The Cooly Rocks On festival is a popular and unique music and car show that boasts many classic car displays as well as vintage costumes, live music and a massive parade in Coolangatta.
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 2018 Dates & Program Schedule, Hotel Accommodation
Cooly Rocks On not only boasts a wonderful display of vintage and classic cars, but also features Rock ‘n Roll, Rockabilly and Swing music shows and dancing with some world-class performances from the 50’s and 60’s era. The event also includes memorabilia displays, live music, street parades and concerts.This popular festival also invites its visitors to indulge in a vintage atmosphere as it presents over 100 retro market stalls and 100 craft market stalls where you can purchase classic style clothing and souvenirs.
You can also check out the massive swap meet and catch a late night drive-in movie. Step back in time while watching the amazing rock ‘n roll shows and check out the wide collection of classic cars on display.
Make sure you stay for the final weekend as the fun of the event culminates into a huge party where the streets are closed and the streets come alive with live music, parades, competitions and displays.
The main events scheduled for Cooly Rocks On in 2018 are as follows:
- Drive in Movies: (DATE TBA) Bring your car or a picnic blanket and enjoy some classic movies under the stars. Pre-registration required.
- Shannons Show n’ Shine: (DATE TBA) Over 1,300 classic cars (pre-1970’s) will be on display in special locations in Tweed, Kirra & Coolangatta.
- Street Parade: (DATE TBA) 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: (DATE TBA) Come and watch some beautiful ladies compete with their unique vintage looks for an amazing prize.
- Fireworks: (DATE TBA) After dark.
- Poodle Oodle Parade: (DATE TBA) 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.
- Kids Pedal Car Show’n’Shine: (DATE TBA) Customised ‘tot rods’ for little ones as they cruise up and down the streets of Coolangatta.
- Dance Championship: (DATE TBA) Come and watch some of Australia’s best rock ‘n roll, swing and rockabilly dancers compete for the championship prize!
- Miss Rockabilly 2018: (DATE TBA) There will be 12 finalists competing for the best performance and rockabilly personality.
Throughout the festival, you will also hear live music from a huge range of rock’n’roll, swing, big band, blues and jazz bands. There will also be retro markets and food vendors trading from Thursday to Sunday during the festival.
Book your accommodation early near Cooly Rocks On by clicking the link below.
Trying to find out what bands are playing, where and when? Went on line but can only find the 2017 listing.
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
We have just booked for Cooly Rocks 2018. Can you tell me, do you have free buses from Palm Beach to Coolangatta? If not can you tell me what the cost of the buses are? Thank you.
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, 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 Andrew,
Yes you need to register to take part in the parade. Check the official Facebook page, I am told that entries will hopefully be open later this week. As for the cost, not sure. No doubt that will be announced when registration opens.
Kind regards,
Jess
How many days will there be music for dancing. This is our first time there and we booked for two weeks 3rd to 17th
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
Has the festival been shortened for 2017?
Hi Peta,
Yes. The 2016 Cooly Rocks ran for 10 days, but the current information for 2017 is that it will run only between 7-11 June 2017.
Best regards,
Jess
I can’t work this out. One minute you are saying it is shortened will run for 3 days, next it is saying going from June 2 until June 12?
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, can you please tell me what date the dance competition is for Cooly Rocks and advise where we can get an entry form please, we are planning our dates. Kind regards, Threse
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 can you tell me what day the street parade will be held in 2017 please?
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
What are the dates for coolies Rock in 2017? As I want to book accommodation early. Thankyou
Hi Margaret, thanks for contacting us.
Cooly Rocks On will be held from 2 – 12 June 2017.
If you are looking for accommodation close to the event, click the link here which will take you to a full range of options.
Best Regards,
Jess
When is the big parade on for all the cars?
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 All,
The organisers have now announced that the street parade will commence from 9am on Saturday 11th of June.
Enjoy the festival!
Regards,
Jess
Hi, do you know where the best place to park would be?
Hi Eileen,
I have attached a link to the road closures as well as the “park and ride” service which has a pick up and drop off service for a small fee.
You can find the link here.
Enjoy the Cooly Rocks On festival!
Regards,
Jess
Are you having the Poodle Oodle Parade this year? If so, what day and where can I register my poodle to enter the competition?
Hi Louise,
Yes, the Poodle Oodle Parade will be held during Cooly Rocks On on Sunday 12 June 2016.
I have attached the entry form here which you will need to forward on to the organisers. Entry is free.
Enjoy Cooly Rocks On 2016!
Can you send a program please?
Hi John,
There is no single program which covers all events, so the images on our page cover most of the entertainment scheduling.
Click the link here for more information.
Enjoy the festival!
Regards,
Jess
Hi can you please tell me what is the best day to see the cars on display as we would be interested in travelling up from Sydney.
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
Having not been to the event before can you tell me what time the street parade starts and where……
Thanks
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
Is Lance Lipinski coming back to Cooly Rocks On?
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
How do we enter our car and is there a cost to enter?
Hi Danielle,
Your car can be entered with the official organisers here and the cost is between $35-$50.
Regards,
Jess
We would like to know what your line up for Coolies bands are for 2015. And are the Atomic Hi tones coming this year they are the best band around. Cheers
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