Gold Coast City’s number one arts and culture festival, Bleach, kicks off today, promising three weeks of epic events and entertainment.

Gold Coast City will welcome Bleach Festival with a huge opening party from 4pm today at Queen Elizabeth Park in Coolangatta, offering a tantalising taste of what’s to come across the massive month of March.

Meet some of the Bleach characters, including human-size ants and the fish-out-of-water giant mullet, while feasting on the entertainment, ukuleles and dancing and get a taste for the entire 2015 Bleach menu.

The official opening will feature a Welcome to Country ceremony and Indigenous performance and storytelling about the local waters, celebrating the southern pocket of Gold Coast City.

Following the opening night, the Kirra beach foreshore will host the very first performance of Sequins and Sinew, an aerial arts and acrobatic dance show delivering cutting edge innovation in circus performance.

Saturday will see Tugun come alive as Bleach bursts onto Toolona Street, with 2015’s expansion on the popular Eat Street of previous festivals.

The Toolona Street festival will feature a range of foodie fare, including a guest appearance from Robina’s MKR surfing Dad’s Paul and Blair, as well as a range of restaurants, food stalls and drink stops.

A huge outdoor dining room under Tugun’s 89-year-old fig tree will set the backdrop for an event packed with entertainment, including giant puppets and ants, music from a range of acclaimed artists, a suitcase rummage market and hours of kids’ activities including face painting, giant slide, workshops and performances.

For all this weekend’s Bleach events and advice, visit their website http://www.bleachfestival.com.au/events/