Celebrating its 18th year, ChromeFest is returning to The Entrance on the Central Coast this October with three days of classic cars, live music, vintage fashion and plenty of rock 'n' roll. From more than 450 pre-1979 cars and the famous Twilight Cruise to pinup pageants, retro markets and dance lessons, there's a lot happening across the waterfront festival. Whether you're a serious car enthusiast or looking for a fun spring weekend on the Central Coast, here's what's happening at ChromeFest 2026. Thursday, October 22 Technically, ChromeFest begins on Friday, but you can get a head start on the festivities on Thursday night. The Thursday Night Social will bring dance lessons from Blue Suede Shoes Dance School, giving visitors the chance to brush up on their rock 'n' roll moves before the main event kicks off. It's a fitting way to warm up for the weekend. Friday, October 23 Friday is when ChromeFest officially gets underway, with hundreds of classic cars, live entertainment and retro activities taking over The Entrance. The weekend's tunes live music program will spread across five outdoor stages, with performances from acts including The Rockin Mustangs. As evening rolls around, head to Memorial Park for Chrome After Dark, a free concert kicking off from 4.30pm. It's a chance to see the festival after dark, with live music from The Hellcat III, The Flattrakkers, and The Cattrakkers, providing the soundtrack to an evening by the waterfront. [caption id="attachment_1150238" align="alignleft" width="1920"] ChromeFest[/caption] Saturday, October 24 Saturday is the day to give yourself plenty of time to explore. Over 450 classic, custom and vintage vehicles will be on display throughout The Entrance as well as retro stalls and markets. There'll also be vintage fashion parades, rock 'n' roll and swing demonstrations, dance lessons and plenty of food and entertainment to keep you occupied between the cars. Then comes the Saturday Twilight Cruise, one of the weekend's major highlights, when hundreds of classic cars cruise through the streets of The Entrance as the sun begins to set. Afterwards, keep the dancing going at Saturday Night Jive at Mingara Recreational Club, with Lucky Seven and The LineLockers taking to the stage. The jive is ticketed, so book via the website ASAP to not miss out. Sunday, October 25 If one day of ChromeFest isn't enough, Sunday gives you another chance to soak up the festival atmosphere. Continue exploring the classic cars and markets, catch more live music and check out the weekend's final fashion, dance and entertainment activities. Sunday brings the Show N' Shine competition, with pre-1979 cars of all makes and models on display and ready to be judged. The competition spans categories including King of Chrome, Hot Rod, General Motors, Aussie Built, American Car, British & Euro and Muscle Car, while the People's Choice Award is decided by festival-goers themselves. Simply scan one of the QR codes around the event site to cast your vote for your favourite show car. The Australian Pinup Pageant NSW Grand Final is another highlight of the weekend, celebrating the vintage style that has become such a big part of the event. With family-friendly activities, food, entertainment and plenty more happening around The Entrance, Sunday is a chance to take things at your own pace and soak up the atmosphere of the Central Coast festival before heading home. ChromeFest has become one of the Central Coast's major annual celebrations, and it's easy to see why. The Entrance is just 90 minutes from Sydney, so you can make ChromeFest a day trip, stay for the whole weekend, or plan a longer Central Coast escape around it. For more events and experiences happening across the region, head to Love Central Coast and start planning your next Central Coast adventure. Image Credit: ChromeFest
