Get ready, Gold Coast! These September school holidays, the ultimate playground is waiting for you at HOTA, Home of the Arts. The annual Kids Take Over festival is back from 14 to 26 September 2026, and it is going to be absolutely packed with theatre, circus, music, and heaps of free interactive experiences designed to ignite young imaginations.

Transforming every corner of the HOTA precinct in , this exciting festival invites children and their families to explore a world of storytelling, discovery, and play. It is the perfect place to leave the everyday behind and dive into a non-stop holiday adventure.

Meet Giant Dinosaurs and Hilarious Detectives

To kick off the school holidays, you can dance along to a free live music concert by the incredible Hot Potato Band. But make sure you keep your eyes peeled, because there are some prehistoric visitors on the loose! The internationally acclaimed team at Erth’s Dinosaurs is bringing life-like prehistoric creatures to HOTA. You will get to watch these massive beasts stomp, roar, and walk right in front of you in an unforgettable show.

If you love a good laugh, you cannot miss Finnegan the Fart Detective, created by Arena Theatre Company and Lachlan Woods. You will get to join the world’s most unusual detective to help solve a hilarious, smelly mystery adventure. Or, if you prefer high-flying action, you can watch Arc Circus perform A Bee Story. This spectacular show uses amazing acrobatics to tell a story about how important bees are to our planet.

Speaking of the planet, this year’s festival has sustainability and environmental awareness woven throughout the entire programme. You will see a striking giant solar sunflower powering the Lawn Bar to show clean energy in action. You can also meet famous environmental champions Dirtgirl, Scrapboy, and Costa the Garden Gnome for some hands-on gardening, recycling, and fun outdoor activities that connect you with the natural world.

Splash into the Ultimate Lakeside Party

For the first time ever, Evandale Lake is hosting a free Lake Party! You can spend a sunny morning watching giant bubbles float across the Gold Coast skyline courtesy of The Bubble Canteen. You can also learn to paddle board on the water, try Taiko drumming, or ride the skate ramps. If you love animals, you can hang out with some furry friends at the Karmably Goat Zone, or get creative at the pop-up craft workshops. There is even a Hip Hop Jam where you can show off your best dance moves, and a chance to discover the rich Indigenous history of Evandale Park.

If you want to discover what is happening deep underground, you can explore Seasons. This is an immersive quest where you will travel down the rabbit hole to find a hidden world beneath the forest floor. You will meet strange characters, uncover unseen ecosystems, and learn about the remarkable rhythms of life below the surface. Best of all, you and your family can add your own creations to help this living art installation grow throughout the festival.

As the sun goes down, the fun does not stop. A night-time adventure called Night Walkers will transform the lakeside. You will get to walk past giant, glowing, inflatable frogs that light up the parklands right next to the Nerang River.

Rachael Edwards, Experience Gold Coast Senior Producer, said Kids Take Over continues to inspire curiosity while making world-class arts experiences accessible for children and families.

“Kids Take Over is where imaginations run wild,” she said. “It’s a place for children and families to leave the everyday behind and dive into a world of imagination, adventure and play. Whether they’re building, making, performing or exploring, every experience is designed to spark curiosity, encourage big ideas and inspire the next generation of creators, dreamers and entrepreneurs.”

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your family, pack a bag, and prepare for a day of non-stop holiday fun at HOTA!