot and plant a seedling to take home (no booking required). Presented by Southern Beaches Community Garden.
- Roaming Dinos Meet and Greet: Daily, 10.45am to 12.00pm, Len Wort Park. Pat a baby dinosaur, snap a photo and pick up some prehistoric fun facts.
SWELL Kids Elements, Ticketed Events
- Finding Your Way: Frottage Sculpture Trail by BLUSS: Daily, 8.00am to 5.00pm, Currumbin Beach. $5 for a SWELL Passport (available at any Info Hub). Follow the trail of 8 tactile frottage plates and make rubbings as you go.
- Finding Your Way: Create Your Own Unique Artwork (guided tour with Russell Solomon): Fri 11 Sep, 11.00 to 11.45am, SWELL Smalls Gallery, 766 Pacific Parade. $20 plus booking fee (includes SWELL Passport and pencil).
- Painted Wall Hanging: Weekends, 10.00am to 4.00pm, Len Wort Park. $10 plus booking fee. Design and paint a 15cm timber wall hanging to take home.
- Play With Clay with Monte Lupo: Weekends, 10.00am to 4.00pm, Sculpture Studio 1, Len Wort Park. $20 plus booking fee. Try the pottery wheel, all skill levels welcome.
- Recycled Monsters: Hand Sewn Soft Sculpture Workshop: Sat 12 Sep, 10.00am to 3.30pm (3 sessions), SWELL Smalls Gallery, VIKA Currumbin. $23.57 plus booking fee. Turn recycled fabric into a quirky soft-sculpture monster.
- HAPY Circus Play: Sat 19 Sep, 10.30 to 11.30am, Len Wort Park. $10. Learn hula hooping, skipping tricks, spinning plates and flower sticks.
- Chakradance Kids™ Wellbeing Activity: Sun 20 Sep, 10.30 to 11.30am, Yulagi Space, Len Wort Park. $7.14 plus booking fee. Mindfulness through movement, story and music.
- Sculpting with Sarah Roth: Sun 20 Sep, 10.00am to 12.00pm, Fringe Pavilion, Wallace Nicoll Park. $78.57 plus booking fee. A 2-hour ceramics workshop for ages 10 to 15, creating coral reef-inspired sculptures.
Plan your visit
When: Friday 11th September – Sunday 20th September 2026
Where: Currumbin Beach and surrounding Gold Coast venues
Cost: Mix of free and ticketed events (main exhibition on the beach is free)
More information: SWELL Sculpture Festival
