THE ROLLING SETS

The Entrance – 9 December

Start summer off with a musical bang at The Rolling Sets; the cruisy one-day festival is back for its second year at The Entrance Memorial Park. It has an epic line-up including psychedelic surf rockers Ocean Alley, Freo group Spacey Jane and east coast folk duo The Dreggs. Add on accommodation for the night at The Village, a set-up at Shelly Beach Holiday Park in a luxe bell tent. 

rollingsets.com.au

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

The Entrance – 10 December

Back up The Rolling Sets with this newly minted music festival, held at Memorial Park the following day. You’ll spot big names in this line-up including Grinspoon, The Cat Empire and UK duo Royal Blood, as well as Six60, Skeggs and more across two stages. There’ll also be street food and market stalls. 

letthegoodtimesrollfestival.com.au

AVOCA BEACH TWILIGHT MARKET 

Avoca – 9 December

It’s time to get your Christmas shopping done stat, and what better way than under the stars browsing an array of quality local gifts. From the clever folk behind Avoca Beachside Markets, this one-night-only event includes almost 100 bespoke stalls, so you can get a head-start on your Christmas list. There will also be food trucks, live music and a bar run by local fave Six Strings Brewing, for some post-shopping beverages on a balmy eve. 

fixxevents.com.au 

LOVE LANES FESTIVAL

Wyong – 10 February

There ain’t no seven-year itch for this uber-cool evening fest in the heart of Wyong. The heritage town’s four lanes are struck with Cupid’s bow for this loved-up festival held just before Valentine’s Day. From 4 pm, the town will be abuzz with music and dance performances, roving entertainment, food and market stalls, a kids’ zone across four stages and in the charming laneways. 

lovecentralcoast.com/lovelanes

NEW YEAR’S EVE, 

The Entrance – 31 December

Farewell 2023 at this family friendly event held at The Entrance Memorial Park on New Year’s Eve. Listen to live music on the main stage as the sun melts over the waterfront, tuck into some street food at the many food vans and enjoy roving entertainment before a magical display of fireworks at 9 pm. 

LOST PARADISE

Glenworth Valley – 28 December to 1 January 

Another way to ring in the new year, Lost Paradise is a five-stage music festival, with performers from Flume to Lime Cordiale to Dom Dolla performing over the four-day event. Music lovers can camp or glamp in beautiful Glenworth Valley and join in non-music experiences, too, including yoga and meditation, creative workshops, exchange ideas at talks and debates, and gain a deeper understanding of our First Nations people through the Indigenous cultural program. There’s also a market village where you can eat, drink and shop, and the VIP Club Paradiso for those who like to get lost in paradise but keep it fancy. 

lostparadise.com.au 

AUSTRALIA DAY

Gosford – 26 January 

The Leagues Club Park in Gosford will be a bustling celebration for Australia Day, with live music and food stalls, as well as a heap of activities for little event goers such as a mini-fire truck, soft play area, giant lawn games and sports games. The eventful day will be topped off with a 9 pm fireworks display

MAX ADVENTURE RACE

Lake Macquarie – 10 February 

Time to come good on your New Years’ resolution about getting fit and having more adventures (etc. etc.) with this outdoor challenge that sees participants team up with a mate and complete a run, cycle and kayak. This isn’t just a fitness test, though. You also need to navigate your way around the course using a compass and topographic map. The catch? The course is a secret until registration on the day. 

maxadventurerace.com.au 

WORDS MEGAN ARKINSTALL