Saddle up. Strummingbird is officially making its return in 2026, today revealing the dates and locations of the 2026 festival..
After bursting onto the scene in 2025 with sold-out crowds and a lineup that blended global heavy hitters with Australia’s rising stars, the modern country festival has confirmed it’ll be back this October, hitting familiar favourites Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast - while adding a brand new stop in Ballarat.
Yep, Victoria’s goldfields are getting their own slice of the action.
Lock in the dates:
Saturday 10 October - Ballarat, VIC
Saturday 17 October - Newcastle, NSW
Sunday 18 October - Sunshine Coast, QLD
The Ballarat addition feels like a natural next step for a festival that’s all about bringing big moments to regional communities. It’s a town with a strong live music pulse and a crowd that knows how to show up - exactly the kind of energy Strummingbird thrives on.
If last year was anything to go by, 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger. The inaugural event delivered a stacked lineup featuring names like Jelly Roll, Shaboozey and Treaty Oak Revival alongside homegrown favourites including James Johnston, Kaylee Bell and Wade Forster. It was a big first move and one that paid off, with punters turning out in droves and proving there’s a serious appetite for a fresh, modern country festival in Australia.
And while the 2026 lineup is still under wraps (for now), the promise of “a superior crop of homegrown and international acts” has already kicked speculation into overdrive.
Official teasers so far have hinted towards acts like Post Malone, Bailey Zimmerman and Sons of the East being on the 2026 line up, but you can see our full list of predictions here.
Beyond the music, Strummingbird is doubling down on the full experience. Expect the return of crowd-favourite activations like the Silver Spur Saloon, plus line dancing, curated food and drink, and plenty of country-inspired fashion moments.
That’s been part of the festival’s appeal from day one: it doesn’t feel stuck in tradition. Instead, it taps into where country music is right now - blending genres, welcoming new fans, and creating a space that feels just as at home for die hard listeners as it does for the country curious crowd.
The countdown is officially on, with the full lineup dropping Tuesday 5 May. If last year’s demand is anything to go by, you’ll want to be quick.
Registrations for presale access are open now at strummingbird.com.au
STRUMMINGBIRD 2026
Saturday 10 October - Ballarat, VIC
Saturday 17 October - Newcastle, NSW
Sunday 18 October - Sunshine Coast, QLD
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
