Besides its natural beauty, spectacular beaches, and great local cafes and pubs, Byron Bay is home to premier music events and festivals. Some have been around for decades, others are new and growing fast, but they all pull in bands from around the world, along with the best of Australia’s musical talent.
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Byron Bay Bluesfest is Australia’s largest and probably best contemporary Blues & Roots Music Festival. Held annually on the Easter long weekend at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, this festival features global musicians for 5, 12-hour days of performances.
Bluesfest started in 1990 at the Byron Bay Arts Factory (then it was called The East Coast Blues Festival) and drew 1500 blues music fans per day. Nowadays the festival attracts an audience of over 100,000. Just a few of the musicians who perform at Bluesfest: Bob Dylan, Hozier, Paul Simon, Robert Plant, John Legend & BB King, Jurassic 5, James Brown, Angus & Julia Stone, David Gray, Trombone Shorty, Angelique Kidjo, and Alabama Shakes.
Byron Bay Bluesfest hosts over 200 performances on various stages, plus 100 food and market stalls, undercover food courts, beer gardens, and children’s entertainment. This festival is one of the foremost in Australia and has a reputation as a safe, fun, family-friendly event. The 120-hectare Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm is just north of Byron Bay, NSW, and offers ample facilities and car parking for day festival holder passes. It’s not far from East Ballina, and so worth it.
If you don’t want to park at the festival site, you can hop a shuttle bus from the Byron Bay town centre or from surrounding towns. The dates for Bluesfest 2019 are Thursday 18 April to Monday 22 April. Check out their website for up-to-date info.
Splendour in the Grass
The Splendour in the Grass Music and Arts Festival is on its 18th year in 2018 and going strong. It’s up there with Coachella for music, visual art, atmosphere, and youthful energy.
The 2018 Splendour in the Grass will take place at North Byron Parklands from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 July, 2018. The Parklands is 9km north of Brunswick Heads, on the Tweed Valley Way—a 15 minute drive from Byron Bay. You can catch a bus from surrounding locations (including Ballina) to avoid parking at the festival, or buy a parking pass and slip out in a hurry.
This year’s festival will feature dozens of Australian and international indie, hip hop, pop, punk, and rock bands (many of whom are making this their only show in Australia). Khalid, The Wombats, Hilltop Hoods, Lorde, Miguel, Girl Talk, Angus & Julia Stone, Gang of Youths, Franz Ferdinand, Henry Rollins, MGMT, Dune Rats & Friends, Methyl Ethel, The Bronx, The Jungle Giants, Ocean Alley, Alex the Astronaut, Middle Kids, Kendrick Lamar, and Antony & Cleopatra are just a few of the bands performing over the 3-day festival.
Check out their website for current info and dates.
Falls Festival
2018 is the 25th anniversary of the Falls Festival. This summer festival happens in several locations (Lorne, Marion Bay, Byron Bay and Fremantle). The North Byron Parklands will host the New Year’s events—31 December 2018 to January 02 2019.
The Falls Festival attracts amazing musicians from many genres. This year’s Byron Bay festival is presenting Fleet Foxes, Liam Gallagher, Flume, Methyl Ethyl, Run the Jewels, Jungle, Dram, Dune Rats, Angus & Julia Stone, Vince Staples, Luca Brasi, and many more bands on 4 different stages. There are ample food and drink venues, plus plenty of merchandise for sale.
If you plan to drive to the Falls Festival from Ballina, you’ll need a car pass ($40). Or you can take a shuttle bus to the North Byron Parklands from Suffolk Park.
Check out the Falls Festival website for current information.
Want to experience a luxury beach holiday?
Ocean Blue holiday rental is only a 5-minute walk from the beach and has gorgeous river and coastal views. Located just a short drive from Ballina Airport and 30 minutes from Byron Bay, this is the perfect location for your next beach holiday. Visit our contact page to make an inquiry or booking.
