Cooly Rocks On

Excitement is building as Australia’s largest nostalgia festival, Cooly Rocks On, gets ready to celebrate everything yesteryear with a full program of classic cars and iconic music, giving visitors the opportunity to see the best of rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and swing, from June 3-7 at Coolangatta.

MOTORS The Cooly Rocks On Show ‘N’ Shine proudly presented by Autoglym is on the bucket list for car enthusiasts as one of the country’s biggest showcases of classic cars. The renowned event features more than 1,000 classic, hot rods and muscle cars manufactured on or before 1979 on display across six zones. The dedicated 80s zone will feature a spectacular curated lineup of cars from 1980-1985 celebrating the bold design, colour and unmistakable flair of the decade. For those eager to start their engines early, the Early Bird Show ‘N’ Shine will be held on Thursday, June 4, and Friday, June 5. The popular Show ‘N’ Shine Weekend Pass + Night Cruise also returns as a bundled option.  

MUSIC Those looking to get their dancing shoes on will have the chance to secure tickets to the ever-popular Moonlight Swing Dance. Adding to the entertainment is a spectacular lineup of ticketed tribute shows with a strong rock-leaning sound, while still remaining true to the event’s retro and rockabilly roots with Tusk - The Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show, The Bee Gees Revival Tribute Show and The Queen Rhapsody Tribute Show. 

The entertainment on Friday includes Elvis: Live at Madison Square Garden featuring current Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition winner Jimmy Holmes alongside 2019 champion Taylor Rodriguez from the USA. The highly-anticipated Cooly Rocks On Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist (UETA) Contest is back with the annual contest attracting some of the best Elvis Tribute Artists throughout the country and overseas and is one of only three preliminary contests in Australia sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. The 2026 winner will go on to represent Cooly Rocks On in Memphis later this year to compete for the ultimate top prize of being named the best in the world at Elvis Week. 

Visitors can immerse themselves in a stellar program of free live music across the outdoor and indoor stages throughout the precinct, wander through the nostalgia markets and meet this year’s Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant Finalists. 

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