Love Local List: Happy Holidays

Our small businesses are the heart of our community - bringing colour, creativity and connection to every town centre. Whether you're picking up fresh produce, finding a festive outfit, or booking a table for New Year’s Eve, every local purchase makes a difference.

Explore our latest Love Local Guide and discover how easy it is to support small businesses this holiday season.

Christmas 2025 on the Coast

From twinkling lights and joyful carols to festive window displays and photos with Santa, our town centres will transform into enchanting holiday hubs. Christmas on the Coast is set to spread cheer across the region - inviting locals and visitors alike to celebrate the season in true coastal style.

NYE 2025 on the Coast

The countdown to 2026 is on - and there’s no better place to celebrate than the Central Coast. Whether you're dancing under the stars, raising a glass alongside some spectacular foodie fare, or enjoying a relaxed evening with family and friends, New Year's Eve here is unforgettable. From free fireworks and live music to fine dining and festive events, there’s something for everyone to ring in the new year in style.

Avoca Beachside Markets Twilight Edition

Come and celebrate the Christmas season with a family-friendly night market (Saturday 6 December, 2025) 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.

Bells Christmas Market

Support the local community this year at Bells at Killcare and nab all your holiday shopping in one place. Join local artists, makers and creators at the annual Christmas Market in the conservatory, held Sunday December 7, 2025.

Central Coast Christmas Fair

Join the festive fun on Saturday 29 November from 9am–3pm at Gosford Showground, where over 100+ stalls, delicious eats, live music and all the Chrissy vibes come together for a magical day out.

Christmas Wreathmaking Workshop

Celebrate the season with a hands-on workshop (December 20, 2025) with House of Ellery, where you’ll craft a stunning Everlasting Christmas Wreath - brimming with fresh foliage, native blooms and festive charm to enjoy for years to come.

Pearl Beach Carols at the Arboretum

Join the Pearl Beach Singers on Monday 22 December 2025 for a magical evening of Christmas carols under the trees at the Pearl Beach Arboretum - complete with a visit from Santa himself to spread a little extra cheer.

The Cowrie, Terrigal

Celebrate Christmas Day in style at The Cowrie in Terrigal, where you’ll enjoy a refined dining experience with panoramic ocean views and a seasonal menu showcasing the best local produce - perfect for a memorable festive feast. To book, go to the reservations tab of the Cowrie website and navigate to 25 December 2025 for details.

Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford

Celebrate Christmas with a bountiful buffet overlooking the bay - featuring charcuterie, carvery, fresh seafood, decadent desserts, and a 2-hour drinks package, with two sittings available to suit your festive plans. Book your table here.

Avoca Beach House

It wouldn't be a coastie Christmas without beautiful fare right by the rolling ocean - and for all that, Avoca Beach House has you covered this year. Ditch the washing up, pop on your summer frock and book your table here.

Gosford RSL, Gosford

Celebrate Christmas Day in The Gardens with a delicious buffet of fresh seafood, carvery favourites, seasonal salads, decadent desserts, and live entertainment - perfect for a joyful family feast. Book your table here.

Lago Cucina, Budgewoi

Let Lago take care of Christmas this year with a relaxed three-course set menu, festive snacks, and all the seasonal flavours - perfect for celebrating with family or friends, no cooking required. Book your table here.

Mercure Kooindah Waters, Wyong

Celebrate Christmas Day with a lavish buffet lunch at Mercure Kooindah Waters in Wyong, featuring a delicious spread of traditional and modern dishes, fresh seafood, and sweet treats - plus a 3-hour drinks package and a special gift for the kids, all served in a warm, festive setting. 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.

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.

The Doylo, Doyalson

Enjoy a relaxed Christmas Day at The Doylo with a festive lunch and live entertainment—perfect for families looking to celebrate with great food and easy-going holiday vibes. Book your table here.

New Year's Eve at Gosford 2025

Join the Central Coast community at Leagues Club Park for a vibrant, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music, food trucks, roving performers, and a dazzling 9pm fireworks finale. With accessibility features and family-friendly entertainment, it’s the perfect way to welcome 2026 safely and in style.

Senior Habibi's, Terrigal

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025 at Señor Habibi’s with a vibrant night of delicious food, cultural entertainment, and festive cheer. Enjoy a lavish banquet, mesmerising belly dancing, and optional upgrades like oysters and champagne - vegetarian options included.

Bells at Killcare

Ring in the New Year with a fabulous dinner party at one of the Central Coast’s most celebrated restaurants, Bells at Killcare - starting with garden canapés at 6pm, followed by a decadent 4-course set menu and champers.

Lago Cucina

Celebrate the New Year with views of the lake and indulge in delicious Italian-inspired dishes from the a la carte menu, complete with cocktail specials throughout the night.

Drifter's Wharf, Gosford

Party into 2026 with Furnace and the Fundamentals, a high-energy band known for their outrageous live shows and epic mashups of the greatest songs ever written. From Beyoncé to Queen, their electrifying FURNAPALOOZA set promises a non-stop celebration packed with confetti, inflatables, and unforgettable dance-floor anthems.

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.

Coast Shelter

Supporting Coast Shelter this Christmas means helping vulnerable families and individuals across the NSW Central Coast experience the joy and dignity of the festive season. With demand for emergency accommodation and domestic violence support up 55%, your donation or gift can bring warmth, hope, and a brighter holiday to those doing it tough in our community.

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. Extra bonus? 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, Forrester's Beach

Midcoast Photography, The Entrance

Kylie Kennedy Photography, Kulnura

Free Santa photos, Toukley

Step into a festive wonderland this December as Santa makes special appearances at the Gallery Container in Toukley Village Green. From 7 to 24 December, families can enjoy free DIY Santa photos in a beautifully decorated Christmas setting, with pet-friendly photo sessions available on select dates. While you wait, post a letter to Santa and soak up the holiday cheer in one of the Central Coast’s most charming town centres. It’s a joyful, free experience perfect for locals and visitors alike to celebrate the season together.

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.

We tip our hats to this one

Give the gift of style this Christmas with a handcrafted Bird+Hill hat - designed locally in Terrigal and made from premium corduroy and hemp. These sustainable, one-of-a-kind pieces are perfect for beach lovers, adventurers, and anyone who appreciates Aussie-made quality.

The gift of gin

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 pud recipe for 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.

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, no harmful nasties, and the best part? All lovingly handmade here on the NSW Central Coast. 

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 - all handcrafted locally and ready to be gifted.

Handmade joy from a Central Coast creative

The Wong Way is a Central Coast lifestyle blog and boutique by Izy Wong, offering handmade crystal jewellery, wellness tips, and thoughtful gift ideas. It’s a beautiful destination for festive inspiration, intentional living, and locally made treasures.

Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

This festive season, finding your perfect real Christmas tree on the Central Coast is easier than ever thanks to a range of local growers and florists offering beautiful, fresh options. From full-sized pine trees at East Coast Beverages in Kulnura to miniature centrepieces at Boydita Flowers in Erina, there’s a tree to suit every home and style. You can also support community causes by purchasing from Rotary Club locations, with proceeds going to programs like “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.” Whether you’re after a towering 8ft tree or a charming tabletop version, the Central Coast has you covered for a truly local and meaningful Christmas tradition.

Herbie's Spices

Perfect for passionate cooks and food lovers, Herbie’s Spices is your go-to for rare and hard-to-find ingredients. Their Christmas Feast Kit includes eight spice packs and twelve festive recipes - an ideal way to elevate your holiday menu with flavour and flair.

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

Looking for a last-minute gift with a touch of luxury? A festive fine dining voucher from one of the Central Coast’s top restaurants or newcomer voco offers a truly memorable experience for food lovers and special occasions.

• The Cowrie at Terrigal, an unforgettable dining experience.
• voco in Gosford, helping you unwind in style - home to six dining venues, a rooftop bar and coastal views.
• Amarilla in Terrigal, to enjoy Spanish-inspired waterfront dining.
• KEFI at Koolewong for waterfront views with a Greek-inspired menu. Opa!
• 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.
• Meribella at Terrigal, a new glamorous coastal dining experience in the heart of Terrigal.

Bamvino

Add a gourmet twist to your Christmas with Bamvino's beautifully curated hampers. Choose from Naughty & Nice or Sugar & Spice, each packed with boutique goodies including locally-made Crooked Creek biscuits from Ourimbah Valley.

Central Coast hampers

From Maggie Beer’s sparkling and Grandma’s Christmas Pudding to Hawkesbury Brewing Co beer packs with nuts and gingerbread, Central Coast Hamper Gifts are hamper experts offering something for everyone - partners, colleagues, babies or besties.

Claya's festive luxury boxes

Explore Claya's pre-packed gift boxes designed to match your recipient’s lifestyle, with festive themes like Night Before Christmas and White Christmas for the ultimate pamper moment.

Corporate and event gifting

Say thank you in style with deluxe gifts from Love Local Creations. Customisable options include cheeseboards, Moore’s Dry Gin packs, and Men Who Scrub skincare paired with Hawkesbury Brewing Co beers.

Chocoholics unite, this one's for you

For the chocoholics, Naughty but Nice and Waiting for Santa hampers from The Chocolate Factory are bursting with locally-made sweet treats - perfect for a festive indulgence.