The Lakes Festival

Overview

This month, The Lakes Festival celebrates its tenth birthday. The festival is designed in homage to the Central Coast's lakes, waterways and community with a stellar program of 30-plus events dotted along the coast. The majority of the program is free to enjoy, too.

Each year, it brings a smack of music, colour and culture to the Central Coast. From November 7–16, we're all invited to head north and make the most of the lineup.

The highlight of the festival takes place on Saturday, November 8 with Light Up the Lake. Headlined by Ruby Fields, she'll share the stage with Dear Sunday, Dizzy Days, Chloe Parché, and Elaskia. As the sun sets, the sky will erupt with fireworks to, as the name suggests, light up the lake. Away from the main stage, food trucks and local restaurants will be serving hungry festival goers between sets.

Aside from great music, The Lakes Festival is about honouring the waterways through sustainability. Naturally, that means everyone's favourite gardener, Costa Georgiadis, will be making an appearance. You can catch him and Lottie Dalziel (NSW Young Australian of the Year) at the Sustainable Future Festival at The Entrance on Saturday, November 15. Over the ten days, make the trip north and you'll be able to experience everything from floating yoga to artisan markets.

There's something for everyone at the festival—even Pelican Time. Join a free talk with local volunteers who rescue and care for the area's beloved pelicans. Or, join a cooking class and learn to cook with native ingredients like pepperberry and saltbush. Stop by The Entrance Artisan Markets for local artwork and homemade scones.

Spend a day following the Soundscapes Story Trail throughout the Central Coast where local writers and creators have written stories with the coast as the muse. Drive up to Canton Beach for a day at Sea Food Fest and devour fresh prawns in the sunshine. You can even operate an underwater drone or rover to scope out underwater habitats in Tuggerah Lake. Or, head down to Avoca Beach and join a free surf lesson or group surf.

Carve out some space in your November, The Lakes Festival is sounding like summer's place to be.

Check out the full digital program here.

Lead Image: The Lakes Festival