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Cooly Rocks On
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Cooly Rocks On

The Cooly Rocks On festival is a popular and unique music and car show in Coolangatta. It boasts many classic car displays, vintage outfits, live music, dancing, and pageants.

This 5-day long car show is one of the major events of the region and attracts thousands of visitors to the Gold Coast year after year.

Cooly Rocks On 2025 Dates & Program Schedule, Hotel Accommodation

Join us as we celebrate the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear at Cooly Rocks On! Recently awarded GOLD in the Major Festivals & Events category at the Queensland Tourism Awards 2022, come check out why Cooly Rocks On is Australia’s favourite nostalgia festival!

Renowned as one of Australia’s best Show ’N’ Shine displays, Coolangatta will be transported back in time as the streets are lined with over 900 incredible cars. Discover the best hot rods, kustom vehicles and lowbrow art in Kustomville, then wander through Goodwin Park and get close to a massive variety of vehicles, scooters, bikes and more! For the die-hard motor enthusiasts, participate in this incredible display by showcasing your pride and joy, or partake in one of two (or why not both) Car Runs!

Put on your best dancing shoes and boogie to the tunes of yesteryear you know and love! Cooly Rocks On packs a punch every year with an incredible lineup of some of the best rock ’n’ roll, swing, rockabilly and tribute artists worldwide. In a unique offering, Cooly Rocks On is also only one of two festivals in Australia to host an official preliminary round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, an Elvis Presley Enterprises-sanctioned event, with the winner heading straight to Elvis Week in Memphis. Let’s get all shook up!

Now, to put the cherry on top, Cooly Rocks On wouldn’t be the festival it is without celebrating the lifestyle of yesteryear. The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant celebrates the classic and rockabilly styles, and the Cooly Rocks On Moonlight Swing Dance, a 1940s-style shindig, provides plenty of time for attendees to dance the night away. There’s also the newly added Beachside Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance for those wanting to keep their feet busy on the dance floor. But that’s not all! You’ll have the chance to shop a range of retro goods, vintage finds and memorabilia from the eras gone by with a massive number of markets along the beachfront.

Throughout the festival, you will also hear live music from a massive range of rock’n’roll, swing, big band, blues and jazz bands. Retro markets and food vendors will also trade from Thursday to Sunday during the festival.

Book your accommodation early near Cooly Rocks On by clicking the link below.

About the author

Michael Jones

Michael created and runs the Gold Coast Point website, as well as the Holiday Point travel brand that incorporates a network of 16 location based travel information and attraction websites around Australia, Asia, and around the world.

With 25+ years of online experience and a passion for travel (having lived on the Gold Coast and has visited many times), Michael not only researches and writes content for the website, he also tinkers behind the scenes with the website functionality & design.

Please reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.

48 Comments

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  • Many people would like to know the actual Line-Up for Cooly rocks On 2021 so that we can plan our schedule..
    We can’t find it anywhere. no mention of Bands, Artists, Venues, times or anything. Very Frustrating !

    • Hi John,

      I know exactly where you are coming from. As I just run a local tourism information website, I do rely on the official event sources for all of my information.

      I actually updated my page last week, but as you found, there is little information available at this stage, with the event schedule and some of the venues haven’t been confirmed.

      All I can suggest is to follow their Facebook page and check their official website for any new information. Otherwise, you can try to reach them on 1300 035 189 or [email protected] for information they might not have made public yet.

    • Hi Lance,

      Expressions of interest are still open for artists who wish to perform at Cooly Rocks On, so the performance schedule will not be finalised for a few months it seems. Check back with us as I will update our page once the details are confirmed.

      Best regards,
      Jess

        • Hi Anne,

          The organisers of Cooly Rocks On have released parts of the 2018 program schedule online. This is what we have so far:

          – Shannons Show n’ Shine: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June 2018. Over 1,000 classic cars (pre-1970’s) will be on display in special locations in Tweed, Kirra & Coolangatta.
          – Street Parade: Saturday 9 June 2018. A parade along the beachfront which will stretch for 2kms. Filled with classic cars, floats, bikes, music and so much more!
          – Miss Cooly Rocks On 2018: Thursday 7 June 2018, from 6pm. Come and watch some beautiful ladies compete with their unique vintage looks for an amazing prize.
          – Shannons SuperCruise: Saturday 9th June 2018, 6-8pm. Check out cars in action as they cruise Marine Parade and Griffith Street in Coolangatta.
          – Poodles and Pugs Parade: Sunday 10th June 2018, 10-11.30am The popular poodle parade is back with competitions for Best in Show, Best Groomed, Best Dog Trick, Waggiest Tail, Cute Factor and Owner and Pooch Lookalike.
          – Dance Workshops: Friday 8th June 2018 & Sunday 10th June 2018. Warner Stage, Greenmount Stage and Jack Evans Stage.

        • Hi Terry,

          I’m sorry that you are so upset, but it appears you have simply had trouble locating the page. The lineup of musicians has been announced here.

          Best regards,
          Jess

    • Hi Drina,

      Yes, Park ‘n’ Ride will be available again in 2018, but details are yet to be confirmed about the bus route and cost. Check back in early 2018 as I will update our page once the organisers confirm details.

      Best regards,
      Jess

        • Hi Ruth,

          Not sure what to tell you beyond what is already posted on our page. I am also waiting for further details to be released. Perhaps contact the organisers directly to see if they can enlighten you about the map and Park n Ride on (07) 5534 3500.

          Regards,
          Jess

  • Hi, this will be our first time attending Coolies 2017 and we are bringing up a car. Do we have to nominate to go into the parade or do we just show up? Is there a cost? Thanks

    • Hi Louise,

      The 2017 program has yet to be released, but in previous years there has been music on each of the days. As for the type (acoustic, DJ, live band), please check back with us and I will update the page once the information is released.

      Kind regards,
      Jess

        • Hi Drina,

          Cooly Rocks On has confirmed the dates as 7-11 June 2017.

          In previous years, the festival has run for a longer period. The organisers had stated they would run a shorter festival in 2017 and, back in July 2016, advised that the festival would run between 2-12 June. These dates were updated in November 2016 and we updated our page accordingly. We aim to keep the most up to date information on our page at any given time, so I apologise for your confusion.

          Have a great time at Cooly Rocks On in 2017!

          Kind regards,
          Jess

    • Hi Threse,

      The event organisers are yet to advise dates for competitions. I suggest you check back with us in January/February, as this is when applications for food stalls and car entry will be open. I anticipate more information will come to hand around then.

      Best regards,
      Jess

    • Hi Debbie,

      The date has not yet been confirmed but the street parade usually occurs on the second Saturday of the festival. If the organisers keep with this tradition, it would make it the 10th of June. Check back with us and I will update the page once details are confirmed.

      Regards,
      Jess

    • Hi Graham,

      The parade will be held on Saturday 11th of June along Marine Parade from Kirra to Coolangatta. Unfortunately the organisers have not specified a time as yet.

      I will keep my eye out for any further information and update the page when it is to hand.

      Enjoy Cooly Rocks for 2016!

      Regards,
      Jess

    • Is there a street parade on after 5:30 on saturday , 11 june 2016 with the cars going around the block, we have been going every year, I cant see it advertised. Please let me know, thànk you, Kaz

    • Hi Anne, thanks for contacting us.

      If you are interested in cars, then the best days to attend are the 11th & 12th where you will see over 1300 pre 1970 cars park up in the streets.

      These two days are the largest on the festival calendar with heaps of other entertainment as well including shows, markets and competitions.

      Enjoy your trip up to the Gold Coast for Cooly Rocks On 2016!

      Regards,
      Jess

    • Hi Kathryn,

      The parade will be held on Saturday 11th of June along Marine Parade from Kirra to Coolangatta. Unfortunately the organisers have not specified a time as yet.

      I will keep my eye out for any further information and update the page when it is to hand.

      Enjoy Cooly Rocks for 2016!

      Regards,
      Jess

    • Hi, thanks for your question.

      Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that Lance Lipinski is part of the 2016 lineup.

      Check back closer to the date as the festival organisers are yet to release the final program for 2016.

      Regards,
      Jess

    • Hi Colin,

      Looking at the official website, it looks like they are yet to release their official schedule. The only acts that have been listed in are Si Cranstoun and Pat Capocci. Their Facebook page however, has announced that The Hi-Boys will also be performing.

      As for the Atomic Hi tones, there hasn’t been anything listed on their Facebook page, or the Cooly Hotel guide guide, so unfortunately no information at this point.

      Keep your eyes peeled as we are just over 3 months away and I am sure they will update their information soon.

      Thanks
      Michael

What date is the Cooly Rocks On?
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What is the Cooly Rocks On address?
Marine Parade, Griffith St, Wharf St, Twin Towns, Jack Evans Boat Harbour & More, Coolangatta, QLD

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