Coastal Twist is back with more surprises, vibrancy and fun – not to mention some of the biggest headliners to date.

Set across seven days and nights, Coastal Twist takes place a 75-minute drive from Sydney – in Umina Beach, Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach.

“Celebrating diversity in a regional area is so important for the ongoing visibility, morale and growth in our region and communities,” Festival Director Glitta Supernova says.

“We are absolutely delighted to see things opening again, people enjoying the outdoors and having a hoot enjoying the arts and Coastal Twist Festival has it all. We want to encourage all our neighbours to come visit, support local – regional New South Wales needs this as much as you do so it’s a win, win for the Central Coast, for equitable communities, for fun and for celebrations, it’s more than time to smile and enjoy some of the good things in life.”

This year’s festival brings Australian electronic music duo Electric Fields to the Central Coast for the very first time. They combine modern, electronic-soul music with ancient Indigenous culture. Plus, direct from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under’ is Etcetera Etcetera, and internationally-acclaimed puppetry innovators Erth make an appearance too.

Etcetera Etcetera - Image © Peter Hoyle

There’s DJ Jonny Seymour, international circus icon Empress Shah, Melbourne burlesque baddie Ruby Slippers, and a comedy showcase from Kweens Of Comedy. There will be more local and national LGBTQIA+ performing artists and musicians.

This year also sees Coastal Twist expanding on its community programmes, benefitting LGBTQIA+ youth, seniors and all abilities with Auslan across events in accessible spaces. Festival highlights include ‘The Love Club Cabaret’, ‘The Futurismo Surrealist Dance Party’, ‘The Rainbow Youth Teens Dance Party’, and the biggest free community and family-friendly events like the Beach Party Picnic ‘Life’s A Beach’ and the Coast Twist centrepiece ‘Coastie Carnie Fair Day’, the latter featuring all-day entertainment, markets, food, drag story time, and the Pupparazzi Pooch Parade.

Coastal Twist takes place at Umina Beach, Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach (Central Coast NSW) from 27 September-3 October.