ARIA Best Music Festival Award

Presented by Music Australia 

Winners of the 2025 ARIA Award for Best Music Festival: Laneway Festival
Credit: BCS Imaging

ENTER YOUR FESTIVAL

Entries are now open. Festival promoters can self-nominate through our online platform.

Celebrating Australian Artists on Festival Stages

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is thrilled to announce the ARIA Award for Best Music Festival will return for a second year with the support of Music Australia.

Developed in close partnership with the Australian Festival Association (AFA), this Award acknowledges festivals that offer breakthrough moments and essential exposure, transforming the careers of Australian artists by connecting them with wider audiences.

Why This Award Matters

Live music festivals are absolutely essential to the careers of Australia's recording artists. Festivals connect new audiences with artists, create critical opportunities for talent development, and play a pivotal role in showcasing the diversity and strength of our local music ecosystem.

Over half of Australian event-goers attended a music festival in the past year, with more than 70% viewing festivals as a rite of passage for young Australians. Festivals often provide the first big stage for emerging artists and remain one of the most powerful platforms for artist discovery in the country.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible for the ARIA Best Music Festival Award, festivals must meet the following key criteria:

Australian Content Requirement

Festivals must feature either:

• An Australian artist or band in the top billing tier (typically top 3-5 names) who performs a prime-time set on a main stage with recordings controlled or distributed by a current ARIA member
• AND/OR over 50% of all separately billed acts on the festival's official lineup are Australian

Additional Requirements

• Must be held in Australia within the eligibility period (1 September 2025- 31 August 2026)
• Must be a member of the Australian Festival Association with paid "Festival Membership" status
• Must have valid licences for public performance of music
• Must be a ticketed event with 2,000+ attendees
• Must have appropriate public liability insurance

Entry Process

Entry Fee: $400 (ex GST) - Discounts available for not-for-profit festivals

Judging: Nominees are voted on by the full ARIA Voting Academy

Award Presentation: The ARIA Award will be presented to the submitting festival promoter

ENTER YOUR FESTIVAL

Entries are now open. Festival promoters can self-nominate through our online platform.

Important Documents

Full Eligibility Criteria Complete details on all eligibility requirements and definitions

Terms and Conditions Conditions of entry, voting process, and award determinations

ARIA Code of Conduct Behaviour standards for all ARIA Awards participants

Privacy Collection Statement

Key Dates

Entries Open: 7 September 2026 (12pm AEST)

Eligibility Period: 1 September 2025 - 31 August 2026

Entry Deadline: 18 September 2026 (5pm AEST)

Questions?

For entry queries and technical support, please contact: Email: awards@aria.com.au