Rock Around the Clock for Cooly Rocks On

The Southern Gold Coast’s biggest annual nostalgia event is back in 2018! Cooly Rocks On will take over the town for five days from 6 – 10 June, and all the action is happening right here at The Strand at Coolangatta.

Listen Live at The Strand Stage
For music lovers, the hottest lineup of rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and swing superstars will perform live and free at The Strand Stage, located in Dutton St opposite The Strand on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June. There’ll even be a huge outdoor dance floor in front of the stage to get everyone up off their feet and jiving to the tunes.

Roll up for a Pop Up Photo
Take a step back in time at the Cooly Rocks On pop up photo stand and grab a selfie in the heart of the action – located outside Lorna Jane on Saturday 9 June from 11am to 2pm;

• Marilyn Monroe 11.00am – 11.45am 
• Lonnie Lee 11.45am – 12.30pm 
• Lance Lipinsky 12.30pm – 1.15pm 
• Charlie Chaplin 1.15pm – 2.00pm 

Flip into a Frenzy at Timezone’s Pinball Comp
Timezone Coolangatta will again be hosting the Cooly Rocks On Pinball Competition on the final day of the Festival, Sunday 10 June, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Pinball enthusiasts can test their skills and join in the flipping frenzy through the heats and finals, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs. Register for free at Timezone on Level 1.  

Swing Dance at The Strand
Strap on your dancing shoes and learn to swing like the best of them at a Rocks on Dance Workshop with Gotta Swing at Timezone Coolangatta on Level 1. These drop-in dance lessons are $10 for an hour, held between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Wednesday 6, Thursday 7 and Friday 8 June. 

Muscle Cars and Street Parades
The highlight of Cooly Rocks On, hundreds of Australia’s best hot rods, customs and muscle cars from the 50s, 60s and now 70s will line the streets of Coolangatta, popping their hoods and showing some chrome for the Cooly Rocks On Show ‘n’ Shine on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June.

Don’t miss the annual Street Parade on Saturday 9 June from 9.30am – 10.30am. The festivities will roll past The Strand on Marine Parade with a parade of floats, vintage cars, surf wagons, bikes, vans and more, bringing rock, revs and old-fashioned glamour to the streets.

Stick around as Coolangatta comes alive after dark from 6pm on Saturday night for the Shannon’s Super Cruise, featuring the most impressive cars from their era cruising along Marine Parade. Book a spot at any of The Strand’s oceanfront restaurants to get the best seats in the house. 

Find your Retro Flavour
Getting into the spirit is half the fun during Cooly Rocks On, and The Strand has plenty of places to find your nostalgia fix. Strap on a new pair of dancing shoes and look the part with an outfit from My JuJu Dance Fever or get dolled up with retro fashion at Esteem's Boutique and the Australian Red Cross Shop.

For a 50s flavour hit, grab a booth and a malted milkshake at Pancake Diner on Level 1, or stop in for a toasty treat at the new retro-inspired Jaffles HQ, with old school sweet and savoury jaffles on the menu. You can still enjoy all your favourite foodie hangs at The Strand, trading as normal across the Festival.

For more festival action around the Southern GC and Tweed, see the main Cooly Rocks On website here!