Four fun reasons to hit up the Central Coast for the rest of 2026

If you’re keen on connecting with scenic surrounds and switching off, this 10-day fest is calling your name. Returning for its 11th year, The Lakes Festival is hitting up 12 locations from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 15, with a bunch of outdoor events and family-friendly fun by the water.   

The beloved nature-centred celebration will kick off with its flagship event at The Entrance. Light Up the Lake will take over Memorial Park with the Central Coast’s first-ever drone show, accompanied by plenty of food stalls and live music. For the rest of the program, take your pick from a whole heap of activities spanning Ettalong Beach to Toukley and beyond. Think: waterside painting sessions, cooking classes, guided lighthouse tours, tai chi with picturesque views, educational talks on the region’s stunning waterways, or flicks at the twilight cinema.

Swing by Toukley Village Green before Sunday, November 15 and you can catch the current Artist in Residence, Samantha Fin, and her innovative exhibition. At Somaesthetic Spaces, you’ll find an immersive exploration of the intersections between body, place and creativity, where the community can contribute to her ongoing piece through collaboration and creation. 

Open each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 2pm, at Gallery Container Toukley, you can take part in free workshops daily and get your artist on with communal weaving and textiles during open studio sessions on Fridays. To round things out before the project wraps up, there’ll also be a free community exhibition to celebrate the community’s contributions thus far before Somaesthetic Spaces heads to Woy Woy.

Boating hats at the ready – Illoura Reserve Park is transforming into a big putt-putt showcase for a single-day stint. On Sunday, November 8, Davistown will host this waterfront fest with a dedicated collection of mainstays including restored putt-putts and artisanal wooden boats from 9am to 4pm. 

Home to one of Australia’s largest collections, the Central Coast is putting on a show of its collection with a Grade Parade – where you’ll spot the MV Saratoga and the Codock II (for the uninitiated, these are two of the most beloved ferries on the Central Coast) and familiarise yourself with that classic "putt-putt" engine sound. You also can immerse yourself in the region’s maritime heritage with exclusive exhibits, storytelling showcases, circus workshops, and a whopping 70-plus stalls of food, crafts and trinkets alongside a primo food marquee. Plus, there’ll be live commentary throughout the event for those keen on hearing about the finer details of each iconic vessels’ history and craftsmanship.

Heading up north for a longer trip? Add some festive activities to your travel agenda, because the Central Coast is getting a silly season makeover throughout the month of December. Get into the Christmas spirit with an outdoor screening of Elf on Friday, December 18 at The Entrance, where there’ll be a Xmas market and live carol singers. Visit winter wonderland-themed The Gallery Container at Toukley for free Santa snaps. Or swing by the Christmas Window Display Competition to catch six town centres competing in a huge contest – and you can help pick the winner of a $250 voucher by voting for your favourite. 

If you stick around the region in time to ring in the New Year, you can head to Gosford or The Entrance for a big bash to close out 2026. Expect great live music you can boogie to, and a cracking fireworks display at the family-appropriate time of 9pm. Quick tip – you’ll want to plan ahead for this one, though, since last year’s New Year’s Eve festivities drew a crowd of more than 15,000 viewers.