Love Local List: Happy Holidays

Our local shops keep our town centres vibrant, our community connected and create local jobs – all while providing their amazing services! Your valuable pressie purchases with local businesses this December will help them. 

There are countless ways to support local small businesses this holiday season – one of the best is to choose to buy your fresh produce platters and poultry locally, by shopping for a festive frock or suit at local boutiques or celebrating New Year's Eve at your favourite restaurant.

We hope you enjoy our latest Love Local Guide to the festive season on the Central Coast…

Christmas on the Coast - December

The region's town centres will come alive with the magic of Christmas during December. From carols and festive window displays to photos with Santa and Christmas themed town centres, Christmas on the Coast will spread some festive cheer around our region. 

NYE on the Coast

As the count down to 2025 begins, it's time to celebrate New Year's Eve on the Central Coast. Spend an unforgettable night with family and friends and bring in 2025 in style. From free fireworks displays and live music concerts to glamourous cocktail parties and fine dining experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy!  

Avoca Beachside Markets Twilight Edition – Saturday 7 December

Come and celebrate the Christmas season with FIXX events family friendly night market on the stunning waterfront at Avoca Lagoon. Be delighted by the local bands, sample delicious food and shop the 90+ bespoke stalls selling glorious handmade seasonal gifts. More info.

Bells Christmas market - Sunday 8 December

Support the local community this year and get all your holiday shopping done in one place, at Bells at Killcare. Join local artists, and makers and creators at the annual Christmas Market in the conservatory. More info.

Christmas Under the Stars - Sunday 22 December

Christmas Under the Stars is back for 2024. Share the joy of Christmas and enjoy a fun filled evening of carols, entertainment and fireworks.  More Info here. 

Deluxe Christmas wreath making workshop - Thursday 19 December

Make a beautiful everlasting Christmas wreath for your front door at Angel Sussurri in the picturesque Yarramalong Valley using fresh flowers under the guidance of Deborah Buckley. Afterwards, enjoy a beautifully curated lunch in the restaurant. Book your tickets here.

NYE Fireworks - Tuesday 31 December

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Entrance and Gosford. Live Music at The Entrance includes Baker Boys Band, The House Band and Sons of Murray and at Gosford, Joe and Co, Joy Band and Blue Vinyl. Enjoy live entertainment, activities, food stalls and see the sky illuminated with fireworks from 9am at The Entrance and after the game concludes at Gosford.  More Info

Meantime on The Entrance, The Entrance

Gather your family and friends for a joyful buffet feast filled with all the festive favourites. From scrumptious starters to delicious desserts, let Meantime on The Entrance make your Christmas Day lunch one to remember. Book here.

Gosford Hotel

Order a festive cocktail that actually looks too fancy to drink! Campfire Classic is a vanilla and chocolate creation topped with toasted marshmallows or a Whisked Away, basically it's a pavlova in a glass! Both are an Instagrammer's delight!

Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford

Enjoy mouthwatering Christmas Day luncheon at Wildwood Dining with hot and cold buffets featuring all those holidays trimmings and while you dine, be entertained with live entertainment to make your day extra special. Book your table here.

Gosford RSL, Gosford

Celebrate Christmas in style in The Garden Terrace with a Christmas Day buffet lunch while the Soul Train Trio provide live entertainment to a create a memorable Christmas day. Book here.

Lago Cucina, Budegwoi

Sit back and relax whilst you dine on a 3 course festive feast set in a beautiful Italian trattoria by the lake. Choose from a delicious array of dishes per course and there is even a special Chrissy Day menu for the kids! Book your table here.

Mercure Kooindah Waters, Wyong

An all-inclusive gourmet traditional and contemporary Christmas Day buffet feast to share with family and friends. For those staying at the resort order a Christmas hamper filled with festive goodies to take home with you. Bookings essential. Book your table here.

Pullman Magenta Shores, Magenta

Take all the stress out of Christmas Day and enjoy a special seafood buffet feast with your family and loved ones as you overlook the lake and golf course. Book your table here.

Beachcomber, Toukley

A memorial Christmas Day by the water enjoying a chef-curated selection of fresh seafood, a traditional Christmas carvery and an array of sides and desserts, sounds like a great way to spend Christmas Day! Gather your friends and loved ones and choose from 3 settings this Christmas Day. Book your table here.

Crowne Plaza, Terrigal

With a backdrop of iconic Terrigal Beach, settle into a Christmas Day lunch with all the trimmings and a 3 hour beverage package in the Grand Ballroom. Kids will enjoy a visit from Santa and the live entertainment will get you in the festive spirit. 

KEFI, Koolewong

A backdrop of tropical waterfront views, fresh seafood, and a cocktail in hand, KEFI at Koolewong has got the perfect festive vibes waiting for you. Book the restaurant or the private function room for those cozy gatherings with friends or work colleagues. 

Amalfi, Pearl Beach

Set on the beachfront at Pearl Beach, make a rememberable Christmas at Amalfi enjoying a 6 course Italian feast, beautifully curated to enjoy with friends and family.

Bells at Killcare

Bells at Killcare welcome you to their exquisite celebratory end of year dinner where guests will dine on a fine 3 ocurse set menu including welcoming canapes and a glass of French Champagne on arrival. 

Budgewoi Hotel

Say cya to 2024 by celebrating with acoustic sessions from Brendan Watson in the beer garden before kicking into party gear with crowd favourites Roll Again and house DJ to see you into 2025. Find out more. 

Drifters Wharf

Party into 2025 and see the New Year in with The Presets at Drifters Wharf in Gosford. Dance the night away to their chart topping songs on the waterfront. Book your tickets here. 

Lago Cucina

Celebrate the New Year with views of the lake and indulge in delicious Italian inspired dishes from the A la Carte menu enjoying cocktails specials throughout the night. Book your table here.

Terrigal Hotel

Countdown to midnight and dance the night away with beats of ZONE sound system in Terrigal Hotel's newly renovated beer garden. Enjoy the vibrant flavours of their new summer food and drinks menu. Find out more.

Pullman Magenta Shores

Gather your friends for one last dining experience of 2024 at Barrets Restuarant for a Spanish 4 course Tapas dinner. Treat yourself to glass of fizz on arrival and a share jug of Sangaria with your meal. Afterwards, dance the night away with live music!

Avoca Beach House

Celebrate New Year's Eve by the beach at Avoca Beach House and enjoy all the festivities that come with celebrating the eve of a new year. Dine on a five course menu of fresh produce from the land and sea, and sip on welcome drink on arrival. Book your table here.

Meribella

An unforgettable night where glamour meets indulgence can be had at Meribella in Terrigal. Dine on an exquisite six course tasting menu prepared by award winning Head Chef Joshua Mason, enjoy live entertainment and a vibrant party afterwards to take you through to 2025. Reserve your table here.

Cecila's

Ring in the New Year at Cecilia's Street Party Extravaganza! Start the night with an array of Vietnamese style canapes, bursting with authentic flavour. Dance to the live band as you mingle before sitting down to a five course degustation menu meticulously crafted by Cecila's head chef. A champagne celebration will start just before midnight to mark the new chapter! Book your tickets here. 

Aussie Ark

Aussie Ark, every $20 donation or more supports precious wildlife which helps safe guard habitat and populations of Tasmanian Devils, Eastern Quolls and koala, building a balanced ecosystem for future generations to thrive in.

Walkabout Park

This Christmas a $25 donation to Walkabout Wildlife Park, will provide supplementary feed for the free range kangaroo's for the day and $270 will cover the coast of off site leaf cutting for koalas for the week. Give a gift to help our wildlife. 

Take 3 for the Sea

Give the gift of cleaner oceans. Take 3 for the Sea donation gift cards pledge to support cleaner and thriving oceans. Each card purchased steps towards healthy oceans and the marine life that inhabits it. 

Smile for the camera and capture every essence of Christmas with a keepsake family portrait.  From photos with Santa on the beach to Santa in the bush, a festive studio shoots or an outdoor whimsical session, the magic of Christmas can be captured by these local photographers. Here are just a few to choose from. PS – most are pet friendly too!

Coast Santa Studio, Forresters Beach

Central Coast Santa, North Avoca

JasArt Photography, Davistown

Santa Haus, Tuggerah

Bowie Brown Photography, Central Coast

Santa on the Beach Central Coast, North Shelly Beach

Jessie Walker Photography, Toukley

Santa Paws Christmas Minis, Forresters Beach

Midcoast Photography, The Entrance

Kylie Kennedy Photography, Kulnura

Free Santa Photos

Toukley Container, Toukley

Whether you’re searching for stocking fillers, one-of-a-kind items, or want to gift an experience to remember – the Central Coast is filled with exciting options! We're extremely lucky to be part of a diverse community of Makers & Creators who call the Coast home, and many of them are on hand this month to craft and curate specialty presents and experiences you can buy for loved ones.

Handmade christmas

Local jeweller Aligned Gemini can add a touch of luxury and sparkle to your ears with adorable Christmas tree earrings. A beautiful little keepsake gift to treasure for mums, aunts and special friends. 

Gin Gift

Give the gift of sweetness and gin this holiday season. Distillery Botanica's 'We Three Kings' dry gin is distilled with edible gold flakes, aromatic Frankincense, Myrrh and blended with the owner's Christmas pudding recipe. The perfect locally sourced gift this Christmas.  

Central Coast beach luxury gifts

Introducing Alohra, an outdoor beach luxury brand proudly made here on the Central Coast, offering some amazing summer Christmas gifts including umbrellas, sand-free beach towels, chairs and the latest addition - stylish cabanas! Shop their range here.

Sustainable, zero waste Vegan soaps 

The Little Oasis Bath co handmake small batch nourishing vegan soaps and body bars that your body will love and your skin will crave. Guilt free pleasure with no harmful nasties. All lovingly handmade here on the coast. 

Custom-made leather gifts

Beautiful custom sized belts, wallets and more are made to order with Crown & Anchor on the Central Coast, each skilfully created by a local leather craftsman so you can be assured the quality is top-notch.

Christmas ceramics crafted with love

Carramar Pottery has revealed their bespoke handmade pottery range, from Christmas mugs and tree decorations to a Santa cup and plate set for your little one. Ahh handcrafted on the Central Coast and ready to be gifted.

Herbie's Spices

Made for the cooks and food lovers, Herbie's Spices is your one stop shop for hard-to-find herbs and spices.  They have created a Christmas Feast Kit which consists of 8 packs of Herbie's spices and 12 recipes to choose from. Wouldn't this be perfect for your Christmas menu this year. 

Craft Brewery

Based at Kincumber, Block'n'Tackle is a small batch brewery and taproom offers unique crafted beer and cider. Their paddle membership is a perfect gift for craft beer lovers and a great way to taste new releases, receive your own paddle and save on return visits to their relaxing lounge.

Lisarow's Award-winning gingerbread

Adri's Gingerbread is local to the Central Coast and Adri's festive collection of European style gingerbread treats are the real deal. Choose from pre iced gingerbread delights or have a go at making your own with their DIY kits. 

Fine dining gift vouchers

Last-minute panic? After months of not dining out once, a festive gift voucher from any of the following fine dining restaurants would make a truly unique experience this year:

• Yellowtail Dining Experience at Terrigal, one of the Coast’s fine dining venues and hatted restaurants.
• L'isle de France at Terrigal, unforgettable classic French cuisine with views of Terrigal Beach
• The Cowrie at Terrigal, an unforgettable dining experience.
• KEFI at Koolwong, waterfront views with Greek inspired menu
• The Box on the Water offers superb waterfront views at Ettalong and a modern Australian dining menu.
• Amalfi Restaurant and Bar, authentic Italian cuisine on the beachfront at Pearl Beach
• Bells Killcare gift vouchers let the recipient decide how they'd like to experience Bells. Whether it be in the spa, hotel, restaurant or bakery.
• Meribella at Terrigal, a new glamorous coastal dining experience in the heart of Terrigal.

Bamvino hampers

Beautifully created Festive hampers to get your taste buds zinging. With Naughty & Nice or Sugar & Spice Hampers there is something for everyone. Using carefully sourced boutique produce Bamvino Hamper's include locally made Crooked Creek biscuits from Ourimbah Valley.

Central Coast hampers

The experts in hamper creation, Central Coast Hamper Gifts, will sort you out with a Maggie Beer non-alcoholic sparkling & Grandmas Christmas Pudding set, or a Hawkesbury Brewing Co beer pack complete with nuts and gingerbread. That's just a taste of their huge range, worth exploring to find something to suit your partner, colleague, baby or best friend. 

Claya's festive luxury boxes

Head over to Claya's pre-packed gift boxes for some pamper-themed ideas designed around the personality and lifestyle of who you're gifting, including the Festive, Night Before Christmas and White Christmas concepts.

Corporate & event gifting

Do you have staff who deserve an extra thank you after the year that's been? New to the gifting game is Love Local Creations (which obviously deserves a place in this Love Local Guide), who specialise in deluxe corporate and event gifts that can be customised to suit the occasion. Ideas include cheeseboards, gin distillery packs starring Moore's Dry Gin, and Men Who Scrub skincare with Hawkesbury Brewing Co. beers. 

Salt Pig Deli

Beautifully curated Christmas grazing boxes with fine charcuterie, speciality cheeses, jams, fruits and nuts for every food lover. Salt Pig Deli hamper's are lovingly put together by a local husband and wife duo.

The Chocolate Factory

The perfect gift hamper for all the chocolate lovers, a Naughty but Nice or Waiting for Santa Christmas hamper is a must have this festive season. Packed to the brim with scrumptious locally made chocolatey delights, these Chocolate Factory hampers will certainly get your taste buds excited.