October's a good month to be on the Coast. School holidays run 28 September to 9 October, the Labour Day long weekend falls on Monday 5 October, and there's more on than usual.
The long weekend: Bouddi Peninsula Arts Trail
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, more than twenty artists across the Bouddi Peninsula open their studios to the public — Killcare, Killcare Heights, Hardys Bay, Pretty Beach and around. It's free and self-guided: follow the red flags, see where painters, potters, weavers and jewellers actually work, and buy straight from the person who made it. The drive in is one of the prettiest on the Coast, too.
Music under the trees at Pearl Beach
Saturday 10 October, Music in the Arboretum marks 50 years of 1976 — a five-piece band working through the year's records across an afternoon in the Pearl Beach Arboretum. Ticketed; bring a chair, a rug and a picnic. Pearl Beach is back on the calendar two weeks later for the Food and Wine Fare, Saturday 24 October, 10am to 4pm.
Gossy Weekender
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October, live music and art across Gosford's venues — three days in the CBD.
ChromeFest
Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October, ChromeFest takes over Memorial Park at The Entrance — classic cars, a street cruise, market stalls, live music across the park.
October's markets
- Pearl Beach Spring Fair — Saturday 3 October, 9am to 2pm, on the long weekend
- Mangrove Mountain Farmers & Artisans Market — Sunday 4 October, 9am to 2pm, a change of pace up in the hinterland
- Terrigal Farmers Market — every Friday, 3:30 to 5pm, Rotary Park
- Central Coast Farmers Market — every Sunday, 7am to noon, Gosford Showground, rain or shine
- Avoca Beachside Markets — Sunday 25 October, Heazlett Park, the same day as ChromeFest's last day
