Looking for a Pride getaway with beachside charm, world-class entertainment and none of the big-city crowds? Just 70 minutes north of Sydney and 70 minutes south of Newcastle, Coastal Twist Festival returns to the NSW Central Coast from 27 September to 4 October, transforming the region into a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ arts, culture and community.
Under this year’s theme, Radical Radiance, Coastal Twist invites locals and visitors alike to experience a colourful program of cabaret, dance parties, visual art, storytelling, live music, youth events and community celebrations, culminating in the much-loved Coastie Carnie Fair Day on the shores of Umina Beach.
The 2026 program features an exciting blend of local talent and nationally recognised artists, including RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Season 4 winner Lazy Susan, internationally acclaimed aerial circus and cabaret artist Empress Stah, multi-award-winning First Nations burlesque performer Kitty Obsidian, and legendary Australian DJ Stephen Allkins (Love Tattoo).
Also featured is techno trailblazer DJ Estée Louder, Indigenous dancer and ballroom artist Gusta Mara, performance artist King Cuuntessa, drag king violinist Fine China, queer cabaret comedian and vocalist Frock Hudson, alongside a host of emerging and established LGBTQIA+ creatives from the Central Coast and across Australia.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a rich festival program spanning storytelling, visual arts, cabaret, live music, youth events, social gatherings and late-night celebrations. Highlights include Bravewords Live: Coastal Twist Edition, where local and visiting writers share powerful true stories of life, love and resilience.
There is also the annual Coastal Twist Group Art Exhibition showcasing LGBTQIA+ artists from across the region and beyond; the spectacular Love Club Cabaret hosted by Lazy Susan; and Dance Party Bauhaus Electric, a bold celebration of music, art and nightlife headlined by Stephen Allkins and an outstanding line-up of DJs and performers.
A cornerstone of Coastal Twist has always been its commitment to supporting young people. This year’s program includes LOUD MOUTH, a youth-led showcase celebrating music, drag, dance, poetry and comedy from some of the Central Coast’s most exciting emerging queer creatives.
Young festival-goers can also attend Neon Riot, a dedicated dance party for LGBTQIA+ and allied young people aged 12 to 17, while young adults aged 18 to 26 can connect through Amazing Queers United (AQU).
Across the week, audiences can explore everything from literary events and visual arts exhibitions to social gatherings, live music and family-friendly activities. Whether discovering a local artist, hearing an unforgettable story, dancing late into the night or joining friends and family at Fair Day, there are opportunities throughout the festival for everyone to take part.
The festival concludes on Sunday 4 October with the return of Coastie Carnie Fair Day, a free all-ages celebration held at the picturesque Peninsula Recreation Precinct at Umina Beach, just moments from the shoreline. Featuring live entertainment, market stalls, food vendors, community groups, family activities and the ever-popular Puparazzi Pooch Parade, Fair Day combines a classic Pride celebration with a uniquely relaxed coastal atmosphere.
While Coastal Twist proudly celebrates LGBTQIA+ communities and culture, the festival is ultimately about something much broader: recognising and celebrating the diversity that already exists within our communities. Audiences of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, identities and experiences are encouraged to take part.
In major cities, queer culture, events and community spaces can often be found around every corner. In regional Australia, opportunities for visibility, connection and celebration can look very different. Festivals like Coastal Twist play an important role in creating space for people to come together, share stories, experience diverse perspectives and foster a stronger sense of belonging.
By bringing together artists, audiences, locals and visitors from across Australia, Coastal Twist helps create conversations that build understanding, challenge stereotypes and strengthen communities. Through art, storytelling and shared experiences, the festival celebrates both our differences and our common humanity, reminding us that diversity belongs everywhere, not just in metropolitan centres.
While the entertainment line-up rivals that of many major urban festivals, Coastal Twist offers something distinctly different: the opportunity to experience outstanding arts and culture while exploring one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal regions.
Spend the morning at the beach, discover local cafés, waterways and national parks, enjoy an afternoon arts event, then dance the night away with artists from across the country, all within a welcoming and laid-back festival atmosphere.
Coastal Twist Festival is proudly supported by Central Coast Council and Create NSW, whose ongoing investment in arts, culture and community development helps make events such as Coastal Twist possible. Their support enables the festival to bring diverse artistic experiences to the region while creating opportunities for local artists, audiences and communities to connect, participate and celebrate.
More than a festival, Coastal Twist is an invitation to discover the Central Coast, connect with community, celebrate diversity and experience a queer cultural getaway where world-class entertainment meets the relaxed beauty of a coastal region.
The 2026 Coastal Twist Festival runs 27 September to 4 October. Tickets are now on sale, with a mix of free and ticketed events available throughout the festival. For more information and full program, visit: www.coastaltwist.org.au for details.
Images: Umina Beach getting ready for the 2026 Coastal Twist Festival – photo by Lisa Haymes Photography | Coastie Carnie Fair Day – photo by Lisa Haymes Photography