Coming together at Speers Point Park over one big weekend is the Living Smart and Living Together festivals — celebrating sustainable living and multiculturalism in the community. 

Kicking off with the Living Smart Festival on Saturday September 16, the family-friendly event features a big lineup of sustainability activities to get involved in all day. 

Following on Sunday September 17 is the Living Together Festival which is all about celebrating the city’s cultural diversity with a jam-packed program of free events. 

Living Smart Festival

Held on the traditional lands of the Awabakal People, the Living Smart Festival is one of Australia’s largest community sustainability events, bringing together an impressive lineup of sustainability workshops, demonstrations, and speakers, featuring some of Australia’s most prominent and innovative personalities in the field of sustainability, including Logie Award-winning presenter, comedian and waste warrior, Craig Reucassel.

The festival is on a mission to encourage people to learn about and embrace everyday sustainability practices.

Some of the highlights include:

- Craig Reucassel will bring his War on Waste message to Lake Mac as he headlines the Living Smart Festival this year. 
- Yoga in the Park, free 9am class presented by Yogic Wisdom
- Native Plant Giveaways
- Tent of Big Ideas, featuring a series of panel talks from innovative thinkers, creators, and change makers
- First Nations Zone, a zone dedicated to First Nations teachings and hands-on activities
- Grow Zone, features a mix of gardening workshops
- Nature Zone, learn all about the fascinating and precious flora and fauna of Lake Macquarie
- The Kids Zone, supported by The Greater Bank
- Eat Zone, get some kitchen inspiration with sweet, sustainable creations being served up all day long
- Upcycle Zone, turn trash into treasure with hands-on upcycling activities for the whole family
- Electric Vehicles, check out the latest electric vehicles on offer, with a range of electric cars and bikes on display
- Entertainment, will be covered at the MAP mima music stage
- Market Stalls, shop all things handmade, eco-focused or designed locally.

As the sun sets, Living Smart Festival evolves into a Feast for the Senses. This year’s event has joined forces with Oz Harvest with the evening giving you the chance to relax, dine, and dance under the stars, with all of the taste and none of the waste. For more events and activities visit Living Smart Festival - Lake Macquarie Council. 

Living Together Festival

Return to Lake Mac on Sunday September 17 for the Living Together Festival, which is all about connecting and celebrating multiculturalism in our community.

Featuring workshops, demonstrations, market stalls, world music, international cooking classes, global gardens, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and language sessions, this free event is one for the whole family to experience. Some of the highlights include:

- Tent of Big Dreams, making its debut, Tent of Big Dreams is a beautiful space dedicated to sharing stories and languages from around the world. Hear stories in Hebrew, Swedish, Portuguese and Spanish
- A First Nations Zone, dedicated to teachings and hands-on activities of First Nations people
- Mindfulness Zone, inspired by practices found around the world. Learn tai chi, meditation and yoga practices
- Rhythm Zone, check out the drop-in sessions by Earthen Rhythm - drumming workshops 
- Kids Zone, featuring a nature play area, face painting, and arts and craft station
- Eat Zone, explore flavours from around the world and travel the globe through food with international cooking classes
- World Stages, celebrates the city’s multicultural community members through music, song, and dance via two stages throughout the day.

Leave the car at home and arrive in style thanks to the festival’s free valet service for your bike, scooter and even your kayak!

For more events and activities, visit Living Together Festival - Lake Macquarie Council.

A special thanks goes out to the Living Together and Living Smart Festival event sponsors: NSW Government, Allambi Care, Greater Bank, Hunter Resource Recovery, and The University of Newcastle.