Why You Can’t Miss Strummingbird 2026!
Strummingbird is just around the corner, landing in Ballarat, Newcastle and Sunshine Coast this October. From huge country hooks to full-field singalongs, here's why you'll want to round up your crew, pull on your boots and lock in your plans.
And the lineup just got even bigger. Tyler Childers (Sunshine Coast and Newcastle), Sam Barber (Ballarat) and festival favourite James Johnston (all locations) are joining the bill, giving you even more reasons to make a weekend of it.
Strummingbird Festival 2026
Ballarat | Sat 10 Oct 2026 | Victoria Park, VIC
Newcastle | Sat 17 Oct 2026 | Newcastle Foreshore, NSW
Sunshine Coast | Sun 18 Oct 2026 | Kawana Sports Precinct, QLD
Catch Tyler Childers in his only Australian festival appearances
Tyler Childers is heading to Newcastle and Sunshine Coast only for his Australian-exclusive Strummingbird performances.
If you've had “Feathered Indians”, “In Your Love” or “All Your'n” on repeat, this is your chance to catch one of modern country’s most essential voices in a festival setting. Expect the singalongs to be loud.
SEE SAM BARBER's AUSTRALIAN-EXCLUSIVE BALLARAT SET
Ballarat, you've got something special on your hands. Sam Barber will make his Australian-exclusive appearance at Strummingbird Ballarat only.
His raw, country-folk storytelling has struck a chord with fans around the world and this is set to be one of those sets you'll be talking about long after the weekend!
James Johnston is taking on all three locations
Country superstar James Johnston is coming to Ballarat, Newcastle and Sunshine Coast, giving every Strummingbird stop a proper homegrown hit of country.
Whether you're there for the anthems, the good-time energy or a full-field singalong, James is one you'll want front and centre in your festival plan.
There's a whole lot more than the headliners
The bill is stacked from top to bottom, with Bailey Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Stella Lefty, Dexter and the Moonrocks, Brad Cox, Cam, Kaitlin Butts, Noah Rinker, Sons Of The East, Sara Berki and plenty more ready to take over the weekend.
Add line dancing with Maddison Glover, local talent at each location and the return of the Silver Spur Saloon, and you've got a full day of country music and festival mischief sorted.
Make a weekend of it with camping
Planning to make a weekend of Strummingbird? Whether you're heading to the Ballarat or Sunshine Coast, camping is the best way to stay close to the action and fully immerse yourself in the festival experience!
Sites are unpowered and sold as two-night packages, with toilet and shower blocks on site. Bring your camping essentials, check the festival FAQs (Ballarat FAQS, Sunshine Coast FAQ) before packing cooking gear, and remember there are no pass-outs between the campground and festival during the show.
