Annual Central Coast Events and Festivals

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What's happening on the NSW Central Coast? Here are yearly Central Coast events by the month. 

January

February

Mountain Sounds Festival

A 12-hour music festival on the beautiful grounds of Mount Penang Parkland.

Top music performers play over several stages. Some of last year’s performers were: Tkay Maidza, RUFUS, Hermitude, DMA’s, Dune Rats, Violent Soho, Alpine, Art vs Science, Green Buzzard, Skeggs and Cut Snake.

Hugely successful since starting in 2014. Tickets sell out each year.

You can camp two nights during the weekend of the festival.

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March

Girrakool Blues Festival & BBQ

A great line-up of Australian and international blues and roots music bands and at least one Aboriginal band at Mount Penang Parkland. Attracts an older crowd than the Mountain Sounds Festival, so it’s quite family-friendly.

Food is American Southern barbecue to symbolise blues music in the United States.

Can camp overnight.

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Opera in the Arboretum

Listen to opera. Includes soloists and orchestra.

Some past years performers were David Hobson, Sally-Anne Russell, Michaele Archer, Sally Maer, Andrew Jones.

The opera performances happen in the beautiful grounds of the Crommelin Arboretum in Pearl Beach. It’s a very lovely spot surrounded by large trees. Bring your food and drink, a picnic rug and chairs.

This event is organised by The Rotary Club of Woy Woy.

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April

Central Coast Italian Festival

The festival is everything Italian... Beverages. Cuisine. Coffee. Live music. Cars and bikes. Kids zone with Italian theme arts and crafts and other amusements. You can learn to cook Italian food. There’s lots of everything Italian going on.

Happens at the Ettalong Beach Tourist Resort, which has a stunning Italian architecture and decor.

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May

Narara Music Festival

Indie rock, blues & psychedelia music at Mount Penang Parkland. Had 13 band lineup (on the first year of its come-back since 1984) including: The Vanns, The Snowdroppers, Lepers and Crooks, Wild Honey and Polish Club. Can camp overnight.

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June

Central Coast Craft Beer and Cider Festival

A great event if you enjoy microbreweries…

Brewers from the Central Coast – Block 'n Tackle and  Six String Brewery – and from all around Australia come together to display their craft beers and ciders. Taste and taste and taste some more of these delicious craft beers and ciders at Kincumber Hotel.

There are also live music and food stalls. This event attracts nearly two thousand people.

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Bay to Bay Running Festival

One of the two most popular half-marathons & fun runs on the Coast. There’s also a kids run. Run alongside thousands of other runners along beautiful waterways from Woy Woy to Gosford. The profit from this event goes to local charities.

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5 Lands Walk

10 km walk along the coast from Macmasters Beach to Terrigal. The 5 Lands Walk is a great day out.

The purpose of the walk is to connect “people to people” and “people to land”. Hence the stunning location and the art and entertainment by Aboriginal, cultural and local communities at each of the five beaches along the walk.

Thousands of people – of all ages and levels of fitness – take part each year.

The walk happens during winter solstice, so migrating whales can be seen from several spots and lookouts.

Shuttle buses run all day between each beach and from and to the Palm Beach Ferry in Ettalong. Find out more about the 5 Lands Walk here. 

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July

Whale Dreamers Festival

A festival at Norah Head Lighthouse that raises awareness of the plight of whales and raises funds for conservation and research.

There’s entertainment, live music, food, talks and marine displays.

Be sure to spot migrating whales as well.

This event attracts thousands of people.

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The Entrance Winter Blues and Roots Festival

Live Blues and Jazz performances at Memorial Park, The Entrance. Take a chair or picnic rug at the park and enjoy free entertainment. There are amusement rides for kids as well.

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Lighthouse to Skillion Coast Walk

Challenging 27.5 km walk along the coastline from one landmark to another: Norah Head Lighthouse to the Skillion in Terrigal. About half of the walk is on the sand. There’s also a shorter 16 km walk starting at The Entrance.

The money raised is given to charity.

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August

Central Coast Country Music Festival

Just like the festival above, this country music festival occurs at The Entrance Memorial Park. It’s also free and you’ll find amusement rides for kids. Take your chairs and picnic rugs.

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September

Plant Lovers Fair

For plant and garden lovers. 40+ stalls selling native and exotic species. Includes rare and unusual plants. Some species are often not found in nurseries. Also, experts give talks, advices and demonstrations. Held at Kariong Mountains High School.

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Yarramalong Valley Spring Festival

The highlight of the festival is the scarecrows...

You can see funny scarecrows throughout Yarramalong Valley. There’s a scarecrow competition as well.

The festival runs from late August through September. It ends with the Agricultural Show… Wood chopping. Amusements for kids. “Wife carrying” competition. Live music. And more.

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October

Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival 

This festival at Davistown celebrates the history of putt putt and timber boats. You’ll see boats – which have been restored to their former glory – in all shapes and sizes.

The festival is family-friendly. There are amusement rides for kids including jumping castles. There are also food stalls and live music.

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ChromeFest

ChromeFest is a 3-day event for car and rock ‘n’ roll lovers. There are hundreds of old classic cars... American Classics, Hot Rods and pre-1978 full body Fords, Holdens and Chryslers. There’s also free live entertainment, rock ‘n’ roll bands and dancing, retro stalls, retro fashion parade and a Pinup Doll Competition. 

ChromeFest is held at The Entrance. 

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Woytopia 

Woytopia is the Central Coast’s biggest sustainable living festival. It focusses on positive and practical eco-living, like saving energy, growing veggies, keeping chooks and organic food.

The festival features great music, eco-market stalls, talks and workshops, delicious food, native animal and bushtucker shows and more.

 It’s also family-friendly – there’s heaps of entertainment for kids.

 Woytopia is held every two years. The next event is Sunday 14 October 2018 from 9am-3pm at Woy Woy South Public School, Waterloo Ave, Woy Woy.

Entry is free (optional gold coin donation).

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November

Patonga Blues Across The Bay 

Blues music festival at Broken Bay Sport & Recreation Centre on a Saturday afternoon. Accessible by ferry from Patonga or Palm Beach. Lineup includes: Big Scary, Montaigne, Methyl Ethel, Grizzlee Train, Blue Eyes Cry and No Zu.

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Central Coast Kids Day Out 

Lots of entertainment for young children: amusement rides, stage performances, live entertainment, pony rides, face painting, slides and more. There are also food and information stalls.

The aim of this festival is to bolster the wellbeing of families and young children. Held at Kariong Mountains High School.

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The Lakes Festival 

The Lakes Festival at Tuggerah Lake lasts for 10 days. The festival is made up of many events and it’s quite varied: From fireworks to concerts to triathlon and stand-up paddle board competitions.

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Brisbane Water Oyster Festival 

Eat fresh local oysters, taste wine from the Hunter Valley and sample international food. There are 100+ food and wine and art and craft stalls and live entertainment. There’s also an oyster eating competition. Kids can be amused in the kids’ zone with face painting and more.

This is a great day out for families and wine and food lovers.

This festival happens the second Sunday of November on the beachfront at Ettalong.

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Lighthouse Folk Festival 

Listen to Folk music performances at Norah Head Lighthouse. The view of the coastline in the background is amazing.

Artists are locals and also from all over Australia. Past performers included Paul Kelly, Charlie Owen Winterbourne and Husky.

There are quality pop-up food and drink stalls on the site: Six String Brewery, The Hungry Traveller, Donnie Eats and Sugar High Creations.

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Central Coast Half Marathon 

Half-marathon and 10 km fun run at The Entrance Memorial Park. Run along Tuggerah Lake on a flat surface. It’s a lot of fun.

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December

The Christmas Fair Central Coast 

165+ quality stalls and Live music at Mount Penang Gardens. Stalls are handmade arts and crafts, fresh food, international food, beer and wine.

For the spirit of Christmas there are Christmas puddings, carols, children choir and a visit from Santa.

There are lots of fun things for kids: puppet shows, magic shows, face painting, amusement rides, jumping castles, slides and more.

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New Year's Eve Fireworks

Celebrate New Year's Eve at one of these locations...

• The Entrance: Christmas Eve fun from 6 pm for the whole family at Memorial Park. Take a chair or picnic rug. Listen to carols, enjoy a special performance for kids, a visit from Santa and fireworks at 9 pm. Find out more. 

• Gosford: Day-long festival that includes horse races at The Entertainment Grounds with amusements for kids. Then a fixture with Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium. And entertainment and food stalls at the waterfront, followed by fireworks. Find out more. 

Lost Paradise

3-day of music, food and camping & glamping in the bush of Glenworth Valley over New Year. Think great music lineup, eccentric outfits, yoga and meditation corner, family corner. Lineup included Flight Facilities, Sticky Fingers, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Gang Of Youths, Big Scary, Montaigne, Methyl Ethel, No Zu and more. An impressive festival. 

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