The streets of Miami are officially alive with colour. We are currently halfway through the sixth annual SURFACE Festival, which kicked off on the first of July and runs right through to the 19th. If you haven’t had a chance to get down and explore the vibrant programme of public art, live music, and community events yet, there is still plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere.
Produced by the creative team behind Miami Marketta alongside the local business community, the festival has grown from a simple street art showcase into one of the Gold Coast’s most distinctive cultural events. Visitors are invited to stroll, ride, or roll through Miami to discover everyday spaces transformed by creativity.
Grab your furry friends this weekend
A major highlight still to come is the PAWS, PAINT & PLAY event happening this Saturday, 11 July, from 10am at Ernie Tebb Park. Presented by Active & Healthy City of Gold Coast, this free community morning blends art, movement, and a whole lot of community spirit.
You can kick things off with family-friendly sports on the newly renovated basketball courts, followed by a guided dog walk along the Miami fenceline trail led by the iconic Dulux Dog. Along the walk, you can catch live mural painting and even score a free “Bad Pet Portrait” between 10am and 11am.
A standout feature of the weekend will be artist KnivesXOnly painting a large-scale, adoption-themed mural. Inspired by their own rescue Blue Heeler from the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ), the artwork highlights the importance of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. The site will also serve as a donation point for the remainder of the festival, so bring along any second-hand goods to help support AWLQ and local shelters.
The SURFACE mural trail already boasts more than 50 murals across Miami, Burleigh Heads, and Nobbys Beach. This year, 11 new artworks are being added to the trail, ensuring the suburb remains a vibrant creative hub.
Festival Director Emma Milikins explains that the community is at the absolute heart of the programme.
“While the murals often become the most visible outcome of the festival, SURFACE is really about bringing people together. It’s about creating opportunities for artists, schools, businesses, families and local organisations to collaborate, connect and celebrate creativity in shared public spaces,” she said.
“We’re incredibly proud to create a festival that not only transforms walls but strengthens community connections and leaves a lasting impact long after the paint has dried.”
With plenty of large-scale mural installations, exhibitions, and workshops still happening until July 19, now is the perfect time to head out and connect with Miami’s thriving creative community.
Surface Festival runs through until July 19
