A festival described as “what might happen if Vivid and Dark Mofo had a love child” once again lit up Gosford’s Edogawa Japanese Garden in April, as the FunHaus Factory’s Origami Folding Light and Sound Festival celebrated its third year.
The Gardens were utterly transformed in a night that blended avant-garde fashion, electrifying live music, and large-scale interactive art.
It is perhaps Australia’s most enchanting evening garden party.
Towering trees and delicate structures were illuminated with next-level light projections, creating an atmosphere that would not look out of place in Tokyo or New York.
The evening opened with a surreal fashion parade at sunset before the energy lifted, with artists like Putrika and Marcus Whale taking to the stage against a dreamlike backdrop of colour, sound, and sculpture.
Attendees spoke of “immense joy,” “reinvigoration,” and a strong sense of “regional pride” flowing through the crowd.
Festival Director Glitta Supernova said bringing such an ambitious event to Gosford, with little funding or external support, was a huge undertaking.
“Cohesion, night-time economies, safe spaces, and multigenerational activity do not just happen, she said
“We’re building something meaningful and intimate-something that lingers and helps build a better future for our Coastie community, one beautiful event at a time.
This year saw a 33 per cent increase in audience capacity from the first Origami festival, with the 2025 event once again selling out.
About 27 per cent of attendees travelled from outside the Central Coast, adding a boost to the local economy.
One reveller, Karin from Sydney, said, “This is my third year, I brought a gang of friends,
“We rented a few Airbnbs, this has become our annual ritual.
Origami’s growing reputation was recognised last year when it became the pride of the Central Coast when it won a Business NSW State Award, taking out ‘Most Outstanding 24-Hour Economy Collaboration’ for its fearless fusion of culture, nightlife, and connection.
The reputation of the event has helped highlight Gosford as a vibrant, creative zone.
Several other regional locations have reportedly requested that the show be brought to their areas.
Event Director Glitta speaks warmly of Origami as a soft rebellion in a hard world, about trying new things, honouring original concepts in music and art, and elevating pride in our neighbourhoods.
She may be right, events like Oragmi, with their professionalism, fun and creativity, are an antidote to the uncertainty of our world.
It is most certainly an annual event that the whole region can be proud of.
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