Still Mourning Bluesfest? This Free Blues Festival Hits The Gold Coast Next Weekend
good for the soul
By Victoria Lewis | 7th May 2026Still itching for some toe-tapping tunes in the wake of Bluesfest being cancelled this year? Thankfully for all of us, Blues on Broadbeach is here to satisfy our cravings for rhythm and blues by the beach, and the best part is, it’s completely free.
From May 14 – 17, music will spill onto the streets of Broadbeach for four glorious days and electrifying nights of groovy tunes, vibrant venues, and all-out good times. Celebrating 25 years with a stacked lineup of international and homegrown artists (anyone a Cold Chisel fan?), Blues on Broadbeach is one music festival that’s going anywhere – and here’s everything you need to know.
The main event
Don’t just think of this as your average festival, because Blues on Broadbeach is more like a total music takeover. Now one of Australia’s largest music festivals, the event takes over 19 streets, parks, and venues throughout Broadbeach, where festivalgoers can come and go as they please, making the most of the surrounding restaurants, bars, and cafes while they’re at it.
And this year, the lineup is one for the ages, featuring performances from Ian Moss (former member of the legendary Cold Chisel), Ruthie Foster, and MonoNeon, alongside The Bamboos, Robert Finley, and many more.
In an age where access to live music seems to be dwindling, Blues on Broadbeach stands tall as a free celebration of community, artistry, and connection.
The Sunday Ticket
But wait, there’s more! Adding to the already jam-packed schedule, the Sunday Ticket is your chance to elevate the weekend with an exclusive gig featuring soul-soaked heavyweights The Teskey Brothers in their Blues on Broadbeach debut.
The band will also share the stage with hometown talents Emma Donovan and Ash Grunwald, making for the ultimate Sunday sesh. Returning for its third year, The Sunday Ticket will run as an 18+ ticketed event alongside the wider festival program. To get in on the action, secure your ticket here.
Making a weekend of it
Secret shows, an exclusive bar, and VIP access? Sing us up. For music lovers who want to make the most out of the Blues on Broadbeach experience, The Langham Gold Coast is offering an exclusive VIP Festival experience.
With VIP 12 Bar Society tickets sold out for the general public, this is your only shot to rub shoulders with the artists this year. VIP access includes entry to a private bar, up-close stage viewing gardens, “in conversation” artist sessions, a secret show and more, giving you a premium way to experience one of the Gold Coast’s biggest live music events. The Langham’s Blues on Broadbeach VIP Festival Experience really is the full package – including two nights’ luxury accommodation, VIP 12 Bar Society, Sunday Ticket passes, and buffet breakfast at their beachfront restaurant, Akoya. Because, after long days on your feet, swaying and headbanging, sinking into a luxurious hotel bed sounds like our idea of heaven. Book your stay here.
A legacy in the making
So much more than a weekend of trippy guitar work and exuberant vocals, Blues on Broadbeach is a legacy, celebrating 25 years as one of the nation’s favourite beachside festivals. To honour two and a half decades, the team goes back to where the blues began with a mini-documentary on the cult-favourite festival featuring artists past and present, which you can watch for yourself here.
The details
WHAT: Blues on Broadbeach festival WHEN: Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17 WHERE: 19 venues across the Broadbeach precinct, for more details, view the map here. TICKETS: The main programme is a free entry event, and tickets for the Sunday Ticket event are available here.
Now that you’ve got the rundown, all that’s left is to phone your friends, find some comfy dancing shoes, and gear up for four days of blues-filled festival fun.
Imagery: @bluesonbroadbeach
