Top 10 Australian Music Festivals for Every Music Lover

Australia is home to some of the world’s most electrifying music festivals, blending diverse genres, stunning locations, and unforgettable performances. From iconic events like Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival to cultural celebrations such as Adelaide Fringe, these festivals highlight the country’s vibrant live music scene.

Whether you’re into rock, indie, electronic, or blues, there’s a festival for every music lover. Discover the top 10 Australian music festivals and immerse yourself in the ultimate sound experience!

List of Best Australian Music Festivals

1: Splendour in the Grass – Australia’s Premier Music Festival

Location: Yelgun, NSW

Genre: Indie Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic, Alternative

Active Years: 2001 – Present

Held annually at North Byron Parklands in Yelgun, New South Wales, Splendour in the Grass is one of Australia’s most celebrated music festivals. What began as a one-day winter event in 2001 quickly grew into a three-day festival by 2009, earning its place as the country’s largest music festival.

Over the years, the festival has taken place in various locations, including Byron Bay and Woodford, Queensland. It has hosted an impressive lineup of global superstars, from Coldplay and Kanye West to Tame Impala and Lorde.

Despite cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, Splendour in the Grass made a triumphant return in 2022. With multiple stages, vibrant camping experiences, and an electrifying atmosphere, it remains a must-visit Australian music festival for music lovers across Australia and beyond.

2: Falls Festival – A New Year’s Celebration of Music and Arts

Location: Byron Bay (NSW), Fremantle (WA), formerly Lorne (VIC), Marion Bay (TAS), Melbourne (VIC)

Genre: Rock, Indie, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Blues & Roots

Active Years: 1993 – Present

The Falls Music & Arts Festival is a multi-day celebration held annually in Byron Bay and Fremantle, ringing in the New Year with an unforgettable mix of music, arts, and entertainment. Originally launched in 1993 as a small event in Lorne, Victoria, it has since evolved into one of Australia’s premier festivals, expanding to multiple scenic locations.

With a diverse lineup featuring top rock, indie, hip-hop, electronic, and blues artists, Falls Festival offers an immersive experience beyond music. Attendees can enjoy dance, comedy, theatre, circus performances, and cabaret, all set against breathtaking beachside backdrops.

The festival has earned multiple accolades, including the FasterLouder Festival Award for ‘Best Lineup’ in 2008 and ‘Favourite Venue and Location’ for its Marion Bay site in 2009. More recently, it won the National Live Music Awards in 2019 for Victorian Live Event of the Year and Tasmanian All Ages Achievement.

3: Big Day Out – An Icon of Australia’s Music Festival Scene

Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Auckland (New Zealand)

Genre: Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Industrial, Indie Rock

Active Years: 1992 – 1997, 1999 – 2014

The Big Day Out (BDO) was one of Australia’s most iconic music festivals, renowned for its high-energy performances and diverse lineups. Founded by Ken West and Vivian Lees, the festival debuted in Sydney in 1992, featuring Nirvana and Violent Femmes as headliners.

Its success led to rapid expansion, adding stops in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, and even Auckland. With multiple stages, BDO brought together top international acts and homegrown Australian talent, covering rock, electronic, hip-hop, and indie genres.

Despite its massive popularity, internal disputes and financial difficulties led to its final edition in 2014. While there have been discussions about a revival, BDO remains a legendary chapter in Australia’s music history.

4: St Jerome’s Laneway Festival – A Hub for Indie Music Lovers

Location: Multiple cities across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore

Genre: Indie, Indie Pop, Rock

Active Years: 2004 – 2020, 2022 – Present

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, or simply Laneway, began as a small indie music event in Melbourne’s Caledonian Lane in 2005. Over the years, it expanded across Australia to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Fremantle, as well as internationally to Auckland and Singapore.

Renowned for spotlighting emerging artists and indie favorites, Laneway has hosted acts like Florence & the Machine, The XX, and Tame Impala. The festival’s intimate venues, cutting-edge lineups, and vibrant city-based atmosphere make it a must-attend event for Indie rock bands enthusiasts.

Laneway’s impact on Australia’s live music scene has earned it multiple accolades, including Victorian Live Event of the Year (2016), West Australian Live Event of the Year (2016), and NSW Live Event of the Year (2017) at the National Live Music Awards.

With its commitment to fresh talent and immersive experiences, Laneway Festival remains a standout among the top Australian music festivals.

5: Golden Plains Festival – A Unique, Non-Commercial Music Experience

Location: Meredith, Victoria, Australia

Genre: Various

Active Years: 2007 – 2020, 2023 – Present

Held over the long weekend of Victorian Labour Day, the Golden Plains Festival is a three-day celebration of music and community in Meredith, Victoria. Set on private farmland known as the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, the festival offers a one-of-a-kind, laid-back experience free from commercial sponsorships and advertising.

With a strong focus on atmosphere and authenticity, Golden Plains allows attendees to camp in the bush while enjoying diverse food and drink stalls. Its commitment to a relaxed, immersive festival experience has earned it multiple accolades, including Best Festival at the Music Victoria Awards in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020. In 2017, it was also recognized as Victorian Live Event of the Year at the National Live Music Awards.

Renowned for its setting and carefully curated lineup, Golden Plains Festival remains a beloved cultural event in Australia’s music scene.

6: Groovin’ the Moo – Bringing Big Sounds to Regional Australia

Location: Australia (Various cities)

Genre: Rock, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Hip-hop, Electronic, Metalcore

Active Years: 2005 – 2019, 2022 – Present

Groovin’ the Moo is a beloved annual music festival that brings top Australian and international artists to regional areas. Launched in 2005 by Cattleyard Promotions, the festival debuted in Gloucester, New South Wales, before expanding to locations such as Maitland, Bendigo, and Canberra.

Featuring a diverse lineup spanning rock, hip-hop, and electronic music, Groovin’ the Moo has become a favorite among festival-goers seeking a vibrant yet laid-back experience outside major cities. Its impact on Australia’s live music scene has been recognized with multiple awards, including ACT Live Event of the Year at the National Live Music Awards in 2016 and 2019.

With its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to showcasing both established and emerging talent, Groovin’ the Moo continues to be a highlight on Australia’s festival calendar.

7: Woodford Folk Festival – A Celebration of Music, Arts, and Culture

Location: Woodford, Queensland, Australia

Genre: Various

Active Years: 1994 – 2019, 2022 – Present

One of Australia’s most renowned music and arts festivals, the Woodford Folk Festival takes place on a 500-acre rural property known as Woodfordia, near the town of Woodford, north of Brisbane, Queensland. This immersive six-day event features around 2,000 performers across diverse music genres, circus acts, comedy, and interactive workshops. Festival-goers can explore various music genres while enjoying enriching cultural experiences.

A defining aspect of the Woodford Folk Festival is its deep cultural and spiritual elements. The “3 Minutes Silence” on New Year’s Eve offers a moment of collective reflection, followed by the Sunrise Ceremony on New Year’s Day. The festival concludes with the grand Fire Event, where a symbolic structure is set ablaze to welcome the new year.

Recognized for its impact on Australia’s live music scene, Woodford Folk Festival won the National Live Music Award for Best Live Music Festival or Event in 2020. With its unique atmosphere and diverse programming, it remains a must-visit event for music lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.

8: Byron Bay Bluesfest – A Hub of Blues, Roots, and Culture

Location: Byron Bay, New South Wales

Genre: Blues, Roots

Active Years: 1990 – 2019, 2022 – Present

Held annually over the Easter long weekend in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Byron Bay Bluesfest has become one of the world’s leading contemporary music festivals. Since its inception in 1990, it has featured an eclectic mix of Australian and international blues and roots musicians.

Originally hosted in various locations around Byron Bay, the festival is now held at Tyagarah, just north of the town, and attracts over 100,000 attendees each year. In addition to its stellar music lineup, Bluesfest also hosts the Boomerang Festival, which showcases and celebrates Indigenous Australian culture.

Although the festival faced cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it made a successful return in 2022. The festival is set to stage its final event from April 17 to 20, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of Australia’s most iconic cultural celebrations.

9: Beyond the Valley – Best for Music and Art

Location: Barunah Plains Homestead, Victoria, Australia

Genre: Electronic, Dance, Indie, Hip-Hop

Active Years: 2014 – 2019, 2021 – Present

Beyond the Valley (BTV) is a vibrant multi-day music festival held annually over New Year’s Eve in Victoria, bringing top electronic, indie, and hip-hop artists together for an unforgettable celebration. Initially hosted at the Phillip Island Circuit and Lardner Park in Warragul, the festival now takes place at Barunah Plains Homestead.

Known for its immersive experience, BTV combines cutting-edge art installations, on-site camping, and gourmet food options to create a unique festival atmosphere. The event draws a diverse crowd, with many attendees embracing the popular “Naarmcore” fashion trend, contributing to the festival’s distinctive culture.

With 120 acts spread across three stages—the Valley Stage, Dance Dome, and Dr Dans—the festival primarily focuses on dance music, showcasing both local and international talent. Beyond the Valley continues to be a standout celebration of music, art, and community.

10: Adelaide Fringe – Art and Creativity at Its Best

Location: Adelaide, South Australia

Genre: Performing arts, visual arts

Active Years: 1960–present

Adelaide Fringe is the world’s second-largest annual arts festival and the largest in Australia. Held every February to March, it transforms Adelaide into a creative hub, featuring over 7,000 artists from Australia and around the globe. With more than 1,300 events spread across hundreds of venues, the festival celebrates a diverse range of art forms, including theatre, comedy, music, and visual arts, offering both ticketed and free events.

In 2023, the festival reached a historic milestone, selling 1 million tickets—surpassing the 500,000 mark set in 2015—making it the first Australian festival to achieve such a feat. The festival’s open-access model invites artists from all over the world to participate, cementing Adelaide Fringe as one of the most renowned platforms for global talent.

With its vibrant atmosphere and vast creative offerings, Adelaide Fringe continues to be a highlight in the Australian arts and music calendar.