The Best Music Festivals in Australia 2023

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 that'll make the most confident of men self-conscious, 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 d 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.

 

(Click on the headers or images for FAQs and more information about each festival, and make sure to secure tickets in the boxes below each event.)

 

 

 

Byron Bay Bluesfest

 

Image: Byron Bay Bluesfest on Facebook

When: Thursday 6th April – Monday 10th April 2023

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, 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 a lineup like this one, even the lesser fans of the genre will have a hard time not seeing how great it's going to be. Paolo Nuttini, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Beck, Gang of youths, Tash Sultana and many, many more pepper its lineup. You shouldn't need more convincing than that, plus it's still yet to happen this year, so your Aussie adventure can start right away.

 

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Splendour In The Grass

Image: Splendour In The Grass on Facebook

When: July 2023, Dates TBA

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 I've long in the memory.

Whilst last year's return may have been a muddy one (which they made hilariously self-deprecating jokes about as seen above), the lineup and festival were still fantastic, with the likes of The Strokes, Tyler The Creator, DMAs, Glass Animals, and Liam Gallagher playing.

Plus, in 2023, Splendour in the Grass is celebrating its 21-year anniversary, and whilst this year's lineup isn't out yet, if last year is anything to go off of, it's going to be a belter. 

 

 

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Falls Festival

Image: Falls Festival on Facebook

When: Dates across the New Year, see above

Where: Birregurra Vic, Byron Bay NSW, Fremantle WA - Australia

The Falls festival is a bit of an outlier in the Aussie festival landscape, mainly as it's based on European-style events, both in set-up and artists. It regularly features a diverse mix of over 70 renowned bands, DJs and comedians from throughout Australia with a smattering of incredible worldwide talent, all of whom come together for an event like no other.

Happening across three different concurrent cities, bringing in the new year in byron Bay, the festival is an iconic end to the year. Plus, if the 2023/24 edition is anything like last year, with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Chvrches, Camelhat, Spacey Jane, and Ocean Alley playing, your New Year will forever be ruined, as they'll never beat this one.

 

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Laneway Festival

Image: Laneway Festival on Facebook

When: Dates throughout February

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

Now this one is quite special. It's incredibly rare that you'll find a festival elsewhere in the world that tours like a band does. But, Laneway is just that guy. 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 has just returned to Australia in 2023 for another year of epic festival shenanigans and top-notch music. Whilst you may have just missed out on this one in 2023, keep your eyes peeled for announcements, as from what we've seen from this year, it's going to be a belter for years to come.

 

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Strawberry Fields

Image: Strawberry Fields on Facebook

When: Friday 17th - Sunday 19th November 2023

Where: Tocumwal, New South Wales, Australia

Whilst unfortunately last year's edition of Strawberry Field was cancelled due to the mass floods in Australia, the festival promises to return in 2023 with a vengeance. 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.

 

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Groovin The Moo

Image: Groovin In The Moo on Facebook

When: Dates throughout April/May 2023

Where: Wayville SA, Maitland NSW, Canberra ACT, Bendigo VIC, Sunshine Coast QLD, Bunbury WA - Australia

Set on the cusp of the Australian Winter, and one of the last big parties before the chill hits, Groovin The Moo is a key player in the Australian festival scene, and has become a place for those seeking warmth, and a space for like-minded people to gather and open their ears to both new and familiar sounds.

Each year the festival travels the country, producing six one-day festivals in six different cities, and the line-ups are no joke. The 2023 edition sees the likes of Alt-J, The Chats, Denzel Curry, Fatboy Slim, Ocean Alley, and Skepta, all come together for a diverse day of the best music from across the globe and down under. If you're looking to not wait long to get in on the Australian festival action, this is the place for you.

 

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Lost Paradise

Image: Lost Paradise on Facebook

When: Thursday 28th December 2023 - Monday 1st January 2024

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 Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Peggy Gou, and Jamie XX, as well as huge Aussie Talent like Ocean Alley, Spacey Jane, and G-Flip; there are few doubts that this year ending bash is only going bigger and better next time around.

 

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Beyond The Valley

Image: Beyond The Valley Festival on Facebook

When: Thursday 28th - Monday 1st January 2023

Where: Gippsland Parklands in Lardner, Victoria, Australia

Beyond The valley has been a mainstay on the Aussie Circuit for a while now. Distinctive, unique, and one of the most of all 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 thier nationally and internationally acclaimed artists to life. Not one to miss.

 

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Ultra Australia

Image: Ultra Australia on Facebook

When: Saturday, April 15th 2023

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, jaw-dropping technological marvels and wicked custom stages, are aplenty and add unfailingly to the festival atmosphere, and the beautiful backdrop of some of the finest in the Australian landscape doesn'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. If you are a raver that fancies an escape this April, you know what to do.

 

 

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Spilt Milk

Image: Spilt Milk on Facebook

When: TBA

Where: Ballarat, Victoria Park, Australia

After two years of waiting eagerly on the sidelines, Spilt Milk returned in 2022 for an eagerly anticipated weekend of incredible music, weather and vibes. Now relocated to Exhibition Park, a venue holding around twice the number of punters Spilt Milk had in years past, the Ballarat festival looked like it had never left. With the likes of Flume headlining, and a li neup focused on local talent supporting the big names, there are few festivals in the whole of Australia that support the locals like Spilt Milk.

Whilst we're still awaiting details of the 2023 edition, we just know their going to want to go bigger and better, and we cant wait to be down at the front, boogying whilst lathered in suncream, right along side you,

 

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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.