It’s that time of the year when Aussie music lovers start making plans to attend major gigs and festivals ahead of the summer (which can’t come soon enough).
Festivals and concerts are coming up fast, and tickets are sure to be in demand, so now’s the right time to be sussing out upcoming music concerts and deciding which ones to hit up.
There’s a massive amount of choice out there, and it can be hard to know where to get started. Here, we break down the top upcoming Australian concerts and festivals – and tell you everything you need to know.
SXSW Sydney
Countless star acts will be heading to Sydney for this year’s SXSW in October, but some of the hottest artists confirmed to be playing so far include Slowwves and Sacred Hearts.
SXSW ticket prices have a wide range of costs but attendance to the full conference can be expensive, with a platinum conference pass on offer for an eye-watering $1,195.
However, festival wristbands can be purchased for $110 and there are various free events scheduled for during the week-long extravaganza, which takes place all over the city.
SXSW Sydney is expected to attract more than 100,000 people over the seven days of fun with even more upcoming concerts likely to be confirmed as part of the event as it nears.
AC/DC Australian Tour
Icons AC/DC are returning down under this November and December after months of speculation.
It’s been 10 long years since Angus Young and his bandmates toured the country but an AC DC tour 2025 Australia could be announced in the coming weeks. According to a recent report by Rolling Stone AU/NZ, the AC/DC tour Australia 2025 would be likely to feature a series of stadium dates.
Any AC/DC tour is a major event but fans will be hoping that the ticket prices are not too steep.
The AC/DC tour 2025 and Australia upcoming concerts could visit venues such as the Adelaide Oval, which was used for the Rock or Bust world tour a decade ago.
Lost Paradise
The next Lost Paradise dates are December 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026, in Glenworth Valley, NSW, with the event running over New Year’s Eve so punters can ring in the new year in style. Tickets aren’t available just yet, but fans can sign up to be the first to know when they drop.
Taking place in Glenworth Valley on the Central Coast of NSW, last year’s lineup featured acts including Fisher, Royel Otis, and Lola Young, setting high expectations for the next edition.
In the lead-up, plenty of festivalgoers have their own ways of keeping the anticipation alive, whether that’s revisiting playlists from past lineups or unwinding with a few games online — some even look into a no deposit bonus casino for a bit of light entertainment that doesn’t cost anything while they plan their festival adventures.
Beyond The Valley
Also taking place over the New Year period is Beyond The Valley, which is set for December 28 to January 1.
Claiming to be Australia’s biggest New Year’s festival, BTV for short is turning 10 this year, so it is set to be a particularly good year to cop tickets as it’s bound to be larger than ever. Tickets aren’t available just yet, with the lineup and set times to be confirmed in due course too.
Tamworth Country Music Festival
The next Tamworth Country Music Festival is set to take place from January 16-25 next year. The lineup is yet to be confirmed, but highlights of the 2025 event included Kix Live in the Park, which had stars like James Johnston, Zac & George, Taylor Moss, Denvah, Abbie Ferris and Robbie Mortimer.
This year’s festival attracted more than 300,000 people and with over 700 performers in free and ticketed events, but 2026 is set to be even bigger and better.
Entrance is free to the site of the festival, but there are certain performances that will be ticketed. The official Tamworth Country Music Festival website has more details on how to buy tickets and when they will be available to buy.
Adelaide Fringe
The next Adelaide Fringe has been confirmed for February 20 – March 22, 2026, with thousands of artists set to travel to take part and more people heading there to enjoy the event.
Known as the world’s second biggest arts festival – behind Edinburgh – the Adelaide Fringe Festival has regular venues such as The Garden of Unearthly Delights and Gluttony. The event runs alongside the likes of WOMADelaide in the city’s ‘Mad March’.
WOMADelaide
Coming back to Adelaide next March 6-9, WOMADelaide has been running since 1992.
WOMADelaide – the World of Music Arts & Dance in Adelaide takes place at Botanic Park, and it is sure to be one of the top events next year. No details of ticket prices or the lineup have yet to be confirmed, but this year’s event included 700 artists from 35 countries.
PJ Harvey was one of the global greats to play at WOMADelaide and more big names are sure to be heading to Adelaide, with organisers expected to start announcing acts in October.
Tips for Planning Upcoming Concerts
If you’re planning to cop tickets to one of the upcoming gigs or festivals hitting Australia late this year (and early next), there’s a few things to take into account when making your plans.
First up, take note of when tickets are set to go on sale and be ready to snap them up, especially if an event has a history of selling out.
For example, the AC/DC tour sold out a majority of its shows (or near to) in mere hours, so being ready to purchase tickets whenever they become available will be a must.
In the days leading up to the event, check the weather forecast and make sure to plan for potentially high temperatures by dressing appropriately and drinking plenty of water.
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