Looking for the best Byron Bay festivals!? You’re in luck, but it’s important to know that Byron Bay is often considered to be one of the world’s most offbeat vacation spots. This scenic seaside enclave in northern New South Wales is home to a hidden jewel of Australia that has become famous as a Mecca for those seeking enlightenment on a spiritual quest.
Not only do Byron Bay’s music festivals, such as Bluesfest and Splendour in the Grass, receive international acclaim, but so do the city’s other festivals.
Visitors to the Byron Bay festival can participate in a variety of activities, each of which focuses on a different interest. Afterwards, relax with some yoga, surf, and weed while digesting your delicious lunch. Pick one of these options.
In order to get you excited for your forthcoming trip along the east coast, we’ve compiled a list of the things to do in Byron Bay. And possibly a spiritual epiphany of some sort as well. Below is the range of festivals and events in the Byron Shire and surrounds so you can plan your next vacation around one of these amazing events.
January
Starlight Festival – Bangalow
Four days of enlightenment, spiritual development, and heightened awareness make up the Bangalow Starlight Festival. known practitioners and experts in a wide range of disciplines, including massage, yoga, organic foods, healing, music, and much more.
The festival includes presentations, seminars, markets, music, healing, all-day yoga, and healing sessions led by well-known local and national presenters. Gathering vendors and instructors who are interested in health, wellbeing, sustainability, healing, lifestyle, and enlightenment. The Starlight Festival offers the ideal chance to enliven your spirit, feed your soul, and celebrate conscious living with like-minded people.
Brunswick Heads Woodchop
The Brunswick Valley Woodchop & Entertainment Committee Inc., a locally based “not for profit” organisation, hosts the Festival Fish ‘n’ Chips every year as a lead-up to their Woodchop Carnival, which attracts competitors from across the world, including New Zealand, the US, and Canada.
Outside of the Sydney and Brisbane exhibitions, the Brunswick Woodchop Carnival is currently regarded as the largest woodchopping event. Thousands of people assemble along the riverside to see a massive fireworks show that is setup from Banner Park across the river to kick off the Festival (weather allowed).
There are a variety of events that take part in at the Annual Woodchop Carnival, which will take place at Memorial Park. There are competitions for men, women, junior boys and girls, and it’s a family-friendly event. Everyone is welcome to attend the carnival for free and to observe the events in person.
Visit bhwoodchop.com/brunswick-heads-woodchop-program for additional details and to stay up to date on the most recent news and events.
Bangalow Film Festival
Bangalow Showgrounds and A&I Hall host this annual event. The outdoor and indoor festival debuted in January 2021. Local and international movies, docs, and shorts.
Created by Christian Pazzaglia, Ben Alcock, and Lyn McCarthy who are film event producers. Christian is an international curator and producer of cinema programmes and festivals; Ben is the co-creator of Bangalow’s Flicks in the Field and a travel writer and marketing consultant; and Lyn is a founder of the Dendy Cinema chain and former Sydney Film Festival general manager.
February
March
Eat The Street Lismore
Eat the Street is a food, arts and music event celebrating the cosmopolitan and eclectic culture of Lismore. The event attracts ‘foodies’ and ‘culture’ buffs from far and wide and is fast becoming a highlight on the North Coast’s event calendar as an event not to be missed!
The event is held in Lismore’s Central Business District (CBD) in the city’s heart within the vibrant Lismore Laneways. Showcasing fabulous food, beverages and artwork for a fabulous celebration of local flavours, music and family entertainment.
Inspired by a world of street food styles, their local and regional cafes and restaurants showcase fresh regional cuisine providing fabulous tasting plates. There are tempting treats from every corner of the globe, luscious libations from their region’s boutique beverage purveyors and stalls brimming with spectacular local products.
Evans Head Airshow
Large warplanes doing high-intensity aerobatics in place of the big screen. You can drive or fly into Evans Head Aerodrome, where the 3-Hour Drive-In Airshow is held. There is a limited amount of tickets available. For tickets and more information, go to https://evansheadairshow.com.au.
April
Byron Bay Bluesfest
The Byron Bay Bluesfest is perhaps the festival in Byron Bay that is attended by the most people nowadays. The Easter long weekend is the perfect time for the Bluesfest, which features excellent music, wonderful weather, and good food. At this great yearly festival, there will be over 200 blues and roots musicians performing, and you won’t want to miss out on any of them.
Nimbin Mardigrass
The Nimbin MardiGrass is a rally and celebration that takes place every year in the teeny-tiny village of Nimbin, which is located in the northern part of New South Wales, Australia. Mardi Gras has been held annually since 1993, and its purpose has been to celebrate the culture that has developed in this area over the past 49 years, as well as to protest the drug laws that have been in place since 1993, to educate people on the various uses of cannabis (including medicinal, industrial, recreational, and spiritual), and to educate people on the various uses of cannabis. Our goal is to effect positive change while having as much fun as humanly feasible.
May
Byron Ocean Swim Classic
There is little doubt that the Byron Bay ocean swim classic is considered to be one of the classics.
The traditional ocean swimmers look forwards to the first Sunday in May each year for the classic, which marks the beginning of the winter swimming season and is a favourite event of these swimmers.
The swim itself is attended by a diverse group of swimmers from all across Australia, and it has been triumphed over by some of the most well-known names in open water swimming in Australia, such as Grant Hackett, Ky Hurst, and Melissa Gorman, who have all competed in the Olympics in the past.
Byron Bay Triathalon
It is easy to see why the Byron Bay Triathlon is one of Australia’s favourite end-of-season festivities. The race takes place in one of the country’s most iconic locations, features a stunning ocean swim, and combines this with Byron’s much-loved party atmosphere. Recognized worldwide for its iconic Olympic race and yearly get-together of competing teams. The new events that are gaining popularity are the Sprint, Kids, and Aquabike races.
Mullum to Bruns Paddle
The Mullum2Bruns Paddle is an event that takes place on the Brunswick River on an annual basis. It begins in Heritage Park in Mullumbimby and concludes at the Terrace Park in Brunswick Heads, covering a distance of approximately 10 kilometres. Everyone will find something to their liking.
Murwillumbah Arts Trail
Visit the historical town of Murwillumbah, the creative hub of the Tweed, and take a drive through some of the most stunning scenery in Australia. You’ll find back roads and hidden gems in this wonderful region of Northern NSW as you explore this region’s hinterland and river systems.
The Arts Trail weekend offers the general public a special chance to see artists in their studios, historical buildings, and temporary exhibition spaces in the nearby communities. showcasing a variety of artistic mediums, such as exquisite glass, mosaics, jewellery, sculpture, and printing.
It’s a fantastic chance for admirers, collectors, artists, and anyone else interested in our thriving scene to see how art is made behind the scenes, discover new local artists, and take advantage of studio deals.
June
Lismore Lantern Parade
An annual community celebration known as the Lismore Lantern Parade is conducted on or near the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night of the year. In 1993, there were only a few hundred participants in the inaugural parade. Every year, it has expanded more and more.
Australia and other countries have come to know and love the Lismore Lantern Parade.
In a “typical” year, the festival draws about 30,000 visitors and is predicted to boost the regional economy by $3.4 million. The festival has been formally recognised by Lismore City Council as its Signature Event for its social, economic, and cultural contributions to the City.
Byron Bay Music Festival
A celebration of live music in the neighbourhood, the Byron Music Festival captures the essence of Byron Bay. Our three-day event, which includes performances, Byron Bay’s first and only music business conference, and a targeted youth activation hosted at several locations throughout the city, features regional artists from the North Coast.
The Byron Music Festival is a chance for the entire community to unite and celebrate our wonderful local music scene as well as a revitalisation of the local entertainment sector.
Byron Bay Comedy Festival
The Byron Comedy Festival is an event that is meticulously organised and takes place on the beachfront of Main Beach in Byron Bay. During the first week of June, the town plays host to the top comics from Australia and the rest of the world.
July
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour is now a three-day extravaganza of big name bands and new Australian music that is held at North Byron Parklands, a dedicated site 15 minutes north of Byron. It used to be a boutique one-day festival that was held at Belongil Fields on the outskirts of Byron. However, it has since evolved into what is considered to be Australia’s largest winter music festival.
August
Byron Bay Writers Festival
During the month of August, the Byron Shire will play host to more than one hundred authors and thinkers who will talk to festival attendees about their work, ideas, and the impact that words can have. Located at a brand new location, the breathtaking North Byron Parklands, this event has moved.
Byron Bay Surf Festival
The Byron Bay Surf Festival, which was founded in 2010, presents cutting-edge and experiential ideas through one-of-a-kind and engaging activities.
The multi-day festival features a number of activities, with a focus on sustainability, education, and innovation, including surfing, art, music, cinema, special guests, and environmental concerns.
The Byron Bay Surf Event is pleased to be recognised as a Deep Blue Event (waste free), a member of 1% For The Planet, and has a clear path towards decreasing environmental and community impacts through education with a carefully curated festival of likeminded exhibitors and distinguished visitors. Visit www.byronbaysurffestival.com.au for more details.
Bangalow Music Festival
The Festival is a classical music festival of world-class calibre that is held in regional New South Wales. Chamber performers and orchestral players of the finest calibre from all over the world will be performing at this year’s festival, which will delight spectators with a stunning programme of chamber music.
The Bangalow Music Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that is unlike any other, filled with moving music performed in a breathtaking setting. It is tucked away in the Northern New South Wales Hinterland.
Byron to Bruns Run
Here’s a beach run with a twist: a 10-kilometer point-to-point run connecting Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. Intrigued? Read on.
Although the Byron Shire has a reputation for being a place where people want to relax and do nothing, there is a very active group there that enjoys working out to their heart’s delight. There are also some extremely fast runners, as seen by the race’s results, albeit there were no records set this year.
Buses take competitors from Byron to the starting line, where they are then free to move at their own leisure for the entire 10 km north down the coastline to Brunswick Heads main beach. The majority took off.
September
Sample Food Festival
This event, which will offer a taste of Northern New South Wales. Visit us for tasting plates priced between $5 and $10 prepared by some of the greatest restaurants in the area, sample some of the finest beverages that Northern New South Wales has to offer, peruse the wares of local vendors, and take part in one of our many festival seminars. Live music, Guest Chefs, and further details, including pop-up events, will be released at a later time.
Boomerang Festival
Boomerang Festival is a remarkable Indigenous event held on the ancestral grounds of Bundjalung, located just north of the picturesque Byron Bay in the lush subtropical region of Northern NSW. Nestled within the enchanting Byron Event Farm Tyagarah, the festival serves as an integral part of the renowned Byron Bay Bluesfest. Boomerang is a festival that embraces ‘A new world Indigenous culture’, welcoming all Australians. The event showcases an impressive line-up of both contemporary and traditional performing artists from the music and dance industries. Coupled with thought-provoking discussions, arts, and ideas, Boomerang Festival provides an immersive, enriching cultural experience.
Bangalow Billicart Derby
The Bangalow Billy Cart Derby is a cherished neighbourhood event where everyone pitches in to promote good ol’ fashioned outdoor fun. The Billy Cart Derby draws large audiences to Bangalow for a day filled with billycart racing, skilled skateboarding, parades, kiddie rides, and entertainment. It’s a terrific day full of neighbourhood fun.
With billy carts of various sizes and shapes and children of all ages, Bangalow’s main street is transformed into a race track. This multi-award winning community event is a fun family outing. Early starts and a street procession, complete with vendors and other entertainment, mark the conclusion of races.
October
Byron Bay Lighthouse Run
Lisa Parkes coordinates the Byron Bay Lighthouse Run with the help of the Lighthouse Run committee, a fantastic group of volunteers, and sponsors. The run, now in its 16th year, has advanced from modest beginnings.
The event’s organisers don’t make any money at all; all donations go to charity. They choose a different charity each year. They take into account that some charity receive a lot of funding, therefore they attempt to help the underdog and smaller businesses. They enjoy following up on projects to find out where the funding has gone. They put a lot of effort into organising the event with the help of their committee, volunteers, and sponsors. The people who run or walk in the event pay for it, therefore they are interested in how the money is used.
Byron Bay Film Festival
The Byron Bay Film Festival (BBFF) provides a forum for excellent independent film talent, displaying a uniquely rich and diverse programme of films that are amusing, uplifting, and thought stimulating. The festival is held across numerous venues in Byron Bay, Australia. It’s a festival that combines artistic expression, educational opportunities, and innovative thinking in order to broaden our understanding of the world and deepen our engagement in communal social conversation through the medium and power of film.
November
Ballina Country Music Festival
The Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival is a celebration of the coming together of communities both internal and external to the area for the purpose of hosting a weekend filled with entertaining and high-quality entertainment for people of all ages. Within the Central Business District, the event will feature performances by headlining musicians from across the country, as well as rock and country music, busking, and street performers.
Byron Latin Festival
Master Classes, a Pre-Party, a Pool Party, After-Parties, and Stall Holders in addition to more than thirty Latin dance workshops and twenty or more live performances. There are many different types of dance, such as Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Kizomba, Tango, Reggaeton, Afro, and Samba, among others. The event is geared for both inexperienced dancers and more advanced dancers, and participation from anybody is encouraged. Bring along all of your pals!
Mullumbimby Music Festival
The annual Mullum Music Festival is held in an arts district made up of halls, churches, pubs, and streets in Mullumbimby, The Biggest Little Town in Australia, against the background of Mount Chincogan and the adjacent rolling hills.
This family-friendly event draws large crowds due to its amazing lineup of local, national, and worldwide bands, which has something for everyone.
The majority of performances are held in existing buildings whenever possible, using existing infrastructure and hiring locally to support local businesses, in keeping with the festival’s objective of being a sustainable one.
December
Falls Festival
Falls is set to take your New Year celebration to the next level in Byron Bay, as well as intriguing new locations in Victoria and Western Australia, and a lineup and electronic experience that are more current, in-depth, and immersive than ever before. The Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, and Peggy Gou will be performing as headliners at this year’s festival. Luxury camping, VIP options, swimming pools, amazing food, crap olympics, and other activities are all available at FALLS.
Festivals FAQs
What are some of the major festivals held in Byron Bay?
Byron Bay hosts a variety of festivals including the Roots Music Festival, Boomerang Festival, Byron Writers Festival, Byron Bay Film Festival, and Splendour in the Grass. These events celebrate music, literature, film, and the rich cultural heritage of the area.
What can I expect from the Byron Bay festivals?
Expect a laid-back atmosphere filled with music across multiple stages, food and market stalls, undercover food courts, beer gardens, and even children’s entertainment. Some festivals offer series of workshops, from dance to writing. It’s an experience that brings together people from all walks of life in a warm and welcoming environment.
Where are the Byron Bay festivals held?
Festivals are held in various locations around Byron, with many, like the Roots Music Festival and Bluesfest, taking place at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm. Some events, like the Byron Bay Film Festival, are spread across multiple venues.
Is there camping available at the festivals?
Yes, many of the festivals including Splendour in the Grass and the Roots Music Festival offer camping options. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the festival experience and stay close to the action.
When do tickets go on sale for Byron Bay festivals?
The sale dates for tickets vary by festival, so it’s best to check each festival’s official website for the most accurate information. Remember, tickets for these popular events can sell out quickly, so it’s best to plan ahead!
Who are some of the performers at these festivals?
Each festival features a diverse line-up of talent, from award-winning international acts to Australia’s biggest local lineup. For example, blues legend Buddy Guy has graced the stage at the Roots Music Festival.
What makes the Byron Bay festivals special?
Beyond the stunning location, Byron Bay festivals are known for their inclusive, laid-back vibe. They are some of the most awarded in Australia and offer a unique blend of music, art, and culture. From ringing in the New Year’s at Falls Festival (also held in Lorne, Victoria) to spending three days at Australia’s most awarded music festival, Bluesfest, there’s something for everyone.
What can writers and thinkers expect from the Byron Writers Festival?
The Byron Writers Festival is a celebration of storytelling, ideas, and debate. Writers and thinkers will come together for three days of discussions, workshops, and performances. It’s a vibrant, interactive event that celebrates the power of words and ideas.
