Bluesfest Announces 2026 Return After Record Attendance

After initially announcing a 'final' edition, organizers of Australia's Byron Bay Bluesfest have confirmed the festival will return in 2026 following record-breaking attendance at the 2025 event. The 2025 festival drew 109,000 attendees, making it the largest Australian festival since before the pandemic and reflecting strong public demand for live music events. Bluesfest Director Peter Noble revealed that hints at ending the festival were aimed at drawing government attention to the struggling festival sector, which has since seen proposals for increased support, including direct grants and industry reforms. The 2025 Bluesfest showcased both established and emerging talent, with notable moments such as Tones and I performing on the stage where she began her career and a busking competition highlighting rising stars. Tickets for the 2026 edition are already on sale, signaling optimism for the festival's future and the broader resurgence of live music in Australia. The announcement coincided with new government and political efforts to support the country's live music and festival industry.