Great Southern Nights returns in 2026 with a stack of artists and new festival initiatives

Great Southern Nights is thrilled to return in 2026. Taking place from 1 - 17 May 2026, Great Southern Nights brings some of Australia’s finest acts to all corners of the state, supercharging arts and cultural events in NSW.

Backed by NSW Government, Great Southern Nights is Australia’s first and only state-wide live music initiative, supporting artists, venues and the broader industry. In 2026, Great Southern Nights will activate far and wide across the state, with over 300 gigs taking place in more than 200 venues across Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Dubbo, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, South Coast and Orange.

With the program being revealed today, Great Southern Nights is excited to announce a new series of events called Live Fest, a single day offering, with uniquely programmed line ups in Dubbo and Tamworth. On top of the incredible music, Live Fest encourages attendees to grab friends, plan a roadtrip, make a weekend of it and explore everything these regions have to offer.

LIVE FEST DUBBO

Great Southern Nights opens with a weekend of spectacular music and scenery at Dubbo’s Lazy River Estate on Saturday 2 May 2026, featuring multiple ARIA Hall of Fame inductees and some of Australia’s most revered acts;

PAUL KELLY

MISSY HIGGINS

THE CRUEL SEA

THE CAT EMPIRE

KASEY CHAMBERS

and JESS HITCHCOCK

The beautifully manicured grounds and rolling vineyards leading down to the Macquarie River form a stunning backdrop for this family friendly, licensed/all ages event and is the perfect way to open the 2026 iteration of Great Southern Nights.

Paul Kelly said; “Really looking forward to bringing our travelling caravan to Dubbo and playing under those big skies. It’s been too long!”

LIVE FEST TAMWORTH

On Saturday 9 May, Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre plays host to Live Fest offering some of Australia’s finest dance, rock and indie-pop icons, featuring;

LIME CORDIALE

JET

THE LIVING END

THELMA PLUM

and KITA ALEXANDER

Dust off the dancing shoes and settle in for an epic evening!

GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS 2026 PROGRAM

Returning for the fifth edition, Great Southern Nights 2026 features some of Australia’s most recognised names from The Living End and Pete Murray to rising stars like BOY SODA, MAY-A and Playlunch. With over 300 gigs across the program, the stacked line up has something for music lovers across all generations and genres.

Get to know your Great Southern Nights 2026 line up, featuring in alphabetical order; 

3% | AMBER LAWRENCE | AUGIE MARCH | BAKER BOY | BALL PARK MUSIC

BEDDY RAYS | BLISS N ESO | BOY SODA | CLOUD CONTROL | DUNE RATS

ELECTRIC FIELDS | EMMA DONOVAN | GENESIS OWUSU | GORDI | HANNAH JOY

HATCHIE | HELLIONS | JACK RIVER | JAGUAR JONZE | JAMES REYNE

JESSICA MAUBOY | JK-47 | JON STEVENS | KAH-LO (Nigeria)

KELI HOLIDAY | KLP | LARISSA LAMBERT | LISA SIMONE (USA)

MADDY JANE | MAY-A | MEG MAC | MEMPHIS LK | PANIA

PEKING DUK | PETE MURRAY | PLAYLUNCH | REGURGITATOR | SARA BERKI

 SHANE HOWARD + SHANE NICHOLSON + SARA STORER | SONS OF THE EAST

STEPH STRINGS | THE GROGANS | THE JUNGLE GIANTS | THE LIVING END

THE TERRYS | THE VANNS  | THE WHITLAMS (Orchestral) | THEM & I

 THUNDERCAT (USA) | TRIALS |  VV PETE | WAAX

WHAT SO NOT | WILSN | YOUNG FRANCO

And more to be announced!  

True to form, Great Southern Nights’ program covers a wide range of genres with some of the finest pop, indie rock and dance heavyweights like Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants, Peking Duk and Young Franco. Enjoy household names like Jessica Mauboy and The Whitlams (Orchestral) along with indie singer-songwriters like Jack River, Meg Mac, Gordi and Hatchie.

Hatchie said:

“So stoked to be joining forces with Great Southern Nights this May! I can't wait to be back with our old pals GAUCI in Sydney at such an intimate venue.“

There’s country, roots, soul and folk offerings from Steph Strings, Emma Donovan, Wilsn and more as they head to stages across the state. Rap, hip hop and RnB fans can enjoy incredible sets from Baker Boy, JK-47, Genesis Owusu and Vv Pete. 

Baker Boy said;

“Pumped to get to collaborate with Great Southern Nights again to take the Baker Boy show to the Northern Beaches. Looking forward to bringing DJANDJAY to Dee Why RSL!”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism The Hon. Steve Kamper said:

“Great Southern Nights shows the power of live music to bring people together and create energy in communities right across NSW. When you see local venues buzzing and artists performing in towns big and small, you really feel the impact these experiences have beyond the stage.

Live Fest adds a new layer to the program, especially for regional centres like Dubbo and Tamworth giving people a reason to turn a great night out into a greater short break.

Great Southern Nights is exactly the kind of event that helps showcase what metro and regional NSW has to offer and strengthens our reputation as a leading destination for live music and cultural experiences.”

CEO of ARIA Annabelle Herd said:

“Great Southern Nights is about connecting audiences of all ages across NSW with the unique joy of great live music and showing up for the places that support it. Bringing iconic artists to multiple regions across NSW creates big, shared moments for local communities, friends, and families.”

The diverse line up of artists coupled with the best live music venues across the state create the perfect occasion for visitors to turn a gig into an unforgettable weekend across Greater Sydney and NSW, exploring the State’s glittering coastline, thriving regional towns and stunning natural landscapes.

For tickets and more information, head to greatsouthernnights.com.au

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKOK | YOUTUBE

Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative delivered via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Photograph : The Rions at The Sunken Monkey, Great Southern Nights 2025 (credit Mason Ellis)