We’re inviting you to help bring 2026 Harvest Festival and our very first Harvest Nights to life. Be part of something special as we showcase our beautiful hinterland during the day, and after dark, with our inaugural Harvest Nights!

Harvest Festival is presented by Central Coast Council over the June long weekend. In 2025 over 68,000 people came out to enjoy the Coast’s beautiful hinterland, with over $8 million flowing into the local economy.

This event is made possible through the unique experiences, tours and events offered by our community at each of our event hubs. 

Submit your interest in joining 2026 Harvest Festival and Harvest Nights

• Click here for the traditional Harvest Festival EOI (non-funded)
• Click here for the Harvest Nights EOI (funded opportunity)

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 2pm, Friday 22 September 2025.

Bring your ideas to light

We’re excited to announce that this year we are introducing a new funded component to the Expression of Interest, called Harvest Nights. This funding opportunity is available for events held in the evening during the Harvest Festival weekend.

Our aim is to curate a diverse and engaging program for the 2026 Harvest Festival and Harvest Nights, showcasing a wide variety of activities for both locals and visitors. We welcome creative, inclusive, and innovative ideas that celebrate the spirit of the festival and enhance the evening experience.

This is a great opportunity to create your own event hub that showcases the hinterland environment, Indigenous and cultural heritage, local produce, industry, arts and culture.

If you’re a local farmer, business, organisation, creative or community group based in the hinterland or planning to host an activity there, we encourage you to join us at the 2026 Harvest Festival and/or Harvest Nights!

Not sure how to get involved? Event hub experiences or ideas might include:

• farm open days, tours or talks
• pick your own produce
• Indigenous cultural experiences/ bush tucker tours
• art events / installations
• live music and entertainment events
• obstacle course races or fun runs
• lighting trails and projections
• degustation dinners
• live music in the orchards
• lantern walks and storytelling trails
• night markets
• stargazing and astronomy nights – telescopic tours of the night sky led by expert guides
• outdoor cinema on the farm
• evening workshops – creative sessions including candle-making, night photography, and moonlit yoga

Harvest Nights funding available

To help make Harvest Nights shine bright, grants of up to $5,000 are available for evening events, activities and activations. Harvest Nights is your chance to shine! You can apply for a grant in the Harvest Nights EOI.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity - join us in celebrating our vibrant region!

Expressions of Interest to participate in the 2026 Harvest Festival must be submitted by 2pm, Friday 22 September 2025