Bluesfest Is Back, Baby: One Of Australia’s Most Iconic Music Festival Returns For 2026
Get your festival on
By Bianca Licina | 12th November 2025Get your camping crew together and dust off the gumboots – Bluesfest Byron Bay is officially back and bigger than ever. After months of rumours, wishlists, and wild lineup predictions, the 2026 drop is finally here, and it’s absolutely stacked.
Returning for its 37th year, Australia’s most awarded music festival is taking over Byron Bay from Thursday, April 2 to Sunday, April 5, 2026 — that’s your Easter long weekend sorted. Expect four glorious days off good times, singing, dancing, and that unbeatable Byron energy.
Following a dramatic announcement that 2025 would be the festival’s final bow, there were widespread fears the music mecca might never return. But thanks to a surge of support from fans and an unprecedented attendance of 109,000 in 2025, the team flipped the script — and confirmed Bluesfest will roar back from 2 to 5 April 2026.
The lineup: a love letter to live music
This year’s lineup proves Bluesfest isn’t just surviving – it’s thriving. We’re talking reunion acts, genre legends, and new sounds all sharing the stage in one massive celebration of blues, rock, and roots.
Leading the charge: Split Enz, The Black Crowes, The Living End, Mark Seymour, and Mental as Anything — all set to bring the kind of guitar-fuelled chaos that’ll have the mosh moving from day to night.
Adding to the nostalgia is Counting Crows, whose beloved hits and emotive folk-rock storytelling continue to define a generation. Their addition cements Bluesfest’s reputation as a festival that embraces the full spectrum of sound, from diehard blues fans to casual rock devotees.
For the rebels and the dreamers
Bluesfest 2026 isn’t just for the blues purists — it’s a full-blown sound safari. The punk and surf-rock wave continues with Sublime, returning with Jakob Nowell leading the charge, plus local heroes Skegss, keeping that Byron-bred surf energy alive and loud.
Then there’s The Dreggs, The Pogues, and Áine Tyrrell, bringing their own brand of soulful chaos to the stage — equal parts grit, groove, and good vibes.
Roots, folk, and pure soul
The heart of Bluesfest has always been about the storytellers, and this year’s lineup keeps the spirit strong. Expect spine-tingling sets from Xavier Rudd, Pierce Brothers, Daniel Champagne, and Jovin Webb, plus R&B-infused grooves from Ben Catley and ROSHANI that’ll have you swaying under the stars.
Festival insider tips
- Plan your weekend early. Clashes are inevitable, so get strategic about who’s on your must-see list.
- Seek out the small stages. The Discovery Stage is where the magic happens and where future headliners are born (get the kick of saying “I saw them before they were big”).
- Bring the vibe. Think sun, surf, denim, and dancing. Byron style isn’t a dress code — it’s a mood.
- Stay tuned. Daily headliners are confirmed, but set times are still TBA — so keep those notifications on.
Tickets & the lowdown
Tickets are flying, so now’s the time to lock yours in. Choose from single-day, three-day, or full four-day passes, with or without camping. Collector Tickets are also available, with a second release dropping in February 2026. Check out all the ticketing details here.
The verdict: bigger. brighter. Byron.
This year, Bluesfest is also bringing in a brand new, bigger Crossroads tent with designated seating, upgraded camping, transport, and roads, better lighting, drainage, and comfort – no complaints here! With over 200 performances across multiple stages, Bluesfest 2026 is shaping up to be a sun-soaked, sound-packed, good-vibes-only weekend that celebrates the very best of Australian music culture.
Get all the info you need here – see ‘ya in the crowd!
