In Noosa this March!
Each March IN Noosa, there’s a shift you can feel before you even see it. The salt spray lingers a little longer in the air. Strangers gather like old friends along the shoreline. And at First Point, the long, peeling waves seem to carry something extra – history, heart and anticipation – as the Noosa Festival of Surfing sweeps back into town, this year for its 35th time.
From humble beginnings in 1992 as the Noosa Malibu Club’s much-loved Noosa Malibu Classic, the event evolved in 1996 and again in 1998 into a full-scale festival in partnership with original organisers Phil Jarratt Communications Pty Ltd. What began as a grassroots longboarding gathering has grown into one of the world’s most iconic surfing celebrations.
Dedicated to inclusivity, community spirit and the rich surf culture upon which Noosa was founded, the Festival has continually evolved – introducing new and engaging events while staying true to its heritage. Today, it is a beloved annual tradition that brings together locals and visitors from near and far, united by a shared love of the ocean.
Inspired in part by the renowned Biarritz Surf Festival and shaped by the global culture of surfing, the Noosa Festival of Surfing quickly established itself as a highlight on the international surf calendar. Each year, it welcomes a strong cohort of international guests, drawing surfers and families from Hawaii, California, New Zealand, Japan, Europe and beyond.
At its heart, the Festival is about more than competition – it’s about connection. The organising team is deeply passionate about creating an environment where every competitor, sponsor and spectator walks away with a positive experience. Whether it’s someone surfing their first heat, reconnecting with old friends on the beach, or simply soaking in the atmosphere from the sand, the goal remains the same: to ensure that every person leaves Noosa feeling part of something special.
Over three decades on, that commitment to community and experience continues to define the Festival – honouring its history while embracing the future of surfing culture.
Now, 35 years on, it’s not just a competition. It’s a reunion. A celebration. A beachside carnival of culture, creativity and community.
At its core, the Festival remains a tribute to timeless style and classic longboarding. The WSL Noosa Longboard Pro presented by Brandid Media will once again see current and past world champions, rising stars and surfing icons glide across the famous peeling walls of First Point in a bid to improve their world title ranking on the WSL tour. Not all events are targeted the WSL tour, with other surf competitions like dog surfing, tandem surfing and other family challenges.
Since 2010, competitor numbers have surged year after year, with thousands of spectators lining the headland and sand to watch legends of the sport share waves with the next generation. Veterans return to reconnect. Juniors arrive wide-eyed and ready. It’s a rare event where surfing’s past, present and future all meet in one perfect point break.
This year, IN Noosa Magazine is once again hosting a SEASIDE FASHION PARADE, bringing you the sizzling hot trends straight from our beloved boutiques, all on a stunning seaside catwalk right in the heart of Noosa Main Beach. Think ocean breezes, effortless coastal glamour and front-row views from the sand. It’s fashion meets festival in true Noosa style – vibrant, relaxed and undeniably chic.
And yes, the world-famous surfing dogs will be back too. Because where else but Noosa? The first Saturday of the Festival belongs to the four-legged frothers. Equal parts impressive and adorable, the Dog Surfing event has become one of the most anticipated spectacles of the week. Expect cheers, costumes and serious tail-wagging as pups of all shapes and sizes hang ten for charity.
If the waves are the soul of the Festival, the Beach Bar is its beating heart. For just 10 magical days, Noosa Main Beach transforms into a pop-up beachfront playground … and entry is as easy as stepping off the sand. The Beach Bar operates from midday to 8pm daily and is completely FREE to enter (with a few ticketed events you won’t want to miss, stay tuned!). Around the world, events like this charge a premium just to walk through the gates. IN Noosa, you wander straight in from the ocean. One drink becomes two. Shoes come off. The sun dips behind the headland. And suddenly you’re dancing in the sand with surfers, artists and travellers from around the globe.
Beyond the water and the music, the Festival celebrates the creative heartbeat of surf culture.
The Surf Photo Exhibition at Noosa Longboards will run daily, featuring six exceptional local photographers: Hannah Prewitt, Melissa Hoareau, Glen Bucklar, Luke Coulter, Sam Fairbank and Tracy Naughton. Through their lenses, you’ll see First Point in all its moods – glassy dawn patrols, golden-hour peelers and salty smiles all round.
On Friday 20 March at the Noosa Marina Bar, from 7.30pm-11pm, the Festival focuses on protecting the oceans that give us so much. The Surfrider Foundation Fundraiser, headlined by Raw Ordio, promises an electric night of music and purpose, raising funds to safeguard coastlines and keep our waves pristine for the next 35 years and beyond. Secure your tickets NOW.
There are surf contests. There are music festivals. And then there is Noosa. What’s not to like?
For 35 years, this Festival has been a meeting place – a celebration of style over aggression, community over ego, joy over everything. It’s where grandparents share waves with grommets. Where world champions cheer for locals. Where dogs surf and strangers become friends by sunset.
So mark your calendars! From 13-22 March 2026, First Point will once again come alive with colour, culture and classic lines.
Whether you’re a lifelong surfer, a beach bar regular, a music lover, a photographer or simply someone who feels a little more alive by the ocean – this is your invitation.
Thirty-five years young. And just getting started. See you there!
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