Each year in the lead-up to Christmas, Santa gives the reindeer a rest and hops aboard a fire truck to visit our community. Saint Nick and the incredible volunteers of the Coast’s rural fire brigades roll through the suburbs in their big red trucks – sirens whooping, lights flashing – tossing lollies from the windows and wishing families a very merry Christmas as they go.
This year, thanks to the support of our Christmas feature sponsors Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis, we’ve tracked down even more suburbs for you, along with a list of RFB stations hosting Christmas movie nights, Santa photos and community BBQs.
Find your suburb below for details on when Santa's fire truck will be in your area.
As always, please be aware that dates and plans may change without notice in the event of fires and extreme weather. A huge thank you to all the wonderful rural fire brigade volunteers who put on these special Santa days and for your tireless work in keeping us all safe.
WIN a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
Our generous friends at Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis are treating one lucky Playing in Puddles' reader to a $500 Westfield Gift Card! That's your Christmas shopping sorted!
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NSW RFS Community Christmas Parties on the Central Coast
Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade - Photos with Santa
Photos with Santa at the station.
When: Sunday 21st December.
Location: Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Station, 78B Shannon Parade Berkeley Vale.
Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade's Community Christmas Gathering
Santa is visiting Charmhaven Fire Station again this December – and he’s inviting everyone to join him to snap some FREE family photos! Enjoy Christmas movie, dance to Christmas carols, enjoy a free sausage sizzle, festive colouring-in, and a cheerful meet-and-greet with the local crew. Pets on leads are welcome too.
When: Sunday 14 December | Sensory Hour (3–4pm): low lights, no music, fewer people | Party Time (5–7pm): lights, music and festive fun.
Location: Charmhaven Fire Brigade, Parkside Drive, Charmhaven.
Gwandalan Summerland Rural Fire Brigade's Christmas Party
Santa’s swinging by Gwandalan Summerland Rural Fire Brigade for a fun, festive community night the whole family will love.
Kids can snap a selfie with Santa, enjoy a BBQ, grab an ice cream and settle in for a Christmas movie with the local crew. A sweet, relaxed Christmas outing for families.
When: Saturday 20 December, 5.30pm–8.30pm.
Where: Gwandalan-Summerland Point Rural Fire Station, Kanangra Drive, Gwandalan.
Mannering Park Rural Fire Brigade's Santa Party
Santa is dropping into Mannering Park Rural Fire Brigade for a festive evening packed with Christmas charm.
Families can meet Santa, snap photos with him and the fire truck, enjoy the station’s Christmas lights, and tuck into treats from food and ice cream vendors. They’re also hoping to have a jumping castle – keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
When: Evening of Sunday 21 December (times to be confirmed on the day).
Where: Mannering Park Rural Fire Brigade Station, 16 Cheryl St, Mannering Park.
Warnervale Rural Fire Brigade's Santa Evening
Santa’s stopping in at Warnervale Rural Fire Brigade for a festive afternoon at the station – perfect for little fire-truck fans.
Families can enjoy free Santa photos, hop inside the fire truck for a look around and grab a sausage sandwich while you’re there. A simple, cheerful local Christmas outing.
When: Thursday 18 December, 2pm–7.30pm.
Where: Warnervale Rural Fire Brigade Station.
Suburbs Santa Will Visit by Fire Truck This Christmas
Here's the list of Central Coast suburbs (in alphabetical oder) that will be getting a drive by with Santa on the fire truck this Christmas. Can't find your suburb? Please note that some Rural Fire Brigade's are still confirming dates and locations for their truck runs.
Please remember this is all put on by wonderful volunteers: if your suburb isn't listed, we recommend you head to a friend's house in a neighbouring suburb or visit one of the Station's Christmas parties – outlined above.
NOTE: Narara RFB has announced their dates, but not yet their suburbs. Once we have that information, we'll include them below, too.
❤︎ Are you part of a rural fire station that's doing runs that we've missed? Please send us an email with your Santa routes and we'll be sure to include you: [email protected]
Need a Little Financial Firepower?
From fire-truck sirens to mortgage talk, Coast mums juggle it all – and so does the local team at Mortgage Choice Central Coast Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis. Between them, this wonderful team has 12 kids and more than 50+ years of combined finance experience. They get family life, they get the juggle, and they know how to find solutions that actually work for real households (and real Christmas chaos).
Chat to the team today to make your finances sparkle brighter than Santa’s truck.
And because they’re all about making Christmas a little easier, we’ve teamed up with Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis to give one lucky reader a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
Scroll to the end of this feature to enter.
AVOCA BEACH | 21st December. Click here for more details from Avoca Beach Rural Fire Brigade
BERKELEY VALE | You've got two brigades visiting you! On Friday 5th & Saturday 6 December it'll be the Berkeley Vale RFB (Follow Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates) and on Sunday 14th December from 12.30pm (up to Kingsford Smith Drive) it'll be the Tuggerah RFB (a link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking: visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day).
On 4 December, the Berkeley Vale RFB will also be attending the Christmas Family Event at Bunnings Tuggerah (6pm-6.30pm) and the Berkeley Public School Carols. Follow Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
BENSVILLE | 11th December. Follow the Empire Bay Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
BLUE HAVEN | Saturday 6th December. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
BUFF POINT | Sunday 30th November. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
CANTON BEACH | Saturday 29th November Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
CHARMHAVEN | 24th December. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates. Plus, Santa is visiting Charmhaven Fire Station again this December – and he’s inviting everyone to join him to snap some FREE family photos! Enjoy Christmas movie, dance to Christmas carols, enjoy a free sausage sizzle, festive colouring-in, and a cheerful meet-and-greet with the local crew. Pets on leads are welcome too. When: Sunday 14 December | Sensory Hour (3–4pm) low lights, no music, fewer people | Party Time (5–7pm) lights, music and festive fun. Location: Charmhaven Fire Brigade, Parkside Drive, Charmhaven. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
CHITTAWAY BAY | December 14th from 12.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
CHITTAWAY POINT | Tuesday 9th December from 4.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
COPACABANA | 24th December - 3pm-5pm. Their write up on this wonderful tradition is so lovely and heartfelt, we just had to include it here for you all to see:
The Copacabana Rural Fire Brigade is proud to continue our most cherished legacy: the annual Santa Run! For over half a century, our volunteers have had the distinct honour of escorting Santa Claus through our beautiful streets on Christmas Eve, bringing joy to generations of locals.
Listen for the Signal Keep your ears open! As per tradition, the sounding of the historic station air siren will echo through the town to mark the official start of the Santa Run. When you hear that siren, you know the trucks are rolling and Santa is on his way!
We invite all residents—young and old—to come out to their driveways, wave to our volunteers, and welcome Santa. We simply can’t wait to see your smiling faces and celebrate another Christmas Eve with this wonderful community.
Visit the Copacabana Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
DOYALSON | Sunday 30th November. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
DOYALSON NORTH - MACQUARIE SHORES HOME VILLAGE |24th December. Plus, meet Santa at The Station (16 Cheryl St, Mannering Park) on the evening of 22nd December. View the Mannering Park Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
EMPIRE BAY | 13th December. Follow the Empire Bay Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
THE ENTRANCE | Saturday 13th December. This is put on by Berkeley Vale RFB and FRNSW 460 The Entrance. Follow Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
ERINA | 24th December, 2pm-7pm. Visit the Erina Rural Fire Brigade for more details.
FOUNTAINDALE |Tuesday 9th December from 4.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
GLENNING VALLEY | Friday 19th December from 4.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
GOROKAN | Saturday 13th December. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
GOROKOAN SOUTH | Thursday 18th December – from 6.30pm. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
GREEN POINT | 24th December, 2pm-7pm. Visit the Erina Rural Fire Brigade for more details.
GWANDALAN | The Gwandalan-Summerland Point Rural Fire Brigade get involved and host a heap of festive cheer throughout December.
+ Saturday 13 December: Carols by the Lake at Gwandalan Bowling Club with Santa visiting on the fire truck.
+ Saturday 20 December, 5.30pm–8.30pm: Santa’s swinging by Gwandalan Summerland Rural Fire Brigade for a fun, festive community night the whole family will love. Kids can snap a selfie with Santa, enjoy a BBQ, grab an ice cream and settle in for a Christmas movie with the local crew. A sweet, relaxed Christmas outing for families.
+ 24 December: Santa run throughout the area.
+ Christmas Eve night – approximately 7.30-8pm: Santa's runway at Bellbrae (watch him take off!)
Contact the Gwandalan - Summerland Point Rural Fire Brigade for more details.
HAMLYN TERRACE | 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st and 23rd December. There's a map of the streets they'll cover on their Facebook page. Check out the Warnervale Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
JILLIBY | Wednesday 24th December. There's a map of the streets they'll cover on their Facebook page. Check out the Warnervale Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
KANGY ANGY |Tuesday 16th December from 4.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
KANWAL |Tuesday 11th and 16th December – from 6.30pm. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
KILLARNEY VALE | Saturday 13th December. This is put on by Wyong Catering and Berkeley Vale RFB and FRNSW 460 The Entrance. Follow Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
KOOINDAH WATERS |Saturday 6th December – from 9.30am. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
KINCUMBER | Tuesday 23rd December: 2p-6pm. Visit the Copacabana Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
LAKE HAVEN | 12th December. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
LONG JETTY | Saturday 13th December. This is put on by Berkeley Vale RFB and FRNSW 460 The Entrance. Follow Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
MANNERING PARK | 24th December. Plus, meet Santa at The Station (16 Cheryl St, Mannering Park) on the evening of 21st December. View the Mannering Park Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates – they will provide times on the day.
MACQUARIE SHORES | 24th December. View the Mannering Park Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates – they will provide times on the day.
MARDI (Woodbury Park Estate)| Sunday 7th December from 12.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
MARDI (Rural) | Thursday 11th December from 4.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
NORAH HEAD | Saturday 6th December – from 11.30am. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
NORAVILLE | Saturday 29th November. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
SAN REMO | Sunday 7th December. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
SHELLY BEACH | Saturday 13th December. This is put on by Berkeley Vale RFB and FRNSW 460 The Entrance. Follow Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
SPRINGFIELD | 24th December, 2pm-7pm. Visit the Erina Rural Fire Brigade for more details.
ST HUBERTS ISLAND | 12th December. Follow the Empire Bay Rural Fire Brigade's Facebook page for updates.
SUMMERLAND POINT | The Gwandalan-Summerland Point Rural Fire Brigade get involved and host a heap of festive cheer throughout December.
+ Saturday 13 December: Carols by the Lake at Gwandalan Bowling Club with Santa visiting on the fire truck.
+ Saturday 20 December, 5.30pm–8.30pm: Santa’s swinging by Gwandalan Summerland Rural Fire Brigade for a fun, festive community night the whole family will love. Kids can snap a selfie with Santa, enjoy a BBQ, grab an ice cream and settle in for a Christmas movie with the local crew. A sweet, relaxed Christmas outing for families.
+ 24 December: Santa run throughout the area.
+ Christmas Eve night – approximately 7.30-8pm: Santa's runway at Bellbrae (watch him take off!)
Contact the Gwandalan - Summerland Point Rural Fire Brigade for more details.
TACOMA | Thursday 4th December – from 7.30pm. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
TACOMA SOUTH | Thursday 11th December from 4.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
TERRIGAL | 24th December, 2pm-7pm. Visit the Erina Rural Fire Brigade for more details.
TOUKLEY | Saturday 29th November. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
TUGGERAWONG |Thursday 4th December – from 6.30pm. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
TUGGERAH | Tuesday 16th December from 4.30pm. A link will be provided on their Facebook each day for tracking. Visit the Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade for more details and to follow their Santa tracker on the day.
WADALBA | Saturday 20th December – from 9.30am. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
WARNERVALE | Tuesday 9th December. There's a map of the streets they'll cover on their Facebook page. Check out the Warnervale Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates. As well as their Santa run, the Warnervale Rural Fire Brigade is this year hosting a Santa day at the station on Thursday 18 December (2pm-7.30pm). Come along for free Santa photos, explore the fire truck and grab a sausage sandwich.
WATANOBBI | Tuesday 9th December – from 6.30pm. Visit the Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade for updates and to see maps of where they will drive.
WOONGARAH NORTH (Northern side of Mataram Road, Mackillop Estate, Woongarrah Road area) | Saturday 20th December. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
WOONGARAH SOUTH (Southern side of Mataram Road) | 24th December. They will post a glimpse tracker on their Facebook page on the day. Visit the Charmhaven Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page for updates.
WYONGAH |Tuesday 2nd December – from 6.30pm. Click here for updates from Wadalba Rural Fire Brigade and visit their Facebook page for a map.
Can't find your suburb? We recommend you head to a friend's house in a neighbouring suburb to meet the volunteers there or visit one of the Station's Christmas parties – outlined above.
NOTE: Narara RFB has announced their dates, but not yet their suburbs. Once we have that information, we'll include them above, too.
Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who put on these special Santa days and for your tireless work in keeping us all safe throughout the year.
❤︎ Are you part of a rural fire station we've missed? Please send us an email with your Santa routes and we'll be sure to include you: [email protected]
WIN a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
This competition is now closed.
Congratulations to Sarah Dibdin for winning!
Want to win a $500 Westfield Gift Card! Of course you do!
Buying a tree, juggling presents, planning holidays – December can send any family budget spinning. That’s where Nicole Wickham and Alisha Spanidis from Mortgage Choice Central Coast come in. This team of local mums understands real life (and real Christmas chaos), and they bring decades of finance experience to helping Central Coast families find practical, stress-free financial solutions that actually fit.
Chat to the team today and get your budget back on track.
And because they’re all about making Christmas a little easier, we’ve teamed up with Mortgage Choice Central Coast – Nicole Wickham & Alisha Spanidis to give one lucky reader a $500 Westfield Gift Card!
To enter, simply subscribe to our free newsletter by popping your details in below*. Already subscribed? Just add your details again so we know you want in on this fabulous comp.
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Written By: KATIE STOKES
Founder & Editor
After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.
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