Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture Festival returns to Central Coast

More than 7,000 people showed up to the inaugural event, making it the largest pilot festival in the history of the NSW Central Coast. Despite COVID cancellations in 2020 and 2021, the event continues to grow, with 9500 attending last year's event, resulting in a complete sellout across its seven days and 12 events.

The event's third iteration features another week long program of surprises, fun and opportunities to engage with and learn about LGBTIQ arts and culture.

It will boast multiple activity hubs throughout the Coast, offering both free and ticketed events at Woy Woy, Ettalong Beach, Gosford and Umina Beach.

The program will feature cabaret, live music, film, dance parties, youth and senior activations, art exhibitions, workshops, a wellbeing hub and bingo.

The crowning attraction will be the Coastie Carnie Fair Day at Umina Beach's Peninsula Recreation Precinct on October 1. The day will feature all day entertainment from music and performance artists, a market with makers on site, food, beverages, representations from local businesses, and of course, the ever pup-ular Puparazzi Pooch Parade.

Festival director Glitta Supernova said this years theme of 'Inclusion Means You' is all about nurturing a culture of respect to create a happier and more welcoming society.

"In times as polarising as these, 'Inclusion Means You' encapsulates the ethos that everyone deserves to be heard, valued, and welcomed with respect," Glitta said.

Community members have an opportunity to participate by submitting art to the Community Art Exhibition, signing up a supermodel canine for the Pooch Parade or offering to volunteer in a range of capacities. Local businesses can also support the festival in a number of ways.

Other program highlights will include a makeup workshop, open mic poetry, short film screenings and several youth oriented events.

For more information or to book tickets click here.