Bust out your fancy dress outfits, camping gear, and get your squad together – because New Years Eve is upon us, and there are some epic festivals in Australia to choose from!
In my opinion, there is no better place to celebrate the new year than at a music festival! The energy and atmosphere that’s created when you’re surrounded by friendly people, incredible music, and beautiful scenery is simply unbeatable!
When it comes to music festivals in Australia, there really is no shortage of quality events. I decided to do some research and find out the best festivals in the country to celebrate the new year. If you don’t have your new years eve plans sorted yet, definitely look into one of these incredible events!
1) Lost Paradise
When: December 28, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Where: Glenworth Valley, New South Wales, Australia (75 minutes outside Sydney)
“LOST PARADISE WAS BORN OUT OF A LIFE-LONG DREAM TO BRING TOGETHER KINDRED SPIRITS FOR A GOOD OLD FASHIONED PARTY AMONGST NATURE…”
One of Sydney’s most popular music festivals is back for another 3 days of camping, music, food, art, and yoga. The festival community you’ll find while at Lost Paradise is what makes this event so special, and it’s definitely one of the best music festivals in Australia.
I was one of the festival photographers in 2016. Read my Lost Paradise Festival Review.
2) Beyond The Valley
When: December 28, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Where: Barunah Plains, Victoria
https://www.beyondthevalley.com.au
This 4-day festival is guaranteed to be an experience you’ll never forget. I personally think that Beyond The Valley has the best line-up of all the festivals on the list, and if I were down in Melbourne over New Years Eve – this is where I would be…
“For our eighth edition, we are excited to welcome you back to our home at Barunah Plains, a picturesque haven located on the lands of the Wadawurrung & Eastern Marr Peoples, with the perfect natural ampitheatre for an unforgettable festival experience.
Expect world-class production, architecturally designed stages, state-of-the-art sound design, mesmerising art and elevated bespoke custom experiences.”
3) Falls Festival
When: December-January, 2024 (TBC)
Where: Various locations across different states
“The Falls Music & Arts Festival has been at the forefront of the east coast Australian festival scene, defining the real difference between a mere music festival and a true festival experience. Capturing the essence of the Australian summer spirit, Falls embraces diversity, sustainability, and community within a contemporary music event like no other. Transcending the common festival model, taking the time to curate a sophisticated experience that properly respects and honors time, people and place.”
Falls Festival is one of Australia’s longest-running music festivals, and each edition they seem to manage to top the previous years. The festival always provides incredible line-ups, massive stage productions, and a solid festival atmosphere. What’s even better is they have four different events throughout the country during the New Years Eve season, so they make is pretty easy to catch at least one of the events!
4) NYE in the Park
When: December 31, 2024 (TBC)
Where: Victoria Park, Sydney
“Sydney’s only NYE festival! Join us at Victoria Park for the Best. New Year’s. Ever!”
5) NYE On The Hill
When: Over NYE, 2024
Where: South Gippsland, Victoria
https://www.nyeonthehill.com.au
“NYE on the Hill is a boutique Australian music and camping festival for good-vibing, music-loving friends and friends-of-friends.”
6) Woodford Folk Festival
When: December 27, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Where: Moreton Bay, Queensland
“The Woodford Folk Festival is held annually over six days and six nights, from Dec 27th through to January 1st. More than 2,000 local, national and international, artists, musicians and presenters put on over 500 acts to an audience of an estimated 132,000 people. The festival begins each year with the iconic Opening Ceremony and closes with the spectacular showcase, the Fire Event on New Year’s Day. This year will be the 36th Woodford Folk Festival and the 28th held at Woodfordia. It is the largest gathering of artists and musicians in Australia.
The Woodford festival experience is deep, rich and colourful. It is based on a vision of inclusive and creative community, culture and tradition passed through generations, expressed through story and ceremony. The site, a former barren dairy farm, has been lovingly regenerated with over 120,000 subtropical rain forest trees, orchids, ferns and sedges, planted to create a habitat for butterflies and wildlife.”
7) Heaps Good
When: December 31, 2024
Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
“Heaps Good is actually from the same producers behind Falls and had a test drive in Adelaide in 2023. After its success, it’s now on track to becoming one of the hottest events on the Aussie music festival circuit. As well as Melbourne, the festival is also heading to Queensland and returning again to South Australia.”
8) Field Day
When: January 1, 2025
Where: The Domain, Sydney, New South Wales
“Field Day is an outdoor music festival held every year on New Year’s Day in Sydney at The Domain. It is a one-day music festival showcasing hip-hop, house, indie and electronic artists from all over the world. The event has been running since 2002 and has become a popular annual music event, attracting over 20,000 people.”
9) Good As NYE
When: New Year’s Eve, 2024
Where: Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley, New South Wales
www.beachcomberhotelandresort.com.au
“GOOD AS is back at The Beachie this NYE!”
“Central Coast’s biggest-ticket item this New Year’s Eve is hosted by Good As, and will see the likes of Odd Mob, KLP and LO’99 take to the stage at Toukley’s Beachcomber Hotel. DJ Dave Winnel, who recently collaborated with KLP for triple j’s Like A Version, will also perform on the evening, alongside fellow producer Tay G. Tickets to Good As NYE at The Beachie can be found here.”
10) Harbour Party Sydney
When: New Year’s Eve, 2024
Where: Luna Park, Sydney, Australia
“Step into the New Year with unparalleled FUN at Luna Park Sydney! Boasting an unrivalled view of the Sydney Harbour fireworks, unlimited rides, live DJs, and a first-of-its kind immersive underwater bar, it’s the centre of celebration.”
11) Field Trip Festival
When: December 31, 2024
Where: Bonython Park, Adelaide, South Australia
https://www.fieldtripfestival.com.au
“Field Trip is an independently run music festival, held in Bonython Park with local and international artists. A true festival experience with live music.”
12) SNACK Festival NYE
When: December 31, 2024
Where: Claremont Showgrounds, Perth, Australia
“The Perth festival made to satisfy. Home to the iconic SNACK boombox stage and all the tasty festival treats that will leave you craving more.”
Am I Missing Any Other New Years Festivals in Australia?
While I like to think I’m pretty knowledgeable on the subject, I’d love to hear of any others I may be missing! So if you think I need to add any specific festival, party, concert, or event – please do let me know so I can keep this blog post as up-to-date as possible!
So where will you be spending New Year’s Eve in Australia?
Now I’ve only personally attended Lost Paradise when I was living down in Sydney, but I can guarantee you’d have the time of your life if you go!
Planning a trip to Australia…?
I’ve spent A LOT of time living, working, and traveling around Australia, and it’s truly one of my favorite countries in the entire world. My travel blog is filled with helpful destination guides, travel itineraries, and stunning photography, and I’d love for you to check out a few of my favorite posts below! As well, if you ever have any questions about traveling Australia, feel free to message me on Instagram and I’d be happy to help any way I can!
- The Ultimate SYDNEY ITINERARY | How to Spend 4-7 Days Exploring Sydney
- The BEST MELBOURNE Itinerary | How to Spend 4-7 Days Exploring Melbourne
- The Best PERTH Itinerary | How to Spend a Week Exploring Perth
- The 20 Best Things to Do in Airlie Beach, Australia
- The 13 Best Things to do in Surfer’s Paradise & The Gold Coast
- The 19 Best Things to do in Byron Bay, Australia
- 14 Words You’ll Start Saying When you Move to Australia
- The Ultimate Guide for Moving to Sydney on a Working Holiday Visa
- My Australian Outback / Northern Territory Travel Itinerary
- Top 30 Music Festivals in Melbourne To Experience Before You Die
- Cairns – Sydney: The Ultimate Greyhound Bus Pass Itinerary
- The 20 Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne
- The 20 Best Day Trips From Melbourne
- Top 20 Adelaide Music Festivals To Experience Before You Die
- The 20 Best Brisbane Festivals To Experience BEfore You Die
Field Day in Sydney is also another one of my all time favourites!
Yeah definitely! I’ve been to Field Day and loved it!