Header image: Ben Hunt
Clear the calendar for 16–18 October, because Gossy Weekender is coming back to Gosford for three days of live music, arts and culture – plus a pretty major new addition for 2026.
Now in its third year, this brilliant Central Coast festival is spreading out across the Gosford CBD, with gigs and performances taking over local venues and public spaces right across the weekend.
The lineup is officially out there, and to say we’re pumped is an understatement! While program & set times are still under wraps, there’s plenty worth saving the date for.
What’s happening across the Central Coast
Gossy Weekender set to rock Gosford for three unmissable days
If you’ve been before, you’ll know Gossy Weekender brings Gosford to life – there’s that happy buzz that happens when the Coast turns up for something. For 2026, organisers are promising the festival’s biggest year yet, and we gotta say – so far, they’re delivering!
Consider this your early heads-up to keep that weekend free.
Gossy Weekender 2026 lineup
The Gossy Weekender 2026 lineup is officially here, with 40+ artists set to perform across the three-day festival.
Leading the charge are:
- Beddy Rays
- Velvet Trip
- Odette
- REDD.
Alongside Charlie Needs Braces, Mac the Knife, TooLa, Dom Diaz, Axle Whitehead, Arabella Romi, Butterknife, Red Roy, Jess Humphries, Ruby Shay, Katherine Vavahea and Axel Starviking plus loads more.
SO many big names, this weekend is going to be such a vibe!
The set times haven’t been released yet, but what we can tell you is that there will be 40+ artists playing across 16 venues in Gosford from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October 2026.
The program will bring together touring acts, emerging artists and homegrown Central Coast musicians, at some of our fave Gossy businesses – Hotel Gosford, Bay Road Brewing, Railway Hotel, Pinocchios, South End Social, Big Little Brewing, The Good Bits Co, the Sailing Club, the Conservatorium of Music and Funhaus Factory, alongside bigger public spaces like Kibble Park, Gosford Library and polytec Stadium.
Coasties – you really, really don’t want to miss this.
The atmosphere in previous years has been absolutely electric – full venues, streets buzzing and live music everywhere you turn. It’s a brilliant chance to catch some great acts, explore Gossy and be part of one of those weekends where the whole place feels connected.
Behind the scenes with Curtain Bounce
Family-friendly street festival in Gosford
The big newcomer for 2026 is Live on Donnison Street, and as parents, this really caught our attention.
From 12pm–6pm on Saturday 17 October, Donnison Street between Mann Street and Henry Parry Drive will close to traffic and become one big free, all-ages street festival, spilling through Donnison Street, Kibble Park and Gosford Regional Library.
And there’ll be a lot going on. Live music and entertainment across multiple stages, cultural performances, creative workshops, games, interactive activities, market stalls, food vendors… basically, plenty to keep everyone occupied for an arvo.
If you reckon taking kids to a music festival belongs in the too-hard basket, Gossy Weekender is here to change your mind. This one’s different, with heaps happening for younger Coasties too – so parents, we can catch some live music without relying entirely on snacks and screen time to get through it!
The free daytime program is also a really easy way to dip into Gossy Weekender if a full weekend of venue-hopping isn’t quite your thing. Head into town for a few hours, see what’s happening, grab something to eat and let the kids get amongst it.
3 Days, 40+ Artists, 16 Venues… get ready for the biggest Gossy Weekender yet
The festival has grown enormously since its beginnings, and 2026 is set to be its biggest year yet.
Festival Director Lou Sawilejskij says the new street activation takes Gossy Weekender’s original idea – bringing people into Gosford to discover live music while supporting local venues and businesses – another step further.
“We’re literally taking over the street and creating a huge, free celebration in the middle of the city. It’s about making Gossy Weekender highly visible and accessible to everyone – families, young people, music fans, locals and visitors – while showcasing what Gosford can be when we put music, culture and community at the centre of the city.”
It also arrives while Gosford is being trialled as the Central Coast’s first Special Entertainment Precinct, as the city continues to build its live music and night-time offering.
For locals, though, the appeal is pretty simple: three days of good music and more reasons to support local.
Gossy Weekender 2026
When: Friday 16 – Sunday 18 October 2026
Where: Gosford CBD, Darkinjung Country
Live on Donnison Street
When: Saturday 17 October, 12pm–6pm
Where: Donnison Street, Kibble Park and Gosford Regional Library
Free, all ages
The Gossy Weekender 2026 lineup and participating venues are now out, with the full program and set times still to come. Save the dates and we’ll keep you posted as more drops.
Gossy Weekender 2024
Get ready, Central Coast! The highly anticipated Gossy Weekender is coming. Building on the success of the Tubular Festival’s debut last year, this three-day live music explosion will transform Gosford into a buzzing entertainment hub with 80+ artists performing across 20 venues. And, it’s all happening very soon – from Friday, November 1st to Sunday, November 3rd, 2024.
Festival producers Tubular Festival, which falls under the umbrella of Central Coast Music and Arts Inc., are beyond proud that this exciting festival marks the next step in a strategic evolution, driven by key projects like the NSW Government’s 24-hour economy, which has seen Gosford recognised as an approved Live Music Precinct. Something we can all get behind and support, and yet another feather in Gosford’s growing cap.
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Kicking off with a bang, indie sensation The Jungle Giants will headline the marquee event at Drifters Wharf on Friday, November 1st, joined by The Moving Stills and local love, Elaskia. Festivalgoers can also catch performances from Death By Denim, Molly Millington, Ruby Archer (two uber-talented Coasties), Mia Lovelock, and True Vibe Sound System, along with a wealth of emerging and local talent spread throughout the precinct.
So, whether you’re into indie rock, electronic beats, or just looking for some pretty bloody epic free performances, Gossy Weekender has you covered with a lineup catering to all tastes and age groups. With music and good vibes scattered across venues all over Gosford including Drifters Wharf, Hotel Gosford, Fun Haus Factory, Big Little Brewing, Bay Rd Brewing, Gosford Anglican Church, Mann St Laneway and more this festival promises to bring the good vibes.
Welcome to Gossy!
We are pretty excited about their Live and Local initiative which will spotlight homegrown artists in a series of special showcases on the Friday and Saturday (November 1st and 2nd), celebrating the diverse talent of the Central Coast music scene. Including legends like Joel Leggett, Chelsea Berman, Tiali
The best news is that families can dive into the action at Kibble Park because Gossy Weekender is a family-friendly festival. Live acts like Vegetable Plot and Punk Rock Silly Billies will take the stage. There’ll be kids’ activities, markets, and an energetic outdoor atmosphere that promises a lively space for everyone to enjoy.
Don’t miss out – mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates at @coastiesmag and over at Gossy Weekender’s online home.
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