Big Central Coast events you won’t want to miss in 2023

The event scene on the Central Coast is well and truly alive - and this means the calendar for 2023 is jammed-packed with something for everyone to enjoy... From festivals by the sea to river boat regattas, paddock to plate cuisine to cultural coastline walks, we're sure our beautiful region will continue to keep you on your toes, awaken your taste buds, and open your heart to the wonders of human creativity and connection! Now let's check out those headline events for each month...

Love Lanes Festival, Wyong

11 February, 4pm-9pm

A perfect way to lead up to Valentine’s Day. Love Lanes Festival is an annual festival held in the heart of Wyong, with four lanes, three music stages and one park. Explore hidden gems and get lost in lane ways, listen to live music and feast on delicious food. There’ll be markets, art displays, roving entertainment and circus performers. Immerse yourself in the colours, hype and buzz of this outdoor community street ‘love’ themed festival.

Girrakool Blues Festival, The Entrance

3-5 March

Named after the nearby waterfalls, and quite befittingly is Aboriginal for “Place of still water” Girrakool Blues Festival is a New Orleans style FREE event featuring international, national and local blues and roots acts on the foreshore at The Entrance. Apart from the music there will be a strong Aboriginal theme, with indigenous bands, Welcome to Country Ceremony.

Lighthouse Festival, Norah Head

11 March

Lighthouse Festival is a one-day boutique music, food & wine gathering, staged at Norah Head lighthouse reserve on the NSW Central Coast. Enjoy amazing artists in a breathtaking location. This year Pete Murray, Pierce Brothers, Steph Strings, Darren Middleton (Powderfinger) and D’Arcy Spiller grace the stage. The food will be focussing on fresh local produce and boutique wine makers.

Long Jetty Festival, Long Jetty

12 March, 10am–6pm

Showcasing all things music, art, creativity and local culture, the Long Jetty Festival is not to be missed! Long Jetty has boomed with alternative culture and creative hype and for one day the streets and venues will be activated with local artisan markets, food, interactive zones, local beer and wine village and multiple stages showcasing local musicians.   The Rubens and Meg Mac will be headlining the stage and local shops will be hosting workshops and shop parties. The festival is situated on the Long Jetty foreshore between Toowoon Bay Road and Thompson Street.

Vissla Central Coast Pro, Avoca Beach

13-18 March

Vissla Central Coast Pro World-class surfing will return to Avoca Beach in 2023 with this prominent surfing event for the Men’s Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 and Women’s Sisstrevolution World Surfing League qualifying events.  The elite six-day event will form the fourth and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series.

Flavours by the Sea, Terrigal

25 March, 11am-3pm

Round off Harmony Week at Terrigal Esplanade with some of the best music and food from around the globe. At Flavours by the Sea, you’ll practically experience a trip around the world. Tantalise your tastebuds with an array of international cuisines and enjoy live musical performances.

Davistown Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival, Davistown

2 April

Brisbane Water is home to many putt-putt boats, so it is fitting to host this free family friendly event to showcase the history, heritage and local character of these watercraft. The Davistown Putt Putt Regatta attracts putt putts travelling from as far as Queensland and the ACT and is one of the largest of its kind on the eastern seaboard offering water focussed activities and on-shore entertainment.

Words on the Waves Writers Festival, The Peninsula

31 May-5 June

Immerse yourself in a festival of stories and ideas on the Central Coast, with over 60 authors coming from all corners of Australia. Words on the Wave will be held at multiple venues across the Peninsula at Unima Beach, Ettalong Beah and Woy Woy. 

Harvest Festival Central Coast, Central Coast Hinterland and Mountains

10-11 June

From paddock to plate dining experiences, wine tastings to produce picking, hands-on workshops, meeting the farmers and producers and much more, the Harvest Festival Central Coast will take visitors through the Central Coast Hinterland and Mountains to explore and celebrate fresh local food.

Glenworth Grazing Food & Wine Festival, Glenworth Valley

10-11 June

With over 80 local vendors and the region’s top restaurants, there’s a huge range of craft beers, premium wines, handmade gins and incredible food to enjoy at Glenworth Grazing Food and Wine Festival. And with amazing live music, delicious food experiences and tons of kids entertainment, it’s the festival for all ages.

5 Lands Walk, Macmasters Beach

24 June

A physical, spiritual, and cultural journey along 10km of spectacular coastline linking five villages on the NSW Central Coast. The 5 Lands Walk combines Aboriginal cultural experiences, live music, art exhibitions and sculptural installations. It is a collaboration between the Aboriginal peoples and the broader communities of Darkinjung Country: the artists, the surf clubs, the schools, the local businesses. It is held on the Saturday closest to the winter solstice, when the whales, a significant totem of the Darkinjung people, are migrating north.

Central Coast Music Festival, Gosford

10-18 September

Central Coast Music Festival is a multi-day event that see’s Gosford burst to life with pop-up live music performances, interactive music workshops finishing off the week's festivities in style with a main music festival event!

ChromeFest, The Entrance

27-29 October

A tribute to classic American autos, hot rods and rock n’ roll. Held at Memorial Park, The Entrance, ChromeFest is a three-day event is jam-packed with plenty of entertainment and family-fun activities with market stalls, live performances, rock n’ roll dancing competition and vintage cars!

The Lakes Festival, (Central Coast wide)

3-12 November

The Lakes Festival showcases one of the Central Coast’s greatest assets – our waterways.  The festival involves community events across various locations in the region, providing family friendly events and educational programs.  

Brisbane Water Oyster Festival, Woy Woy

12 November

The Brisbane Waters Oysters Festival is a day of oysters, food, wine, entertainment and market stalls. 'How Many Oysters Can You Eat in 30 Seconds' is a highlight of the day with many competing for the famous trophy and prize.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations, The Entrance

31 December, 6pm-9pm

Celebrate the last sunset over the water by dancing along to live music performances, jump on the amusement rides and tuck into the tastiest of food on New Year's Eve. Hussy Hicks will headline the celebrations and festivities end with an incredible firework display at 9pm.