SURFACE Festival returns to the streets

From 2-16 July Miami comes alive as artists and creatives alike flock to the sunny Gold Coast to take part in SURFACE 2023. Now in its third year, the festival is considered a “must-do experience” in the winter school holiday calendar on the coast. With a majority free, all-ages program (plus some epic ticketed events), audiences are invited to wander through the streets and discover art, as artists showcase their work across a variety of surfaces.

Art in many forms will explode onto the footpaths, fence lines, laneways and walls and audiences are invited to walk, ride, roll and stroll through the streets and witness the magic unfold.

The SURFACE 2023 festival program features: 10 brand new large-scale outdoor murals (at Miami Marketta, Hard Fizz, Heartfill, Miami Fish Market, KFC Miami and more), an outdoor Fence Line Exhibition spanning residential front fences across Miami, a SURFACE Seltzer collaboration with Hard Fizz, Sofar Sound Secret Gig, 3 x laneway live music concerts (Ruby Fields & Beddy Rays, James Reyne & Ella Hooper, Pub Choir), 2 x 100/100 Exhibition, (think: affordable art fairs) and so much more! There is truly something for everyone.

“SURFACE was a natural progression for me as the creative behind Miami Marketta. Marketta started as a beige, retired mechanics warehouse – what a surface it was! I always envisioned that the art and artists would eventually extend out across our home suburb of Miami, spreading that love outside of the Marketa walls. My hope for Miami is that it will become the grassroots cultural stomping ground for Gold Coast locals and visitors alike!” – Emma Milikins (Founder & Creative Director of Miami Marketta & SURFACE)

SURFACE is produced by the creative team at Miami Marketta in association with Miami’s thriving businesses and community of locals.

Program highlights

30 June | Surface Seltzer Launch Party

Pre-festival party at Hard Fizz. Be the first to taste the limited-edition SURFACE x Hard Fizz Seltzer. Winning artist can label unveiled.

Free event | 4 – 8pm @ Hard Fizz HQ

2 – 16 July | Fence Line Exhibition

The community’s favourite, outdoor Fence Line Exhibition is an all ages, always-on exhibition, spanning the full two weeks of SURFACE. Walk, ride, roll and stroll through the streets and discover beautiful art across Miami’s front fences. The perfect winter holiday art stroll!

2 July | Murals

Large-scale murals will pop up in 10+ locations across Miami. From nationally profiled street artists, to local and emerging artists. Stay up to date with SURFACE socials to find out when and where your favourite street artist is painting-up!

2 July | Open Day

Start your art journey at Miami Marketta, with major murals getting started in the laneway, enjoy kids workshops, music, and head on out across Miami

Free event | 10am – 2pm @ Miami Marketta and around Miami

5 July | EXPLORE: The Natural World

Journey around the world through the lens of Wayne Sorensen, with spectacular photography showcasing wildlife and landscapes from Antarctica to Siberia and back home in Australia.

Free event | 5 – 8pm @ Wayne Sorensen Studios

6 July | Sofar Sounds Secret Gig

Secret intimate gig in a surprise Miami location

Ticketed event | 6 – 9pm @ Secret location

7-8 July | 100/100 Exhibition

An edgy, affordable gallery exhibition. Weekend 1 – Digital Art & Photography

Free event | 5pm – Late @ Miami Marketta, Studio 56

9 July | James Reyne and Ella Hooper

Australian rock legend James Reyne returns to Miami Marketta to perform the hits of Australian Crawl with support from Ella Hooper (Killing Heidi’s leading lady).

Ticketed event | 3pm – Late @ Miami Marketta Laneway

13 July | Pub Choir

The famous roving Pub Choir is headed to the Goldy for the hilarious, low pressure show that proves to anybody, no matter how much of a dud musician they are, can sing.

Ticketed event | 5pm – Late @ Miami Marketta Laneway

14-15 July | 100/100 Exhibition

An edgy, affordable gallery exhibition. Weekend 2 – Handmade Art

Free event | 5pm – Late @ Miami Marketta, Studio 56

16 July | Closing Party

SURFACE goes out with a bang in 2023 with an epic laneway closing party at Miami Marketta. featuring a stacked lineup of live music from triple j favourites; Ruby Fields, Beddy Rays, The Grogans, Adam Newling, plus one lucky local band. Expect an epic Sunday session filled with indie-rock music, art, and good vibes, as they come together to celebrate the culmination of an incredible two week long festival.

Ticketed event | 2 – 8pm @ Miami Marketta Laneway