The award-winning Wyong Lakes Festival will kick off its nine day program on Saturday and it is guaranteed to entertain, delight and educate.

Once again, Tuggerah Lakes will take centre stage when more than 30 events make a splash from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 November.

The festival program is varied so it doesn’t matter whether your interest is sport or cultural experiences, family or educational activities or just getting out and enjoying the magnificent lakes and catchments, this festival is for you.

Light up the Lake will launch the festival with a five hour lakeside event at Memorial Park, and will be jam-packed with great food, entertainment and lots of free activities. There will be a silent disco, photobooth, glow forest, roving entertainment and so much more.

All eyes will be on the main stage which will feature a line-up of artists including our headline act, Thirsty Merc, kicking off at 4pm and finishing with a spectacular fireworks display over the lake at 9pm.

You can join Central Coast Watercolour Society as they host Painting by the Lake and try to set a world record for the most people painting plein-air on one day at one venue. Pop on down to the Long Jetty Foreshore on Saturday 12 November between 9am and 2pm to see the artists in action, or bring along your brush and take part.

Brunch by the Lake will be held the next morning, Sunday 13 November, where festival goers can indulge in a free breakfast from 10am. There will also be more free activities, a bubble pond and roving entertainment including a special appearance from the stilt lifesavers to enjoy.

Once again all eyes will be on the main stage in Memorial Park for the free music and entertainment including celebrity chef, Courtney Roulston, who we all know from MasterChef.

There will also be a number of other free events in the opening weekend.

If you are feeling energetic, join in the Pedal to Paddle on Sunday 13 or 20 November and enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the southern shore of Tuggerah Lake and learn about the local estuary from the experts. After lunch, you will jump in a kayak and paddle across The Entrance Channel to Terilbah Island and find out what makes it special. All equipment and lunch is provided so make sure you book your spot.

There are still spaces available for the Kayak Tours down Wallarah Creek on Tuesday 15 November and Ourimbah Creek on Thursday 17 November.

A family movie is locked in for Thursday 17 November with an Outdoor Cinema at Colongra Bay Reserve in Lake Munmorah. Pack your picnic rug and bring the family down to foreshore for an outdoor screening of the Karate Kid 2 at 6pm.

The final weekend of celebrations will be just as jam-packed as the opening weekend and it all kicks off on the Friday night with Bands on a Floating Device from 6pm. Bring your picnic rug and dancing shoes and enjoy the live music across the water at MacKenzie Reserve, Budgewoi.

Splash N Dash is one event that shouldn’t be missed with a day of fun water activities on Saturday 19 November on Canton Beach Foreshore from 10am. There will be an atomic drop water slide, inflatable race, nerf wars, and obstacle courses - lots of fun things to do with water involved.

Long Jetty Sunset Cinema will be more than a movie screening on the Long Jetty Foreshore on Saturday 19 November. The fun starts at 5.30pm and includes food stalls, face painting and live music.

The popular Long Jetty Street Festival is back and will take over the Foreshore with a celebration of music, art, food and culture on Sunday 20 November from 11am to 6.30pm. While at the festival, be sure to check out ‘The Big Weave’ - a unique way to celebrate the sustainable lifestyle in and around Long Jetty.

Throughout the week, there are also a number of free educational events with something for everyone from environmental workshops, tours and storytelling at the libraries.

Keep up to date with activities and behind the scenes action during the Festival by following facebook.com/thelakesfestival

For a full program of events, visit wyong.nsw.gov.au/lakesfestival