Editorial Team
The Top 10 Biggest Music Festivals in Australia
Some love the pure escapism, others thrive on the adrenaline rush of frantically refreshing the online booking page. For others, it’s all about drinks, friends, non-stop tunes, and crowd surfing. Australia’s line up of world class music festivals really aren’t to be missed.
The only downside is, that the party really does go on without you and making the most of Australia’s festival season requires a bit of forward planning. First there’s the outfit, then the crew, and finally arranging Monday (and possibly Tuesday…) off work.
Put your hands up if you’re already thinking…
‘I want to be close to the best music festivals on my next long-weekend!’
You’re not alone.
Whether you’re into country, folk, dance or blues – we’ve got the ultimate list of Australian music festivals to tick off your bucket list.
Tamworth Country Music Festival
Tamworth, NSW – Annual event held from mid to late January
The summer music festival season in Australia starts with a bang. Country music is all about story telling and The Tamworth Country Music Festival just so happens to be the biggest festival in the country. It’s attracted crooners from all over the country for 50 years running and every year delivers.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival is the true-blue event that every Aussie music fan looks forward to. As the biggest festival in the country, Tamworth has become part of Australia’s cultural fabric, bringing together fans and country music stars alike for a week-long celebration of storytelling, melody and good times. Over 50,000 fans flock to Tamworth every day to experience the heart-felt line-up of seasoned and up-and-coming artists, all sharing stories of love, loss, heartache and triumph. But there is much more to Tamworth than just music. With events ranging from horse riding and rodeos to street food and art exhibitions, the festival has something for everyone. So grab your cowboy hat, polish your boots and get ready to experience the best of country music at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Tamworth Country Music Festival – NSW
Bluesfest
Byron Bay, NSW – Annual event held over the Easter Long Weekend
The words Byron Bay and the Easter Long Weekend were made to go together. Sprinkle in a little bit of the blues and you’ve got yourself a dreamy weekend escape. There is no other musical genre that will make you feel so damn good about a broken heart or break up.
Byron Bay Bluesfest is a legendary event that music fans across Australia eagerly anticipate each year. Located just north of Byron Bay in NSW, this festival celebrates the best in contemporary Blues & Roots music from around the world. From Bob Dylan to Hozier, Paul Simon to Iggy Pop, the festival has showcased some of the biggest names in music, making it a must-see for any music aficionado. What started as a modest event, entertaining 6,000 people in its first year, has now grown into a massive festival that attracts over 100,000 fans. The 300-acre Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, where the festival takes place, plays host to numerous performances across multiple stages, and camping is available for those who want to experience the festival for the whole weekend. With five licensed bars, 100+ food & market stalls, and family-friendly entertainment, Bluesfest is a safe and fun event that truly has something for everyone.
Nothing will heal you like salt, sun and the blues.
BLUESFEST – BYRON BAY, NSW
Woodford Folk Festival
Woodford, QLD – Annual event held over 6 days and nights, from Dec 27th through to January 1st
Forget the fireworks. Woodford Folk Festival is the place to be on New Year’s Eve!
For six days and six nights at the end of December and beginning of January, Woodfordia is home to one of the largest gatherings of artists and musicians in Australia. The Woodford Folk Festival is a vibrant celebration of inclusive and creative community, bringing together more than 2,000 local, national, and international artists, musicians, and presenters to share their talents and stories with an audience of an estimated 132,000 people. Each year, the festival kicks off with the iconic Opening Ceremony and ends with the equally stunning Fire Event on New Year’s Day. During the festival, Woodfordia is transformed into a colorful and bustling village, hosting over 25,000 daily patrons, performers, stallholders, volunteers, and organizers. With over 438 acts, the festival experience is deep, rich, and unforgettable.
From guitar shredding to delicate melodies, with a side of yoga classes and astrology – Woodford Folk Festival will help you start the New Year off in the right headspace.
WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL–WOODFORD, QUEENSLAND
Splendour in the Grass
Byron Bay, NSW – Annual event held over 3 days in July
Dust off your wellies! Splendour is easily, the most eagerly awaited line-up announcement on the Australian music festival calendar. It’s more than music: Splendour is all about the mud, festival fashion, and camping with your mates. It’s the closest that some of us will ever get to Coachella and the long weekend of non-stop music is worth splurging some savings on.
For music lovers in Australia, this event reigns supreme and it’s been that way for the past 20 years. Splendour in the Grass has consistently drawn in a crowd of up to 50 000 people per day in the picturesque town of Byron Bay every July. So what makes this festival so special? It’s a combination of things, really. The killer lineup is a major drawcard, but it’s also the opportunity to camp out under the stars, the stunning location, and the laid-back vibes that make Splendour a must-attend event for discerning music-lovers.
But it’s not just all about the music at Splendour in the Grass – there’s also a plethora of other activities to indulge in, like taking part in discussions and debates at the Splendour Forum, dancing the night away at The Tipi Forest, experiencing world music, cabaret and culture at the Global Village, and getting hands-on with craft workshops at Splendour in the Craft. Plus, with an extensive program of site-specific art installations to immerse oneself in, Splendour in the Grass is not just a music festival, but a complete sensory adventure.
SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS – BYRON BAY
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Brisbane / Sydney / Adelaide / Melbourne / Fremantle – Annual event held end January – February
Imagine a humble weekly gig in a tiny bar, where a community of music lovers gathered to share their love for cutting-edge tunes. Now fast forward well over a decade – that community has blossomed into a nationwide festival phenomenon, complete with international acclaim. The St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival is a solid fixture on the Australian music calendar, and shows no signs of slowing down. The festival boasts inclusivity, creativity, and fun – all core values that run through every aspect of the event. With five cities across Australia and the stunning Auckland, New Zealand, on the tour map, there’s something for every music lover at St. Jerome’s. What’s not to love when you have great music, good vibes, and even better people to enjoy it all with? Rally your mates, and make some memories!
ST JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL
Rabbits Eats Lettuce Festival
Annual event held over the Easter long weekend
Pack your bags and prepare to escape the city bustle! The Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival is a unique event that offers a space where freedom, love, and dance music reign supreme. Camp out under the stars in a breathtaking natural environment and join a community full of likeminded souls who are looking to unwind and let go. This festival provides a rare opportunity to dissolve those pesky social barriers and just dance along with others. Originally starting out in 2008 as a Tribal Easter party along the mid-north-coast of NSW, Rabbits Eat Lettuce has become an underground tradition that is still holding strong. With live music, DJs, yoga, workshops, and a market village, this festival has everything you need to reconnect with yourself and others. Let yourself experience a unique escape and be a part of something truly special.
Listen Out / Listen In
Melbourne / Perth / Sydney / Brisbane / Adelaide / Auckland – Annual event held in September
Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to move, because Listen Out is the ultimate dance music festival Down Under! Since 2013, Listen Out has been touring Australia with an unbeatable lineup of dynamic hip-hop and electronic acts. From Brisbane to Melbourne, Perth to Sydney, this festival is bringing the beats to cities all across the country. But that’s not all – in 2018, Listen In was added to the mix, bringing the party to Adelaide and Auckland as well. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time festival goer, Listen Out and Listen In are guaranteed to get you grooving. So mark your calendars and get ready to dance the night away!
LISTEN OUT / LISTEN IN
Groovin The Moo
Wayville / Maitland / Canberra / Bendigo / Townsville / Bunbury – Annual event held in April
Groovin The Moo is all about music, road tripping, and making memories. Set in off-beat regional locations, Groovin The Moo rolls out just off the tail end of the summer festival season. By April, the mercury may be dropping, but the beats will still be poppin’.
Groovin The Moo
Beyond the Valley
Lardner Park, VIC – Annual event held over 4 days from the 28 December – 1 January
Beyond the Valley is a boutique Australian music festival, that began in 2014. This new kid on the block attracts world class acts such as Jamie XX, Chance the Rapper, Kaytranada, Rufus, and many more.
Luxury and music festival aren’t normally used in the same sentence, but Beyond the Valley breaks all the rules. With powered or luxury camping options available, why not treat yourself to a festival of dancing and decadence all done in style!
Beyond the Valley
Strawberry Fields
Tocumwal, VIC – Annual event held over 3 days in November
If you’re looking for the ultimate blend of music, art, and nature, Strawberry Fields festival is a must-attend event. This festival has gained a global reputation for its unforgettable experiences, drawing in over 10,000 patrons from around the world. The Wildlands, the festival’s home, is a sprawling 300-hectare property with direct access to the Murray River. You’ll be blown away by the breathtaking surroundings as you camp out and immerse yourself in the revelry of live music, workshops, and large-scale art installations. But let’s not forget the wild river swimming – a refreshing way to cool off and soak up the unspoiled natural environment. By joining the throngs of happy festival-goers at Strawberry Fields, you’re signing up for a weekend of pure bliss where you can leave behind life’s stresses and reconnect with the beauty of the Australian bush.
Go on, give your spotify playlist a break. Once you’ve planned your Aussie music festival calendar, start mapping out your accommodation here at JumpOn!
