Coastal Twist Festival

25/03/2026

🥀 Gosford Death Conversation
A relaxed LGBTQ+ community chat about death, dying, and breaking the taboo together in a safe, welcoming space.

🏳️‍🌈 Who’s it for?
LGBTQ+ adults and People Living with HIV who want to talk, listen, or learn. It’s not a counselling or grief session — just open conversation.

⚱️ What happens

Honest discussion about death and end‑of‑life

Space to share or simply listen

Voices from community members working in the death sector

All conversations are held with confidentiality, respect, and compassion.

⚰️ Limited spots.
Questions? Contact Zoe Hinton — 02 9206 2126 | [email protected]
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
https://funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on/gosford-death-conversation/

21/03/2026

Central Coast’s LGBTQ+ festival and venue latest targets in Meta ban:
https://qnews.com.au/central-coasts-lgbtq-festival-and-venue-latests-target-in-meta-ban/

Algorithms shouldn't decide how we connect. > We’re reclaiming our narrative and protecting our creative work. While we’ll still post here, our focus is shifting to a direct, un-filtered connection with you. Don’t leave it to a feed—join our inner circle.

Subscribe to the Bush Telegraph: funhausfactory.com.au/subscribe

19/03/2026

🥀 Gosford Death Conversation — An LGBTQ+ Community Discussion
Death is something we all face, yet it’s rarely talked about. This relaxed, welcoming session invites LGBTQ+ people to openly explore thoughts about death and dying, break the taboo, and share in a supportive space.

🏳️‍🌈 Who’s it for?
LGBTQ+ adults and People Living with HIV who want to talk, listen, or learn. This is not a grief or counselling workshop — just an open community conversation.

⚱️ What to expect

Honest, thoughtful discussion about death and end‑of‑life

A safe space to share experiences or simply listen

Insights from LGBTQ+ people working in the death sector

All conversations are held with confidentiality, respect, and compassion.

⚰️ Limited spots available.
Questions? Contact Zoe Hinton — ph: 02 9206 2126 | e: [email protected]

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL https://funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on/gosford-death-conversation/

07/03/2026

Q***R ARTIST CALLOUT 🎨 Design the Face of Coastal Twist 2026 🌈

Coastal Twist Festival is calling q***r artists — emerging, established or anywhere in between — to create the official poster artwork for the 2026 festival.

Each year we commission a q***r artist to reinterpret our mascot, the Rainbow Lorikeet, bringing the festival theme to life and supporting LGBTQIA+ creative voices.

✨ 2026 Theme: RADICAL RADIANCE
Joy as Resistance. Visibility as Power.

Think bold, graphic and iconic — artwork that could shine on posters, merch and street flags.
➡️ Scroll through previous Poster designs for inspo.

🏆 Selected artist receives:
$1,000 artist fee + a full festival pass

🗓 Entries close 25 March 2026

📩 Submit:
• your concept or sketch
• examples of your work/style
• social links / artist bio info

Send to [email protected]

💥 Each year we collaborate with a q***r artist to create the visual identity of the festival — will you be next?

***rartist

07/03/2026

So proud of our local Coastie Float, you'all did so well Thankyou for the good vibes xoxo

Read all about the float at Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras in this weeks Central Coast Newspapers

The Coastal Twist Festival took part in the Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras parade for the seventh year on February 28. Born from a protest march in

24/02/2026

🌈 CENTRAL COAST — YOUR MARDI GRAS PARTY IS BACK! 🌈 Saturday 28th Feb from 6pm

Can’t make it to Oxford Street? We’re bringing the parade home — LIVE on the big screen at FunHaus Factory!
Join us for the official Central Coast Mardi Gras Viewing Party, broadcasting the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade straight from Oxford Street AND cheering on the Coastal Twist Festival float as it represents the Coast with pride.

✨ What’s happening:
• Full parade livestream on our massive screen
• A bangin’ soundtrack to kick off the night
• Drag performances by Khandi K Loudly, Anita Drink & Luka Bahllz
• A warm, welcoming space for EVERYONE
• Comfy seating for our fabulous foxy silvers
This is your local Mardi Gras celebration — full of colour, community, and connection. If you believe in equality, inclusion, and joy, this night is for you.

🍹 Important:
NO BYO — we’ve got you covered with a bar, nibbles, and delicious food made with love, plus the best local drinks.
FunHaus Factory is a safe space with zero tolerance for anything less than respect and acceptance.
🌈 Come together. Celebrate pride. Cheer loud.
Let’s make this a Mardi Gras the Coast won’t forget!

https://funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on/mardi-gras/

19/02/2026

😮 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗕𝗡 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀? 🤯

Our coasties are getting ready for the Annual Coastal Twist Mardi Gras Parade, happening on the 28th of February with our own Coastal Twist Festival Float, featuring costumes, decorations and lots of flair 🌈

Want to support our Coasties but can't make it to Sydney this year? No problem! Come cheer everyone on in the comfort of good ol Gossie - a live watch party will be taking place at The FunHaus Factory's Gosford Arts Centre! 🥳
Check out more details:
https://funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on/mardi-gras/

19/02/2026

𝗚𝗼𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🖤 An LGBTQIA+ Community Discussion 🌈
📅 𝘚𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺 28𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 | ⏰ 9𝘢𝘮 | 📍𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘏𝘢𝘶𝘴 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺'𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦

Let’s break the taboo. Join us for a relaxed, respectful conversation about death, dying and end-of-life in a safe, welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ people (18+) and PLHIV.

Share your thoughts, ask questions, listen, connect. Plus morning tea, creativity and meaningful conversation. Confidential, compassionate and open to all.

💸 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
https://funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on/gosford-death-conversation/

18/01/2026

Our first costume workshop is DONE and honestly… we’re obsessed!!! ☂️✨

Costume making is officially in full swing with the Coastal Twist Festival float crew as we prepare for the 2026 Sydney Mardi Gras parade! Everyone came together to decorate, glam up the details and start getting our props ready for parade day. The room was full of laughs, helping hands and that kind of community spirit that reminds you why we do this 💖🌈

Quick heads up: you only need to come to one costume workshop to collect and put your costume pieces together, plus the full dress rehearsal.

Tickets are still available but moving fast. Get yours before it’s too late: https://coastaltwist.org.au/whats-on/mardi-gras-float-2026/

Next Costume Workshop: Sunday 25 January, 10am–12pm
124 Donnison Street, Gosford 2250

Other Costume Workshop dates (10am–12pm):
Sunday 1 February
Saturday 7 February
Sunday 15 February

Full Dress Rehearsal and Media Day: Sunday 22 February, 10am–11am 📸
Parade Day: Saturday 28 February, 1pm–11pm, Sydney 🌈

12/01/2026

🌈✨ Our Mardi Gras Float Workshops Have Officially Begun! ✨🌈

Yesterday we kicked off Mardi Gras season with our Central Coast Float Open Day as we prepare to roll our 2026 parade entry —💧🌈 IT’S RAINING THEY / THEM — down Oxford Street!

This year we’re celebrating gender diversity, affirming pronoun use & radical self-expression with a float that is:
🌟 Bright
🌟 Playful
🌟 Inclusive
🌟 Joy-filled

Welcoming everyone across the whole gender spectrum — including cis & trans people, non-binary & gender diverse folks, those still exploring who they are, and of course all LGBTQIA+ allies 💖

🎟 Only 20 spots remain — secure yours now:
https://coastaltwist.org.au/whats-on/mardi-gras-float-2026/

You only need to attend one workshop to collect & assemble your costume items — plus the dress rehearsal.

🎨 Costume Workshops (10am – 12pm)
• Saturday 17 January
• Sunday 25 January
• Sunday 1 February
• Saturday 7 February
• Sunday 15 February

📸 Full Dress Rehearsal & Media Day
Sunday 22 February | 10am – 11am
🎉 Parade Day
Saturday 28 February | 1pm – 11pm | Sydney

👉 Register here:
https://facebook.com/events/s/2026-sydney-mardi-gras-coastal/1374423464333340/

12/01/2026

Our Mardi Gras Float workshops have begun.

Today we kicked off the Mardi Gras Season with our Central Coasts float open day as we prepare to take our 2026 parade entry, IT’S RAINING THEY / THEM, to Oxford Street.

This year we are celebrating gender diversity and affirming pronoun use with a float that is bright & playful and welcomes everyone across the whole gender spectrum, including cis and trans people, non-binary and gender diverse folks, those still exploring who they are and of course all LGBTQIA allies.

ONLY 20 spots remain so secure yours today:
https://coastaltwist.org.au/whats-on/mardi-gras-float-2026/
You only need to attend one workshop to collect and assemble your costume items as well as the dress rehearsal.
Costume Workshops (all 10 – 12 pm)
• Saturday, January 17th
• Sunday, January 25th
• Sunday, February 1st
• Saturday, February 7th
• Sunday, February 15th
Full Dress Rehearsal & Media Day: Sunday, 22nd February, 10 am – 11 am
Parade Day: Saturday, 28 February, 1 pm – 11 pm (Sydney)
https://facebook.com/events/s/2026-sydney-mardi-gras-coastal/1374423464333340/