The huge fireworks show will be visible from both sides of the lake.

This year, the Lake Mac Festival weekend activities will be spread across the city, with Saturday's fun day at Thomas H Halton Park, at Croudace Bay, billed as the main event.

Kicking off at 7.30am, it will feature a free barbecue breakfast, family games, live music and a performance by children's group Little Scallywagz.

Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said local charities, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, had been engaged to provide the breakfast.

"This is set to be a fantastic community event," Cr Fraser said.

"It's also an opportunity to show our appreciation for the incredible work the RFS and other organisations do for us year-round."

Saturday night's Big Bang will see four lakeside locations come to life with live music, food and entertainment.

Live-sites will operate at Swansea, Pelican and Rathmines from 4pm, and at Wangi Wangi from 5pm, counting down to a 9pm fireworks display launched from a barge in the middle of the lake.

Fireworks Factory pyrotechnician Chris Solomou said the display would include new effects never before seen in the Hunter.

"The display has been designed specifically for a barge over the water, with a number of fan effects to give a wider spread of colour," Mr Solomou said.

"The largest shells used are 150mm in diameter, which burst 200m in the air and have a burst radius of about 70m."

The four Big Bang live-sites will continue through to 10.30pm on Saturday.

On Sunday, a traditional Australia Day citizenship ceremony will be held at council's Speers Point administration building, starting at 9.30am.

Later in the day, a laid-back 'Sunday Sessions' afternoon of live music in Speers Point Park will run from 3pm to 7pm.

Go to lakemac.com.au for more information.

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