Four fun reasons to hit up the Central Coast this month

It’s back – one of Australian’s largest displays of classic vehicles will be taking over The Entrance once more. For its 18th year running, the annual festival will boast a three-day itinerary for all the car enthusiasts and rock’n’roll fans. From Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, this year’s iteration will showcase over 450 pre-1979 show cars alongside live music, local vendors and panoramic ocean views. 

Dishing up a slice of style from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, you can explore everything the free-to-attend fest has to offer across its five outdoor stages. From electric performances, the Friday Night Car Cruise and retro markets through to fashion parades, and, of course, the Show ’n’ Shine display, there’s plenty of family-friendly fun to pick from. 

Swing by Woy Woy Peninsula on Sunday, October 11 and you’ll be met with a special single-day takeover of an eco-friendly nature. This free-to-attend event, powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, is bringing together the community to encourage sustainable living and raise environmental awareness while celebrating the beauty of the Central Coast. 

Get your green thumb ready – with more than 50 stalls, you can wander through and find local eco-focused vendors catering to reducing harmful environmental impact. They’ll be dishing up organic food, solar solutions, sustainable fashion, self-care products and wellness experiences. Plus, you can catch a wildlife show for the kids, join a community clothes swap or opt into some green living talks.

If you’re keen on a boogie to great live music, hit up this free, three-day fest. It’s heading back to Gosford from Wednesday, October 16, to Friday, October 18, with a stacked bill of emerging local talent and exciting national artist performances. 

Gossy Weekender puts music, arts and culture at the forefront, so you can get immersed in the up-and-coming creative scene that’s putting Gosford on the map. Expect a celebration of homegrown performers, with the likes of Beddy Rays, Odette, REDD., Velvet Trip and Axle Whitehead on the program. Plus, the festival is open to all ages, so it can even become your next hotspot for family fun.

Heading up north for a longer trip? Add this eight-day celebration of community, creativity and diversity at Umina Beach to your travel agenda. This multi-venue takeover is a family-friendly Pride festival centered on connection in inclusivity, featuring a big program of arts, culture and music platforming LGBTQIA+ voices from Sunday, September 27 to Sunday, October 4. 

This year’s theme is ‘Radical Radiance’, so you can catch dazzling theatre, film, dance, exhibitions, drag performances and cabaret that delve into aspects of the human identity through concepts such as courage, compassion, collective unity and visibility. To top it all off, Coastal Twist’s iconic flagship event, Coastie Carnie Fair Day, will close out its stay with a bunch of community activations, festive market stalls and live performances.