Ministry of Sound Summer Dance Festival

Ministry of Sound returns to HOTA for its biggest-ever Gold Coast show. In 2026, Summer Dance Festival arrives with a new summer date, three stages, and an extended festival footprint that stretches through the surrounding parklands and lake precinct at HOTA.

Headlined by CLASSICAL, performed live by the Ministry of Sound Orchestra, the festival also brings together global dance music icons Roger Sanchez (USA), Seb Fontaine (UK), Braxe + Falcon (FR), Utah Saints (UK), K-Klass (UK), DJ Paulette (UK), alongside homegrown favourites John Course, Minx, Tenzin and a stacked lineup of local talent.

Step onto an open-air dancefloor soundtracked by the biggest dance anthems of all time, redefined, reworked and reimagined on a scale like never before. Summer Dance Festival celebrates the greatest moments in dance music history and the artists who helped shape our dancefloor.

Returning to our much-loved home at HOTA, in a Queensland exclusive, the festival is expanding the site due to overwhelming demand and transforming the entire precinct into a multi-stage, day-to-night experience. Expect three stages of music, top-tier production, a Silent Disco, curated bars, premium food offerings and the biggest dance anthems of all time, all set amongst the lush parklands and waterways of the HOTA Precinct with the iconic Surfers Paradise skyline as your backdrop.

Take your festival experience to the next level with our unbeatable VIP offering. This premium ticket includes two complimentary drinks on arrival, express VIP entry, access to the elevated viewing deck at the rear of the main stage, and VIP Village access at the Golden Stage. Enjoy exclusive bars, dedicated food vendors, private bathrooms, shaded seating and a commemorative tour laminate. Want to stay close to the action? Upgrade to Premium Admission for express entry, faster bar lines and dedicated bathrooms, giving you more time for those unmissable moments on the dancefloor.

This is your ultimate summer dance event.

Gates Open : 4:00pm
Performances from: 4:00pm 
Event Concludes : 10:00pm