The Best Music Festivals in Australia

Now, you'd be lying to yourself if you haven't ever dreamed of getting away down under for an escape from the monotony of Britain, and (more importantly) its dull weather. With sun-soaked beaches of white sands, crystal clear beaches lined with surfers, and, what we're here to talk about, their fantastic record of creating great music that fills up their festival bills year-round.

The only thing you have to be aware of when looking at music festivals in Australia is, to hopefully no one's surprise, it's on the other side of the planet, and that means their seasons are pretty much flipped. Whereas here in the UK our summertime is in the middle of the year June - September time, over down under they finish and start each year bathed in sunshine. What this does mean, however, is that many of their festivals fall on the New Year, and boy do they celebrate it in style. 

So, if you want to escape the winter chill to a glorious paradise of amazing music, then you're in the right place. From Sydney to Perth, Brisbane to Adelaide, Melbourne to Darwin, the Aussie vibes are endless come festival season. And whilst there are only a few more to catch before theirs finishes, it's never too early to start planning, especially if you're jetting off to the other side of the globe.

So scroll down, secure copious amounts of suncream, and get your adventure down under started at one of these incredible Music Festivals in Australia.

Byron Bay Bluesfest

2024 Lineup: Jack Johnson, Tom Jones, The Tesky Brothers, Portugal. The Man, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ziggy Alberts, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, and so many more

When: Thursday 28th March - Monday 1st April 2024

Where: Byron Events Farm, Byron Bay, Australia

If you like your music tinged with the nostalgic soul of the blues, then there are few festivals on the planet, never mind Australia, better than Byron Bay Bluesfest.

Each year the festival attracts some of the world’s biggest blues and roots performers for five days over the Easter long weekend. Delivers more than 200 gigs across multiple stages, as well as camping, food stalls and children’s entertainment, over 105,000 music lovers, attend to enjoy a diverse array of artists, gorgeous weather and the happy vibe around the festival.

Plus, with it being its 35th anniversary this year, they are bringing a mega lineup, with the likes of Jack Johnson and Tom Jones headlining, as well as The Tesky Brothers, Portugal The Man, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, and so many more, you shouldn't need more convincing. Plus it's still yet to happen this year, so your Aussie adventure can start right away!

Splendour In The Grass

2024 Lineup: TBA

When: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July 2024

Where: North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay, Australia

Far and away one of the biggest festivals in Australia, Splendour In The Grass is set in the stunning North Byron Parklands, and always delivers a top-notch genre-spanning line-up that culminates in one of the biggest parties on its side of the hemisphere. With incredible production, outstanding camping facilities, and a focus on delivering the very best in local arts and crafts and delicious cuisine, this will be a festival that will live long in the memory.

2023 saw the likes of Lizzo, Flume, Sam Fender, Mumford and Sons, Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Idles, Tov Lo, and so many more take to one of their 12 stages. So, whilst the lineup for 2024 is not yet out, you can be guaranteed that it is going to be a belter. Head to their site and book tickets now! 

Laneway Festival

2024 Lineup: Stormzy, Steve Lacy, Dominic Fike, AJ Tracey, Confidence Man, Dope Lemon, Faye Webster, Nia Archives, Paris Texas, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

When: Dates throughout February

Where: Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth - Australia

Now this one is quite special. You'll rarely find a festival elsewhere in the world that tours like a band does. But, Laneway is just that. Travelling down under and stopping off in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth it brings a specially curated wagon of incredible talent to every venue for a day of music that never disappoints. 

While they’ve had to take a break in recent years, Laneway made a momentous return in 2023, and with the lineup for 2024 now out, this year looks set to be even better. With the likes of Stormzy, Steve Lacy, Dominic Fike, AJ Tracey, Confidence Man, Dope Lemon, Faye Webster, Nia Archives, Paris Texas, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and so so so many more.

It's going to be a belter. There are 5 different opportunities to see it, so get yourself to one!

Strawberry Fields

Image: Strawberry Fields on Facebook

2024 Lineup: TBA

When: TBA

Where: Tocumwal, New South Wales, Australia

Strawberry Fields returned in 2023 with a vengeance following its cancellation the year before due to floods, and has been confirmed to return in 2024. A widely loved annual celebration of art, sound and creative expression held for three days each November, Strawberry Fields has a cult-like reputation amongst the locals, and it's clear to see why. Only a few hours outside of Melbourne, Australia, the festival brings a diverse selection of both renowned and breakthrough electronic music from Australia and overseas. The whole weekend is a sensory feast for the soul, where you and like-minded ravers can escape reality and 

The festival is not light on amenities either, with a soul-shaking sound system, mind-altering decor, dozens of eclectic market stalls, artistic installations, live performance art, workshops, live discussions and more. If you are a thinker who loves a dance, and appreciates a well-run festival, there's no better you could pick.

Lost Paradise

Image: Lost Paradise on Facebook

2024 Lineup: TBA

When: Saturday 28th December 2024 - Wednesday 1st January 2025

Where: Glenworth Valley, Sydney, Australia

You know those New Year’s Eve festivals in Australia we keep going on about? Well, Lost Paradise pretty much takes the cake. This 3-day camping festival is jam-packed with musical prowess spanning nearly every genre, amazing food, art, and even yoga, all beautifully wrapped in a huge package that maintains its community-driven roots.

It's a widespread favourite for the Aussies to descend upon come the New Year, and when last year's edition featured the likes of Flume, Dom Dolla, Foals, Bicep, Carl Cox, Basement Jaxx, Overmono, and more; there are few doubts that this year ending bash is only going bigger and better next time around. Tickets and lineup are a long way away, but make sure to keep this in mind when the season comes around!

Beyond The Valley

Image: Beyond The Valley Festival on Facebook

2024 Lineup: TBA

When: Saturday 28th December 2024 - Wednesday 1st January 2025

Where: Gippsland Parklands in Lardner, Victoria, Australia

Yet another year-ending bash down under, Beyond The Valley has been a mainstay on the Aussie Circuit for a while now. Distinctive, unique, and one of the most carefully curated music festivals happening over the New Year’s period, Beyond The Valley welcomes thousands upon thousands of people to the stunning grounds of Lardner Park, Victoria for a celebration of monumental proportions.

One of the coolest aspects of the festival is its main stage, which is a whopping 60 metres wide. This is truly a sight to behold (you can get glimpses above) and year after year creates truly breathtaking visuals, lighting, stage production and decor that bring the performances of their nationally and internationally acclaimed artists to life. Last year saw the likes of Rufus Du Sol, Peggy Gou, DMA's G-Flip, Mall Grab, Flight Facilities, and so many more; you just know this year is going to be just as good. Not one to miss.

Ultra Australia

2024 Lineup: Armin van Burren, Brennan Heart, Carl Cox, Darren Styles, Steve Aoki, and Zedd

When: Saturday, April 13th 2024

Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl & Kings Domain, Melbourne, Australia

Ultra Music Festival is one of the landmark events on the Australian festival calendar. Whether it's its mammoth main stage, the 50,000-strong crowd, the emphasis on underground talent at their resistance stage, or just the generally amazing quality of organisation, sound, lighting and facilities; the festival is an unreal experience. Plus, the jaw-dropping technological marvels and wicked custom stages being set to the beautiful backdrop of some of the finest in the Australian landscape don't do much harm either.

ULTRA Australia takes pride in creating an all-encompassing entertainment experience for fans, and the lineup is always stacked with incredible talent from the dance music scene. This year sees Armin van Burren, Brennan Heart, Carl Cox, Darren Styles, Steve Aoki, and Zedd performing, with many more to be announced. If you are a raver who fancies an escape this April, you know what to do. 

Spilt Milk

Image: Spilt Milk on Facebook

2024 Lineup: TBA

When: TBA

Where: A touring Festival that stops off in Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballarat, and Perth

Spilt Milk returned in 2023 for an eagerly anticipated tour of incredible music, weather and vibes. With Post Malone headlining, alongside acts like Dom Dolla, Aitch, Dermert Kennedy, Ocean Alley, and more. As well as some local talent which blew up. Few festivals in the whole of Australia support the locals like Spilt Milk.

Whilst we're still awaiting details of the 2024 edition, we just know they're going to want to go bigger and better, and we can't wait to be down at the front, boogying whilst slathered in suncream, right alongside you,

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.