Swing Dancing in Brisbane & the Gold Coast
Gotta Swing Annual Events
Cooly Rocks On Festival
Celebrating the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear, Cooly Rocks On is one of Australia's largest nostalgia festivals!
Home to one of the country's best Show 'N' Shine displays, the festival showcases an impressive collection of hot rods, kustom vehicles, lowbrow art and more. As for the music, some of the best rock 'n' roll, swing, rockabilly and tribute artists from around the world descend upon Coolangatta each year.
In a unique offering, Cooly Rocks On is also one of two festivals held in Australia to host an official preliminary round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, an Elvis Presley Enterprises event, with the winner heading to Elvis Week in Memphis, USA to represent Cooly Rocks On.
The annual Cooly Rocks Pin-up Pageant is another festival favourite which celebrates the fashion and lifestyle of eras gone by.
Festival attendees can also have the chance to shop a large range of retro goods, vintage finds and memorabilia at the beach front festival markets.
With many free and ticketed entertainment options across the action-packed five-day festival, they can't wait to turn back the clock on Coolangatta!
The festival is free, however some indoor shows and other experiences do have ticket prices that can be purchased online.
Don't miss this very popular annual event as an entrant or a spectator; it's a blast from the past in a most spectacular way.
4-8 June 2025
Qld / NSW Border Towns
Coolangatta / Tweed Heads
Check out the Cooly Rocks On website for more information about this fantastic event.
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Gotta Swing also runs the annual Rock On Dance Workshops each day of the festival. More details on the Rock On Dance Workshops webpage.
Queensland Swing Dancing Events
The following information has been provided to assist Swing Dancers to know what is happening in the Brisbane and Gold Coast area.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate, details may have changed since we last updated this page. Please always check event information via the host's website for details of the event, prior to attending.
Balboa on the River
An event for balboa dancers featuring balboa-dedicated social events and classes with world-class Balboa instructors.
Classes cater to ALL levels of students, from the absolute beginners to advanced dancers and instructors. Take your knowledge of Balboa to the next level! Classes cater to ALL levels of students, from the absolute beginners to advanced dancers and instructors.
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Internationally renowned Balboa Instructors
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3 Days of Classes
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4 Nights Social Dancing
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Live Bands
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Australian Balboa Championships
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Balboa Jack and Jill Competition
Future dates to be advised
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See website for venue details.
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Registrations for this fantastic event open in July.
To read about the fabulous Guest Instructors, or for more information go to the Balboa on the River website.
Swing Events in Australia
Canberräng
Canberräng is Canberra’s festival of swing and one of Australia’s longest running and best-loved swing dance exchanges.
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Canberra
For more information check out the Canberräng website.
The Ahoy Ball
Ahoy! Climb aboard the Royale for a night of swing dancing on Sydney Harbour.
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When: November, future date to be advised
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Where: Boarding and docking at King St Wharf #8, Darling Harbour. Cruising Sydney Harbour.
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What: an evening swing dance cruise on The Royale.
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Theme: Lost on the tropical seas – a chance to have some fun with your outfit!
Sydney
See the Sydney Swing Patrol website for details.
Melbourne Lindy Exchange
The Melbourne Lindy Exchange (MLX) brings together swing dancers from around Australia and the world. Dance styles range from Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues to Shag, but the common element is a love of swingin' out and sugar foot stompin'. MLX has a long tradition of providing some of the best social dancing these shores have ever seen.
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Future event dates to be advised
Melbourne
For more information about the Jazz WKND, go to the MLX website or the MLX Facebook page.
Sydney Swing Festival
Sydney Swing Patrol hosts a massive weekend of workshops, social dancing, friends and fun!
Future event dates to be advised
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Sydney
For more information Swing Patrol Sydney website.
