Take your pick of these spring fairs and festivals
Explore the Central Coast's spring fairs and festivals this season
Dot your calendars, there is plenty to keep all the family busy this spring.
As the Coast uncurls from the Winter and springs into life, we welcome an abundance of spring fairs and festivals. From September to November your calendars will fill up quickly with these vibrant events that celebrate waterways, cuisines, plants, music and diversity.
Use our useful guide below to plan the next three months to make sure you don't miss these epic events. By attending these fun festivals and fairs, you'll be supporting many local businesses too!
Happy planning!
September
Sustainable Future Festival
Saturday 14 September
Memorial Park, The Entrance
Keeping the Coast as beautiful as ever is so important to the region and the Sustainable Future Festival will demonstrate how we can do that. There will be a series of engaging workshops, speakers, performances and market stalls with a particular focus around wholesome foods, reducing waste and recycling more. This annual inspiring event shows the community many sustainable practises that can be put in place for the future. Enjoy this free family festival and come away with a little more knowledge about how easy it is to be sustainable.
Taste the Coast Food Festival
Sunday 15 September
4 Racecourse Road, West Gosford
Celebrate the Central Coast’s extraordinary culinary scene this spring. Taste the Coast is a food festival like no other giving on the rare opportunity to indulge in a gastronomic adventure. Sample signature dishes from renowned restaurants, such as The Cowrie, Little Miss Mezza and Kefi and watch live cooking demonstrations from local chefs from At Bakers St, The Entertainment Grounds and Sirone’s Pizza. Sip on wine from De Bortoli Wines and beer form Lion Nathan, or a crafted cocktail from 60mls Cocktails. As you wine and dine, enjoy live music while the kids enjoy pony rides and roving entertainment all afternoon.
Rock the Farm, Kulnura
Saturday 21 September
993 George Downes Drive, Kulnura
Rock the Farm, the concert in the orange orchards is back for it’s second year and this year comes with an epic line up of artists. Get ready to sing ‘Horse’ at the top your voice with the legendary Daryl Braithwaite. Aussie rockers Boom Crash Opera and the Rebecca Johnston Band will also rock the orchards in Kulnura at Eastcoast Juice Farm. Food and drinks will be available to purchase at the farm and concert goers are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and chairs along to this good- times event.
Plant Lovers Fair, Kariong
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September
10 Festival Drive, Kariong
It’s wouldn’t be spring without the annual Plant Lovers Fair at Kariong. Back again this year, the fair will feature over 30 stalls of rare and unique plants, trees, shrubs and ground cover, plus food garden produce. Listen to talks from experienced gardeners, see a variety of new species, bring the family and enjoy a picnic on the grass or food from the food trucks.
Street Paws Festival, Doyalson
Saturday 28 September
423 Scenic Drive, Doyalson
This years Street Paws Festival heads to Doyalson and will be in collaboration with Doyalson Animal Hospital. There will be a vet clinic open day to meet the team and show off your pooch! Enjoy family fun, pet stalls and enter your fur baby into the fashion parade. This great day out support SoCares Central Coast Animal Shelters.
October
Coastal Twist Festival
Tuesday 1-Sunday 6 October
Woy Woy, Ettalong Beach, Gosford and Umina Beach
The sparkliest festival on the Coast is back with 6 days of sparkle and love at this year's Coastal Twist Festival. The colourful festival will celebrate fun, diversity, play and the community across Woy Woy, Ettalong Beach, Gosford and Umina Beach. Enjoy cabaret, film screenings, dance parties, art exhibitions, and workshops with the headliner day, Coastie Carnie Fair Day on Sunday 6 October bringing the Coast alive with music, theatre, culture, food and markets.
Woytopia Sustainable Living Festival
Sunday 13 October
1 The School Mall, Woy Woy
The Woytopia festival celebrates sustainable living on the Woy Woy Peninsula and Central Coast with green talks, gardening workshops, bushtucker and wildlife shows, and an eco-market featuring everything from artisan produce to planet friendly clothing and jewellery. But you don’t have to be a greenie to enjoy Woytopia — it’s a fantastic family day out with great music, delicious food, free yoga, heaps of kids’ entertainment and more.
Pearl Beach Food and Wine Fair
Saturday 26 October
9 Diamond Road, Pearl Beach
Nestled in secluded beachfront suburb of Pearl Beach, local producers will showcase their boutique wines, gourmet treats and produce at the Pearl Beach Food and Wine Fair. Sample food and wine, speak to the producers and celebrate the local small businesses of Central Coast and surrounds.
ChromeFest
Friday 25–Sunday 27 October
Memorial Park, The Entrance
Celebrating it’s 16th year, The Entrance will once again come rev up a gear with cars, chrome and tunes from the good ol’ days! Over the 3 days, see 450+ cars on display with models pre 1979, enjoy the car cruises, live entertainment across 5 stages. Browse the retro markets stalls, watch the fashion parades and epic dance demonstrations! ChromeFest is a family friendly festival that draws huge crowds and is definitely one to add to your calendar.
November
Gossy Weekender
1-3 November
Gosford CBD
Gossy Weekender is a brand new live music activation running over three days from Friday 1 November to Sunday 3 November in Gosford's newly established Live music precinct in the CBD. Over 70+ musicians will play around multiple venues.
Patonga Blues Festival
Saturday 2 November
Broken Bay Sports and Recreation Centre, Patonga
Come and experience Australia's only Blues Music Festival accessible by boat! Now in it's 22nd year, The Patonga Blues Festival is a wonderful showcase of great Blues music by the water in a serene spot on the Central Coast. Sing along to Chain, Chasin' the Train and Liza Ohlback and the Mercy Train, as you sit on your own picnic chairs and rugs, delving into your esky with all your provisions. Ticket price includes return ferry travel.
Lighthouse Festival
Saturday 9 November
Norah Head Lighthouse, Bush Street, Norah Head
There’s nothing quite like a boutique one day music, food and wine gathering. The Lighthouse Festival with its breathtaking location at Norah Head reserve overlooking the ocean with feature some of Australian's finest music talents including Xavier Rudd, the headline act, followed by Kyle Lionhart, Calypso Cora, Dusty Boots, Little Green and Lemon Joe. Enjoy gourmet food, fine wine, local craft beer and great company. It's a simple recipe for an unforgettable day out.
Lakes Festival
Friday 8-Sunday 17 November
The Entrance, Woy Woy, Long Jetty, Toukley, Budgewoi, Avoca Beach, Ettalong Beach, Killcare, Davistown and Gosford
Making a splash across the Central Coast, the much loved Lakes Festival returns for a huge 10 days in November embracing sports, culture, art and live music. This year, the family-friendly festival will have 30 + free activations around the coast celebrating the diverse lakes and waterways in the region with everything from marine tours, markets, comedy festival, art installations, kayaking and SUP, live performances and much more! Don’t miss Light Up the Lake for an evening of live music, fireworks, food stalls and roving entertainment!
Central Coast Film Festival
30 November - 7 December
Ettalong Beach
The Central Coast Film Festival celebrates film makers through a collection of feature and short films that showcase authentic storytelling. From animated series, music videos and experimental films to student films and first national films, the festival will showcase local, national and international talent.
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