JPL’s Guide to Christmas on the Gold Coast 2025
Check out the Christmas events happening on the Gold Coast this year!
Any views shared or expressed at events should not be taken as being an opinion of the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek MP. The collection of this data has been put together for the benefit of the community.
Christmas Markets
Christmas Carols
Christmas at HOTA
Christmas Miscellaneous
Christmas Support Lunches
A message from the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek MP;
The festive season is a time of joy and togetherness for many, but it may spark feelings of loneliness and anxiety in others. Financial difficulties and isolation can make it a difficult time for some members of our community, and it's important to know you aren't alone. If you're feeling vulnerable, help is available and the following organisations can assist you.
If you are wanting to help those less fortunate this Christmas, there are a number of local organisations you can volunteer for and those details are also listed.
Thank you for your support in 2025, I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
For mental health support 24/7:
Lifeline Australia - Call 13 11 14 for to chat with a Crisis Supporter.
Beyond Blue - Chat to a counsellor via the telephone by calling 1300 22 4636 or Webchat Support Service by visiting the QR Code
Kids Helpline - Call 1800 55 1800 for a chat.
For State Government Support:
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office on the below details or Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Email: surfers.paradise@parliament.qld.gov.au
Phone: 07 5600 2100
Basket Brigade Gold Coast
To receive: Christmas baskets are delivered wherever it is needed, please contact the Gold Coast Basket Brigade if you know an area or family that may require one.
To volunteer: Help pack and deliver Christmas food hampers on December 14 8:30-11.30am at All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac.
To donate: Support the Gold Coast Basket Brigade in their mission to deliver 500 food and gift baskets to families in need this Christmas. Find the donation page on the Magic Moments website https://www.magicmoments.org.au/basket-brigades/gold-coast-bb/?program=BB&BB=GC
Wesley Mission Queensland’s Red Bag Appeal
To receive: Wesley Mission Queensland provides support to people in need on the Gold Coast. They understand that the cost of living pressures and unexpected expenses at Christmas time are difficult to manage for many families and individuals. That’s why this year their goal is to distribute more than 3,000 Red Bags and raise $100,000 in donations. Their Red Bags provide essentials such as food, as well as Christmas treats and toys.
To donate: If you would like to donate to Wesley Mission Queensland’s Red Bag initiative, while the return date for the bags has passed, you can still make an online donation by visiting https://www.wmq.org.au/donate
QCWA Coolangatta Branch
When: Tuesday 2 and 9 December | 9:30am – 11:30am
Where: 169 Griffith Street, Coolangatta QLD 4225.
The QCWA Coolangatta Branch are asking for donations to go towards Christmas Care Packs and Hampers for victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable members of our community.
To donate: Donations can be dropped off at the QCWA Hall located at 169 Griffith Street, Coolangatta QLD 4225.
Donation drop-off times: December 2nd and 9th from 9:30am to 11:30am. Please contact Karen 0422 864 111 for further details.
Burleigh Heads Lions Club - Christmas Lunch
When: Sunday 7 December | 12 m – 2pm
Where: Share N Care, 31 Tenth Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
The Burleigh Heads Lions Club is hosting a free Christmas lunch for seniors in our community who might otherwise spend the day by themselves.
To donate: Burleigh Lions are looking for gifts and raffle prizes to make the day extra special such as hand cream, perfume, socks, candles, mugs, plants, or gift cards. Please contact Club President Kyron on 0411 143 163 for further details.
12 Baskets
To receive: 12 Baskets helps feed struggling families and homeless people in the Gold Coast region by delivering frozen meals, fresh produce, bread and food to approximately 650 people each week. Further information can be found by calling 0493 505 119 or emailing info@c1care.org
To donate: Visit https://c1care.org/12-baskets/
Havafeed, Mermaid Beach
To receive: The Havafeed volunteers provide a breakfast meal, food parcels and companionship to those doing it tough in the Gold Coast community. Visit the Mermaid Beach Community Centre to receive their support.
Opening Hours
Mermaid Beach Community Centre - 2439 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Tuesday & Thursday – 6am to 8am
Friday – 9am to 11.30am
Sunday Breakfast – 7.30am to 9am
Sunday Lunch– 10.45am to 11.30am
For more information, visit their website at https://havafeed.org/
To volunteer: If you would to give back to the community with Havafeed, join their team as a volunteer and contribute by cooking meals, making coffee or having a chat. For more information, visit https://havafeed.org/get-involved/
To donate: To help Havafeed reach their donation goal of $4000 to keep making a difference in the Gold Coast community, visit https://havafeed.org/donate/
Set Free Care
To receive: The Set Free Care organisation provides numerous support services to the those most vulnerable in the community at their community centre in Southport. They provide free meals, pantry item packs, a shower program, a laundry service, housing help and an op shop with affordable goods. Find more details about their services below:
Christmas Support
Weekly Service
Office location: 21 Rawlins Street, Southport 4215
Free lunch - Every Tuesday and Thursday 11am - 1pm
Free breakfast - Every Wednesday and Friday 7.30am - 9.30am
Shower Program - Accessibly every meal service 7.30am - 1.30pm
Laundry Service - Tuesday & Wednesday at 9am-12pm, Thursday & Friday 10am - 1pm.
Community Services - Every Friday 11am-1pm
OP Shop Monday-Friday 10am - 3pm
Pantry Packs are $20 packs of pantry items with meal essentials such as rice or pasta, as well as snack food. These packs are available to pick up at The Shop location above, Monday to Friday 10am - 3pm.
For more information, visit their website: https://www.setfreecare.org/
To volunteer: To join the team in providing these valuable services, fill in your details at https://www.setfreecare.org/want-to-volunteer
To donate: Set Free Care is a registered charity where you can give a donation and receive a tax deductible receipt. To donate, fill out the form at https://www.setfreecare.org/donate
Rosies Friends on the Street
To receive: Rosies outreach everyday of the week across various locations on the Gold Coast. They provide support to those in need and at risk, through sharing a cup of tea, providing everyday supplies and friendly conversation. Their outreach locations are:
GC North
St Vincent’s Catholic Church car park
40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise
Monday – 7.30pm to 9pm
Tuesday – 7.30pm to 9pm
Friday – 7.30pm to 9pm
Sunday fortnightly - 12.30pm to 2pm (7/12. 21/12)
Baden Powell Park, Southport
Wednesday – 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Bischof Park (boat park), Nerang
Thursday – 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Baden Powell Park, Southport
Saturday – 6.30pm to 8.30pm
GC South
Carpark opposite Bowls Club, Burleigh Heads
Tuesday – 7pm to 9pm
Thursday – 7pm to 9pm
For more information, visit https://rosies.org.au/
To donate: If you would like to donate supplies for the Christmas hampers, you can find the details of donation items and drop off locations below.
Sam O’Connor MP Office, 102 Imperial Parade, Labrador Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Robina
Email Michelle Hoffman for drop off information at mhoffman@arcadia.qld.edu.au
Salvation Army Christmas Meal
To receive: Share a Christmas meal with Salvos at one of their hosted Christmas lunches for free. For those who are lonely this Christmas or can’t prepare their own meal, you are invited to celebrate Christmas with a tasty meal, music and conversation. Visit the Salvation Army website and input your suburb to find your closest event. Bookings required.
To book, visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/christmas/need-help-this-christmas/share-a-christmas-meal-with-us/
To volunteer: Visit the website (https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/) to volunteer this Christmas as an individual, community group or corporate group.
Walk With Us
To receive: Walk With Us doesn’t want anyone to feel alone this Christmas. They offer support to Gold Coast community members in need every Tuesday with meals and weekly connection. They offer meals with dignity, served in a sit-down meal with tablecloths and cutlery. They also offer Wraparound Services including haircuts, mental health advice, legal advice and basic medical care. Find out more below:
Tuesday Night Dinners
Tuesday Night at 6PM
At Uniting Church 1 Burleigh St Burleigh
Free, three-course meals served with dignity. Supported by Oz Harvest.
Table service, not queues.
Clean clothes, hygiene packs, and conversation.
A safe, family-style atmosphere for all ages.
Emergency Food Hampers
Groceries, toiletries, baby items (by request).
Discreet, flexible delivery or pickup.
No forms, no shame—just practical help.
Pet food on request.
Ladies' personals also on request.
For a hamper, contact: hampers@walkwithusgc.org.au
Wraparound Support Services
Available during Tuesday dinners including:
Mental health chats.
Legal advice.
Haircuts.
Orange Sky showers and laundry.
Basic medical care.
Located at Uniting Church 1 Burleigh St Burleigh Heads.
School Food Support
Snacks for students in need.
Discreetly coordinated through schools.
Helps improve focus, learning, and dignity.
To refer: If you would like to refer someone to these services, contact the team directly or visit them on a Tuesday night.
To volunteer: To volunteer with Walk With Us by joining the dinner team, helping set up things behind-the-scenes or contributing to the food hampers, express your interest via their website https://walkwithusgc.org.au/volunteer/
Enriching Lives
The Enriching Lives Foundation provides support to young students in need to support their access to better opportunities.
To receive: To apply for the Sponsor a Student Program, the student will need their case worker to fill out the Application for Funding form at https://www.enrichinglives.org.au/our-programs/
To participate: The foundation is currently giving away a MEGA Christmas Raffle to support local students in need this Christmas. To get involved, find more details in the image below, and purchase tickets by visiting their website https://www.enrichinglives.org.au/
The Christmas Project
This Christmas, Newlife Care is partnering with our church family and community to bring hope and joy to Gold Coast families in need through our annual Christmas Hamper Project.
In partnership with GC Cruisers, who are celebrating their 20th Annual Toy Run with us this year, we’re aiming to fill 635 Christmas Hampers—each one filled with essential groceries and toys to bless families doing it tough across our city.
Your generosity can make a real difference. Every donation helps provide a family with the gift of joy and dignity this Christmas.
How You Can Help:
💛 Give – Make a donation to help us fill hampers with food and essentials for families in need. Visit the QR code below
🎁 Bring – Donate a new, unwrapped toy for a child in our community.
Drop off points:
Krazy Good Nutrition, 6 Lavelle Street, Nerang
Simplicity Funerals office, Easy T Centre Scottsdale Dr, Robina
University Sq, 8/180 Olsen Ave, Parkwood
For more information: https://www.church.nu/care/christmas