Love Local Guide: Happy Holidays
Let’s shape this giving season on the Central Coast around gifting amazing local products and experiences to our loved ones.
The Central Coast’s resilient, creative small businesses give our community its colour, so we’ve created an essential holiday guide to help you support them by shopping, dining and celebrating local produce, wares, art and talent!
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…
Festive Central Coast events
Markets, skating, workshops, carols and fireworks...
Good Times Summer - Saturday 16 December to 28 January 2024
This summer discover the sunny side of Gosford. Explore the city, the laneways, the waterfront and immerse yourself in fresh festivities, delightful dining and wholesome happenings. Running from 16 December 2023 through to 28 January 2024, Good Times Summer will offer something for everyone to enjoy and feel part of a changing cityscape. Find out more.
Gosford Christmas Markets - 1, 8 and 16 December
Kibble Park will be transformed into a magical Christmas experience. It will be a place to enjoy tasty Christmas treats, buy locally made gifts, be wowed by the roving entertainment and live music. More info.
Avoca Beachside Markets Twilight Edition – Saturday 9 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.
Christmas at Woy Woy Markets - Sunday 10 December
Come along and do your Christmas shopping at the Woy Woy Waterfront Handmade and Artisan markets. In its 5th year, these markets are dedicated to supporting creative makers and creators with a passion for producing quality products. More info
Bells at Killcare + Central Coast Life and Style Christmas Market - Sunday 10 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 and take advantage of a free gift wrapping service. More info.
Central Coast Christmas Twilight Market - Saturday 17 December
The Waterfront Plaza will come alive with the Christmas cheer and will feel extra Christmassy when Santa and Mrs Claus come to visit. Meet local artisans selling their handmade homewares, jewellery, textiles, ceramics and eco-friendly and free trades goodies. Sample delicious cuisines, tasty treats and fresh produce. Enjoy the live music that will have your feet tapping along to really get you in the Christmas Spirit. Find out more
Christmas Twilight Pop Up Market - Sunday 17 December
BlackFinn Espresso in Toukley will host a twilight market from 4-8pm selling pre-loved clothes, showcasing new small businesses and there will be a range of delish goodies to savour in. The evening will be adorned with carols to get you in the festive spirit. More info.
Christmas Under the Stars - Friday 22 December
Christmas Under the Stars is back for 2023. Share the joy of Christmas and enjoy a fun filled evening of carols, entertainment and fireworks. There is something for everyone. Let Chase and Ryder from PAW Patrol, Nathan Foley and Gina Jeffery’s Christmas Stars entertain you while you sing and dance and get in the festive spirit. Gates open at 4:30pm. More Info here.
Deluxe Christmas wreath making workshop - 23 and 24 December
Make a beautiful everlasting Christmas wreath for your front door at House of Ellery in Wyong. Loaded with seasonal foliage such as pine, holly, eucalyptus, berries, dried fruit, pine cones, gum nuts, paper flowers, your stunning wreath can also be used as a table centre piece. A beautiful gift to give or a stunning arrangement to keep. Book your tickets here.
Christmas on the Coast
The region's town centres will come alive with the magic of Christmas during December.
Toukley - Saturday 2 December
Wyong - Saturday 2 December
Gosford - Sunday 24 December
The Entrance - Sunday 24 December
NYE Fireworks - Saturday 31 December
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Entrance. Live Music including Riley Lovell, Toby Wells, The Appointments, Sunsoli, amusement rides, original art and unique gift stalls and onsite food vendors. Watch the final sunset of the year with family and friends before an amazing display of fireworks to the finish the evening. The fun filled family event will take place from 5:30-9pm. More Info
Christmas Day Lunch
Where to eat on the Coast
Avoca Beach House
Come together on Christmas Day with family and friends. Settle in the sun and take in the views and enjoy an Aussie themed Christmas feast of seafood, roast and pavlova! The feast includes a 2.5 hour beverage package. Book your table here.
Beachcomber Resort, Toukley
Indulge in the luxury of Christmas by the water. Feast on delicious food with family and friends, and take advantage of the 2 hour complimentary drink package *Bookings must be made by 7 December. Book your table here.
Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford
Enjoy an enchanting 4 course Christmas luncheon with complimentary wine at Wildwood and taste the magic of Christmas in every mouthful. Book your table here.
Crown Plaza, Terrigal
Enjoy a decedent Christmas lunch in the Grand Ballroom or a 4 course lunch in the new Meribella restaurant room overlooking the stunning the Terrigal Beach. Book your table here.
Ettalong Diggers, Ettalong
Come along and enjoy the joy of Christmas with a Christmas Day buffet lunch with all your favourite seafood, meats, salads, hot food and desserts. If you are alone this Christmas, don't fear, tell the friendly staff and they will place you on the community table! Book your table here.
Lago Cucina, Budegwoi
Sit back and relax whilst you dine on a 3 course feast set in a beautiful Italian trattoria. Bonus bon bons and Christmas decoration provided to make your Christmas Day extra memoriable. Book your table here.
Mercure Kooindah Waters, Wyong
An all-inclusive gourmet traditional buffet feast with a 3 hour beverage package. Bookings essential. Book your table here.
Pullman Magenta Shores, Magenta
Take all the stress out of Christmas 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.
Yellowtail, Terrigal
Celebrate on Christmas Eve at Yellowtail. Enjoy a Yum-Cha lunch and dinner from the a la carte or the 5-course degustation menu. Book your table here.
Enjoy Christmas lunch prepared for you a different way
Pick up a large or Signature Avoca Beach House Seafood platter and bring the freshest seafood to your Christmas festivities. Book your pickup date here.
Ring in the New Year
Where to celebrate on the Central Coast
Avoca Beach House Restaurant
Bring in the new year with a 5 course feast and live entertainment from DJ Dynamix to dance the night away while overlooking the stunning Avoca beach. Find out more.
Beachcomber
GOOD AS is back at The Beachie this NYE. Party into 2024 with Winston Surfshirt, Yolanda Be Cool, Mowgil May, Felixx, Dyl Barrie and FRASHN. Book your tickets.
Budgewoi Hotel
Say cya to 2023 by celebrating with acoustic sessions from Jason Bone and Brendan Watson before kicking into party gear with Fleetwood Nicks and DJ Vista. Find out more.
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
Dine at Gosford's newest venue, Meribella and enjoy a vivacious New Year's Eve party showcasing a 6-course tasting menu by emerging culinary talent Joshua Mason. Optional matching wines. Book your tickets here.
Drifters Wharf
See the New Year in with Sneaky Sound System at Drifters Wharf in Gosford. Dance the night away to their chart topping songs on the waterfront. Book your tickets here.
Hotel Gosford
Celebrate the New Year with 3 nights of DJ's! Enjoy happy hour cocktails, karaoke, sets from Gossy Good Times where you can party under a disco ball! Find out more.
KEFI
Ring in the new year Mediterranean style at Koolewong's newest Greek venue. Enjoy roaming canapes, followed by a 3 course menu and 2 hour beverage package. Dance the night away to live music and enjoy plate smashing at midnight. Book your tickets.
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 $15 cocktails specials throughout the night. Book your table here.
Margarita Daze
Take in the last sunset of the year and spend NYE's by the beach with live music from Daxton from 4-8pm and drinks until 9pm. More info here.
Meribella
Join Terrigal's newest glamourous coastal dining and celebrate the New Year top shelf entertainment and a 6 course tasting menu by emerging culinary talent Joshua Mason. Pair with matching wines. Book your tickets.
PAV Pop-UP
Terrigal's newest venue will be hosting a NYE party, seaside style! Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival then party the night away with East London's Riva Starr and local DJ's playing throughout the evening. Book your tickets.
Swells
Celebrate NYE overlooking the ocean with a glass of bubbles on the balcony followed by canapés and a delicious 4 course meal. Book your table here.
Terrigal Beach House
See in 2024 in a vibrant and colourful celebration! Party like you are in Rio at the Carnival goes Coastal at Terrigal Beach House. Live entertainment featuring DJ Jove. Book Tickets here.
Terrigal Hotel
Countdown to midnight and dance the night away with beats of ZONE sound system in Terrigal Houtel's newly renovated beer garden. Enjoy the vibrant flavours of their new summer food and drinks menu. Find out more.
Eco – a Christmas Gift that won’t cost the earth
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.
Special stocking fillers
Handmade gifts from Makers & Creators
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.
Baked with festive cheers from around the world
Burnt Honey Bakery at Copacabana and Long Jetty have a Christmas biscuit tin box to take you on a a trip around Europe without living your veranda. Enjoy Speculaas, the Dutch spiced biscuit, rich Swedish shortbread, kourabiedes from Greece, the delicate shortbread of diamants au violette from France. A great gift with local at heart.
Fashioning Sustainability this Christmas
Give a one of kind gift from repurposed and discarded clothing. Local Avoca Beach maker Virginia Riley fashions pre-loved items and accessories she has collected over the years into beautiful earrings. These stunning pieces are made from electrical wire, yarn, recycled beads to hand pressed local flowers. Support slow fashion and local makers and creators.
Giving new life
Secondlife recrafted repurpose there stunning collection of chopping board from local unwanted wood. Being the wood back to life, this local maker from Saratoga has a unique range of wooden décor items that perfect to give to lower your footprint.
Local gin distillery originals
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 Australia, 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.
Gourmet food & drink gifts
Paw-tastic gifts
You can’t forget about your four legged friend and Happy Hound Treats Co at Blue Haven have the perfect stocking suffer for your four legged friend. Whole ingredients. Sold around the Central Coast at local markets. Or try Puppy Christmas biscuit tin treats from Burnet Honey with biscuits made from peanut butter, honey and whole-wheat flour.
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.
- The Cowrie at Terrigal, an unforgettable dining experience.
- The Terrigal Pavillion at Terrigal, with exceptional ocean views.
- The Box on the Water offers superb waterfront views at Ettalong and a modern Australian dining menu.
- 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.
Luxury local gift hampers
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.
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