THE K.I.S.S. Arts Festival (The Kiama International Seaside Arts Festival) is back for its fourth year, and may have managed to bag its best line-up yet.

Each year, the organisers, Kiama residents Dave Evans and Tamara Campbell, make it their mission to try and bring the most interesting, unique and talented artists that they can find to our beautiful seaside paradise, and treat locals and holidaymakers alike to a slice of the international comedy festival scene.

Each year they attempt to add at least one new element to the festival to keep it fresh and evolving, but this year they have added half a dozen.

The Kiama Leagues Club will participate in The K.I.S.S. Arts Festival for the first time, opening its doors, for free, on Friday, January 9, at 8pm for a night of variety and stand-up.

The new bar/restaurant Kabari on Surf Beach is hosting the Open-Air Variety night on Saturday, January 10, from 6pm-8pm.

Venturing further afield, visit Gerringong on Sunday, January 11, between 11am-3pm and watch the cast of K.I.S.S. perform in The Old School Park for the last street theatre shows of the festival.

An opening night at The Old Fire Station will be displaying photos from the past three festivals.

Come along and see tasters of what this year's festival promises, meet the performers and organisers, have your photo taken with Daisy the Cow and listen to the winner of the busking competition play live.

In conjunction with the festival, Kiama Council will be hosting two chalk drawing "Street Art" workshops in the lead-up to the festival with festival artist Ulla Taylor.

Taylor is one of Australia's most prolific chalk artists.

To book a place in the workshop, contact Louise Croker at louisec@kiama.nsw.gov.au.

On January 7, in conjunction with the K.I.S.S. Arts Festival, council is hosting a busking competition. A total of 16 musicians will play around Kiama, and a panel of specially selected judges will whittle them down to a final selection that will play that afternoon on the Hindmarsh Park stage.

As well as bagging a $300 prize, the winner will be invited to play at the K.I.S.S. launch party in Thursday at the Old Fire Station.

The K.I.S.S. Arts Festival also plans to re-run old favourites such as The Ray White Street Theatre program in Hindmarsh Park on Friday and Saturday between 11am-4pm, and smaller more intimate shows at Kendalls Beach on Friday and Saturday from 3pm-5pm and then on Sunday from 2pm-4pm.

Get there early to guarantee a good seat for the festival finale show in the Jamberoo Pub beer garden on Sunday, January 11, at 5pm.

The popular Circus Workshops will also be happening from January 5-9 and then from January 12-14 from 10am-3pm each day in Hindmarsh Park.

Bookings can be made by calling 0403 817 549 or visiting the kissartsfestival.com.au website.