🌊 The Lakes Festival – 7–16 November 2025
Make a splash and celebrate the Central Coast’s stunning waterways at the tenth annual Lakes Festival! Spanning 10 days, this vibrant celebration brings together locals and visitors for family-friendly activities, cultural experiences, and educational programs hosted by local organisations and businesses.
Rediscover hidden gems on your doorstep and enjoy a diverse program that showcases the beauty and significance of our lakes and waterways.
🏆 Award-Winning Innovation
The 2024 festival was honoured with the RH Dougherty Events and Communications Award for Innovation in Special Events at the 2025 LGNSW Local Government Week Awards. This recognition highlights the festival’s unique partnership model and its impact on community engagement and regional tourism.
Featured event:
✨ Light Up the Lake
📅 Saturday 8 November 2025
🕓 4:00pm – 9:00pm
📍 Memorial Park, 46 Marine Parade, The Entrance NSW 2261
Celebrate the magic of the Lakes Festival with Light Up the Lake—an evening of entertainment, community spirit, and waterfront wonder. Held at the iconic Memorial Park, this free event features live music, family-friendly activities, food stalls, and a spectacular light display that transforms the lake into a glowing celebration.
Enjoy the celebration around the Central Coast
- Cinema Under the Stars – Gwandalan Lioness Park
Free movie night with food vans, jumping castles, and live entertainment. - Bouddi Coastal Run – Killcare
Scenic 14km and 21km trail runs plus a kids’ beach dash. - Marine Discovery Family Fun Day – Terrigal
Ocean-themed activities, guided tours, crafts, scavenger hunts, and more. - Bombora SUP Festival – Ettalong Beach
SUP yoga, races, kids’ events, and a 10k challenge. - Clambake – In My Waters – Gosford
A bold cabaret blending mythology, ecology, and circus arts. - Sustainable Future Festival – The Entrance
Workshops, demos, and performances promoting eco-living. - Sea Food Fest – Canton Beach
Fresh seafood, cooking demos, kids’ activities, and a floatie parade.
Arts
- Ebb & Flow Community Poems – Multiple locations
Collaborative poetry installations celebrating people and nature. - Painting by the Lake – The Entrance
Watercolour workshops and a live Plein Air Art Competition. - Spiral Coast – Narara
Circus and flow arts workshops for all ages. - Artisan Markets & Craft Fairs – The Entrance & Toukley
Handmade goods, local art, and community vibes. - The Wonders of Water – Avoca Lake
Dance, music, storytelling, and visual arts by Heartdancers.
Music and Entertainment
- T-Fest – Terrigal
One-day music festival with pop-up bars, food, and a karaoke finale - Nautical Country – Brooklyn
Country music cruise on the Hawkesbury River. - Zumba Kids – Gosford & Toukley
High-energy dance sessions blending global rhythms and culture.
Sustainability
- Beneath the Waves – The Entrance North
Operate underwater drones and explore aquatic habitats with marine scientists. - Catchment Crawl – Wyong
Guided bus tour of the Wyong River catchment with expert talks and hands-on activities. - Cooking with the Coast – Ourimbah
Sustainable seafood cooking classes with chef Phil Davy.
Exhibitions
- Celebrating Our Lake Exhibition – The Entrance
Watercolour artworks inspired by local waterways. - Marine Discovery Centre – Free Sessions – Terrigal
Weekday self-guided visits and weekend guided tours.
