Be the change at the Coast's landmark arts and culture festival

Let’s twist again! The 2022 Coastal Twist Festival is a beacon of inclusivity for both locals and guests to the Central Coast this upcoming October long weekend. After two years of downtime thanks to a certain pandemic, the landmark local event returns for all ages and abilities, with Auslan across events in accessible spaces, and an incredible 75% of the festival’s event program free to attend across Umina Beach, Woy Woy, Ettalong Beach and Gosford.

Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture festival launched on the Central Coast in 2019 as a locally made, original fun for everyone way of entertaining and connecting Coasties and their guests, families and party goers, teens, and seniors. The Festival is already enshrined as one of the most unique, much loved "original quirky Australiana'' experiences and will be featured in an upcoming 2023 edition UK travel Atlas featuring 500 of the ‘World's Best Festival Destinations to Visit’.

This year’s Festival theme is ‘Be the Change’ - a call to action for all people regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ability or skin colour to come together and celebrate for a happier, healthier, and more welcoming Central Coast. As the festival continues to grow, so does the programming and activations. Everyone is invited to explore the Coastal Twist list of what’s on, from families to kids, couples to colleagues, even to people’s dogs at the Puparazzi Pooch Parade, there will be roaming performances, presentations, beach activities, live entertainment sets and safe spaces to attend across the long weekend.

For the full schedule of events during the week as well as RSVP for free events and ticket purchases, giveaways, prizes, raffles, and opportunities – simply visit our dedicated Coastal Twist page to sign up, frock up and rock up to the Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture festival! Coastal Twist Festival is going ahead rain, hail or shine! Watch their socials (Instagram, Facebook) and website for weather updates and if it's wet weather the new park and beach locations.

🌈 Love Club Cabaret - 30 Sept

Featuring some of Australia’s most significant LGBTIQ Artists across stage, screen and club scenes all in for an immersive evening at Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, Ettalong Beach, with Auslan and a fully accessible venue. Swap out your linear lounge room and digital doldrums for an explosive bedazzling burst of live human connection – this is the commotion you have been waiting for as Coastal Twist Festival presents a Performance Party welcoming mates, dates, singles, families and allies from across Australia.

Find out more and book your table

🌈 Life's a Beach - 1 Oct

Pack your hamper, brolly, towels, whatever it takes to make you comfy and happy, then grab your mates for some real fun in the Coastie sun. This is a 100% free event, with a 10am kick off on the golden sands of Umina Beach - just look for the bright Coastal Twist marquee at the south end of Umina Beach (Kiddies corner). All day entertainment & activities for all ages.

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🌈 Coastie Carnie Fair Day - 3 Oct

This is the biggest and most colourful event of the Festival with FREE all day entertainment, markets, curated food and bar, plus much more. 2022 also sees internationally famed Australian electro pop headliners Electric Fields at the ‘Coastie Fair Day’. Making their way to the Central Coast for the first time, the duo famously combine modern electric-soul music with ancient Indigenous culture.

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After a hugely successful debut, we’re excited to share that the Coastal Twist Shopfront Window Display Competition is running again this year! Explore a rainbow range of local shops each jumping on board across Central Coast town centres of Umina, Woy Woy, Ettalong, Gosford, Terrigal and Long Jetty! Last year’s winners were proudly Link & Pin from Woy Woy, and this year we expect to see even more local businesses show off their wares in this colourful competition as a part of a happier, healthier and more welcoming Central Coast.

🌈 Keep an eye on LoveCentralCoast Instagram and the Festival’s socials for highlights of this competition!

🌈Share photos of your fave window masterpieces tagging @LoveCentralCoastNSW and @CoastalTwistFestival

🌈 Include hashtag #RainbowWindows #CoastalTwist and of course #LoveCentralCoast

The Coastal Twist Festival is driven by the Central Coast’s passionate arts and culture organisation, Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, who are not only ranked in Tripadvisors Top 10% of things to do, but also recently received Tripadvisors Travellers’ Choice Award for 2022! This is an amazing achievement awarded due to their consistently top star reviews from travellers to the Central Coast.

According to Co-founder and Creative Director, Glitta Supernova, the annual arts and culture festival gives you an easy and inspired way to connect with a more inclusive world view:

“After two years of COVID cancellations, Coastal Twist Festival is now just around the corner. As Co-founder and Creative Director, the Festival theme is one of my personal life mottos ‘Be the Change’ - that we have the power to create reality. To make change by creating the reality we wish to live in. By action, by creation, by hard work and being on the front line for change.

“It's not easy when the world doesn't have a place for you, but from my personal experience I know how impactful it is when you stick to your guns, make action and create the reality you wish to see and live in. That culture does eventually shift and your once radical ideas assimilate into the global dialogue and finally become mainstream. Creativity is Power! Express your true self and the world will follow…or at least catch up!”

In 2022, Coastal Twist is proudly supported by a grant through the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund, which aims to support the social and economic recovery and prosperity of Regional NSW. With the Festival extended across 7 days and nights with 14 events to include a beach picnic party day, theatre, dance, live music, cabaret, family activities, and an LGBTIQ Youth teen area. There’s even a special ‘Innovation’ workshop with IBM, who actively partner with local high schools via their Global P-TECH program.