When is The Lakes Festival 2026?

The Lakes Festival 2026 runs from 6 to 15 November 2026 across 10 days. It is the 11th annual festival and brings together lakeside events, family activities, and community celebrations around The Entrance and the wider Central Coast.

Is The Lakes Festival free to attend?

Most of the festival is free, which is one of the reasons it is so popular with locals and visitors. Some workshops or special activities may be ticketed, but the main program and Light Up the Lake are designed to be easy to enjoy without a big spend.

Where is the main hub for The Lakes Festival?

The festival is centred on The Entrance and Tuggerah Lake, with Memorial Park as the main focal point for key events. Some activities also spread across the wider Central Coast, so it is worth checking the full program before you go.

What is Light Up the Lake?

Light Up the Lake is the headline event of The Lakes Festival, held at Memorial Park on the waterfront in The Entrance. It usually includes live entertainment, food trucks, market stalls, and family-friendly activities, and it is the busiest night of the festival.

Where should I stay for The Lakes Festival?

ibis Styles The Entrance is a convenient base for the festival because it is close to Memorial Park and the foreshore. It offers refurbished rooms, free parking, lake views from selected rooms, and easy access to Diggers The Entrance next door.

ibis Styles The Entrance Gold Win

Media: Central Coast Council Celebrates ibis Styles The Entrance’s Gold Win

ibis Styles The Entrance has been featured in a Central Coast Council media release celebrating the region’s success at the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards.

Our Gold win in the 4–4.5 Star Accommodation category joins a fantastic line-up of achievements for local tourism. We’re proud to be part of the Central Coast’s tourism community and grateful to our team and guests for being part of our story.