Image credit – Love Central Coast
Every November, the Central Coast comes alive around its waterways, and 2026 is shaping up to be the best year yet. The Lakes Festival is back for its 11th year, running from 6 to 15 November 2026, with more than 20 free events spread across 10 days of sporting, cultural, family, and environmental celebrations.
If you’ve never been, this is the year to make it happen. And if you’re a regular, you already know to book your accommodation early.
The short version: 10 days, 20+ free events, one spectacular lakeside setting. The Lakes Festival celebrates everything that makes the Central Coast’s waterways worth protecting and worth exploring.
The Lakes Festival is an annual 10-day event presented by Central Coast Council that celebrates the region’s lakes, waterways, beaches, and the communities built around them. It brings together locals and visitors for a program that covers everything from water sports and live music to art workshops, environmental education, and family activities.
The festival is centred around The Entrance and Tuggerah Lake, though events are spread across the wider Central Coast. Most events are completely free, which makes it one of the most accessible community celebrations on the NSW calendar.
The program typically includes a mix of:
Water-based activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and lake tours
Live music and entertainment at outdoor and waterfront venues
Art and craft workshops for kids and adults (think driftwood garden making, dried flower arrangements, and wildflower art)
Environmental and educational programs hosted by local organisations
Community celebrations that bring together local businesses, schools, and groups
Family-friendly activities suitable for all ages
The full 2026 program is released closer to the event date. Keep an eye on the Love Central Coast website for the latest schedule.
Of all the events across the 10-day program, Light Up the Lake is the one that draws the biggest crowds and the most anticipation. Held at the beautiful waterfront setting of Memorial Park, The Entrance, this evening event is a proper lakeside celebration with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and market stalls lit up against the water.
Thousands of people attend each year, and it’s easy to see why. There’s something genuinely magical about Memorial Park at night during the festival. The atmosphere is relaxed, the setting is stunning, and it’s the kind of event that works just as well for couples wanting a night out as it does for families with kids in tow.
The music kicks off from 4.05pm and runs through to a drone show finale over the lake. Here’s the full run of play:
Time | Act |
|---|---|
4.05pm | Discovered artist (TBA) |
4.50pm | RAGEFLOWER |
5.50pm | Charli Lucas |
7.00pm | BOY SODA |
8.10pm | Keli Holiday (DJ Set) |
9.00pm | Drone Show |
It’s a well-paced lineup that builds through the evening, starting with emerging local talent and finishing with a drone show over Tuggerah Lake. If you’re planning to catch the full night, get there by 4pm to settle in before the music starts.
Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially if you’re bringing a group or family
Food trucks and retail stalls are on-site, so you won’t need to venture far for dinner
The park is right on the lake foreshore, so a light jacket is handy for the evening breeze
Public parking fills up quickly, so consider walking from nearby accommodation if you can
One of the things that sets The Lakes Festival apart from a single-day event is its spread across an entire week and a half. That means you’re not racing to fit everything into one afternoon. You can pace yourself, pick the events that suit you, and actually enjoy the Central Coast while you’re here.
November is also a brilliant time to visit The Entrance. The weather is warm, the water is inviting, and the town has a relaxed energy that’s hard to find elsewhere on the NSW coast. Outside of festival events, there’s plenty to fill your days:
Walk the foreshore along Tuggerah Lake at sunrise
Watch the daily pelican feeding at Memorial Park (a genuine local institution)
Swim at The Entrance Beach, one of the most family-friendly beaches on the Central Coast
Explore the shops and cafes along The Entrance Road
Head north to Toowoon Bay or south to Terrigal for a change of scenery
If you’re visiting from Sydney, The Entrance is roughly 90 minutes up the M1, making it an easy weekend escape or a longer mid-week stay.
Location matters for a festival like this. When the main events are happening at Memorial Park and along the foreshore, being able to walk back to your room at the end of the night is a genuine advantage.
ibis Styles The Entrance sits right in the heart of The Entrance, overlooking Tuggerah Lakes. The hotel has 52 recently refurbished rooms, free parking, and direct access to Diggers The Entrance next door for meals, drinks, and live entertainment. It’s a practical, comfortable base that puts you within easy walking distance of Memorial Park and the festival’s main waterfront events.
Free on-site parking (no need to stress about festival traffic)
Access to Diggers The Entrance for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and post-event drinks
Lake views from selected rooms
Family-friendly room configurations for groups travelling with kids
WiFi throughout
Rooms fill up quickly during festival weekends, particularly around the Light Up the Lake event. If you’re planning to come, it’s worth booking early to lock in your preferred dates and room type.
Dates | 6 to 15 November 2026 |
Duration | 10 days |
Year | 11th annual Lakes Festival |
Events | 20+ events across the program |
Cost | Most events are free |
Main hub | The Entrance and Tuggerah Lake, Central Coast NSW |
Flagship event | Light Up the Lake, Memorial Park, The Entrance |
Presented by | Central Coast Council |
For the full program and event listings, visit visitnsw.com or the Love Central Coast website.
The Lakes Festival 2026 runs from 6 to 15 November 2026, spanning 10 days across the Central Coast. This is the 11th annual edition of the festival.
Yes, the vast majority of events across the 10-day program are completely free. A small number of ticketed workshops or special events may apply for certain activities, but the flagship Light Up the Lake event and most of the program are open to everyone at no cost.
The festival is centred around The Entrance and Tuggerah Lake on the Central Coast of NSW. The flagship Light Up the Lake event is held at Memorial Park, The Entrance. Other events are spread across the wider Central Coast region.
Light Up the Lake is the headline event of The Lakes Festival, held at Memorial Park on the waterfront in The Entrance. It features live entertainment, food trucks, market stalls, and family-friendly activities set against the backdrop of Tuggerah Lake at night. It’s the most popular event of the festival and draws large crowds, so arriving early is recommended.
ibis Styles The Entrance is one of the closest accommodation options to the festival’s main hub at Memorial Park. The hotel overlooks Tuggerah Lakes, includes free parking, and sits directly next to Diggers The Entrance for meals and post-event drinks. Rooms book out quickly around festival weekends, so it’s worth reserving early.
Planning your Central Coast trip around The Lakes Festival? These guides will help you make the most of your stay:
