Catch Dope Lemon at Gold Coast Sessions Surf Fest!

Get ready for a massive swell of music, film and wave culture as the Sessions Surf Festival prepares to take over the Gold Coast this May. Returning for its second year in Australia, the event was formerly known as the Solento Surf Festival but enters 2026 with a refreshed name and a significantly expanded programme. While the festival promises an extensive look into all aspects of surf culture, the spotlight this year is shining brightly on live music.

Kicking things off on Saturday, 23 May, Miami Marketta will host a major live music event headlined by none other than Dope Lemon, the celebrated indie-rock project of Angus Stone. The lineup is already looking stacked, with Babe Rainbow, Mt. Warning and Makua confirmed to take the stage. In a fantastic move for the local creative community, there are also two open spots on the bill reserved specifically for Gold Coast artists. Submissions are currently open on the festival’s website, offering emerging talent a chance to share the stage alongside some heavyweights of the Australian music industry.

Festival founder and acclaimed surf filmmaker Taylor Steele says the expansion was a natural progression. “The Gold Coast understands surf culture at every level,” Steele explains. “You’ve got some of the best surf breaks, elite performance, deep history, a strong creative community of people. When we brought the festival here last year, the response was immediate, so coming back bigger in 2026 was an easy call”.

Steele adds that the goal for this year is to grow the community experience. “Last year showed us what’s possible on the Gold Coast. This year, we’re building on that foundation with more days, more music, more film, and more community moments”.

The festival itself runs from 23 to 30 May, Beyond the main concert, visual arts will be celebrated at HOTA, Home of the Arts, starting Tuesday, 26 May. This exhibition will feature surf-inspired pieces from leading local contemporary artists like Otis Carey, Karlee Mackie, Paul McNeil and Jai Vasicek.

Film screenings remain a central part of the programme, with premieres and curated showcases from both Australian and international storytellers taking place at the Mondrian Gold Coast on Thursday, 28 May and Friday, 29 May.

To wrap up the festivities, Saturday, 30 May will see a massive Surf Festival Takeover at Burleigh Headland. Locals will have the chance to surf head-to-head with professionals. Fans can also catch the returning Surf of Origin competition, where rugby league greats and surf legends face off in a friendly Queensland versus New South Wales heat.

The event is supported by Experience Gold Coast and Councillor Josh Martin, alongside brand partners such as Balter Brewing Company, White Claw, Vissla, Maxum Watches, Posca Hydrate, Sun Bum and Firewire. These collaborations will bring pop-up beach bars by Solento Tequila, Balter Brewing, and White Claw to the Burleigh Headland takeover, complete with local food vendors and more live music.

Mayor Tom Tate is equally enthusiastic about the event’s return. “Our city’s star is on the rise as we continue to attract the best surfing festivals in Australia,” he shares. Tate encourages locals to get involved, noting that the festival appeals to anyone with an appreciation for photography, art, nature and the ocean.