Looking for the best Byron Bay festivals in 2024!? Well, you’re in luck, however, keep in mind that Byron Bay is one of the strangest places in the world to visit! This Australian treasure is widely known as a Mecca for spiritual seekers and is conveniently tucked away in a beautiful coastal pocket of northern New South Wales.
Festivals in Byron Bay have been ranked as some of the best in the world, and that doesn’t just go for their world-class music festivals such as Bluesfest and Splendour in the Grass.
Byron Bay has a smorgasbord of festivals to meet any interest or niche. Food, beer, culture, spiritualism, yoga, film, weed and surfing. Take your pick.
My list of the best 15 Byron Bay festivals aims to inspire your next east coast road trip. And maybe a spiritual epiphany as well….
1) Splendour in the Grass
When: July, 2024
Where: North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay
Genre: Various
https://splendourinthegrass.com
“Its name alone, Splendour in the Grass, evokes lazy, languid afternoons and evenings hanging around, relaxing, soaking up summer’s rays and life’s best unplanned moments. Or maybe it makes you think of that old classic movie. Imagine instead, you’re looking at Australia and, in an effort to create a destination event during a slow period, the winter.
Never fear, the temps are mild enough for enjoyment—Byron Bay is a surfer’s paradise and home to lots of creative types. When you add a lineup of super popular artists, along with food trucks, teepees, crafts, a kids’ area, yoga, spa activities, workshops, speakers and the requisite circus performers—you get more things you could possibly do in three days. You get Splendour in the Grass.”
2) Byron Bay Bluesfest
When: March 28-April 1, 2024
Where: Tyagarah
Genre: Blues / Roots
“Each year the Byron Bay Bluesfest attracts some of the world’s biggest blues and roots performers for five days over the Easter long weekend (March or April). The festival delivers more than 200 gigs across multiple stages, as well as camping, food stalls and children’s entertainment. Over 105,000 music lovers attend to enjoy a diverse array of artists, gorgeous weather and the happy vibe around the festival.
3) Byron Latin Fiesta
When: October 31-November 3, 2024
Where: Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
Genre: Latin music
“An International & National Latin dance & music weekend festival held annually in Byron Bay. 4 Nights of Parties with live bands & DJs & 2 Days of dance Workshops.”
4) Mullum Music Festival
When: TBC, 2024
Where: Mullumbimby, NSW (20 minutes from Byron Bay)
Genre: Various
https://www.facebook.com/MullumMusicFestival/
“From humble beginnings, the picturesque village of Mullumbimby has hosted the Mullum Music Festival (MMF) since its inception in 2008. Nestled amongst the surrounding mountains in the Byron Bay hinterland, this diverse community of just over 3000 people has embraced this very different type of music event. The last decade has seen 600 world-class artists and thousands of people make their way to the festival, not bad for a little festival that started on the night of the electrical storm of the decade.”
5) Byron Bay Film Festival
When: October, 2024
Where: Various venues across the Byron Bay
Genre: Film Festival
“Each year some of the world’s most exciting film talent join thousands of film lovers at BBFF, over 10 fantastic days in beautiful Byron Bay, for a dynamic and truly distinctive film festival experience known for its trademark friendly, laid-back vibe and characteristically open, expressive and appreciative audiences. Independent filmmakers are the heart and soul of this festival, whose quality programming of hundreds of entertaining, inspiring and eye-opening films from over 40 countries sets the stage for filmmakers at all stages of their careers to showcase outstanding work across all genres.”
6) Byron Bay Starlight Festival
When: January 4-7, 2024
Where: Bangalow, NSW
Genre: Spirituality / New Age
http://www.starlightfestival.com.au
“Bathe in the Divine sounds of the Crystal Singing Bowls each morning at the Starlight Festival. Enjoy all day Yoga, with Byron Bay’s most renowned Yoga instructors. Discover your future with a psychic reading, experience a Shamanic drumming, connect with your souls journey in a transformational workshop, or simply relax and browse the main hall markets and enjoy our live music & vegan café.”
7) Byron Harmony Day Festival
When: May, 2024
Where: Mullumbimby, NSW (20 minutes from Byron Bay)
Genre: Cultural
https://www.facebook.com/byronharmonydayfestival/
“Byron Harmony Festival is a community celebration of cultural diversity with music, dance, workshops, food and market stalls. Following the Arakwal Indigenous Welcome to Country there will be performances celebrating the cultures of Rapa Nui (Easter island), Japan, Africa, Hawaii, India, Thailand, Turkey, Australia and others.”
8) Boomerang Festival
When: TBC, 2024
Where: Tyagarah
Genre: Indigenous / Cultural
https://www.boomerangfestival.com.au
“Boomerang is the first of its kind. Never has an Indigenous festival of this holistic calibre been so accessible; featuring an array of music, dance, theatre, comedy, film and visual arts, along with cultural knowledge exchanges and thought provoking conversations. Boomerang features the very best our original culture has to offer in the arts, talks and ideas, as well as emerging musicians, and dancers, workshops and much more. Hosted by the oldest living culture it’s a time to get up close and personal, there is nothing that quite matches the exchanges our audiences experience.”
9) Byron Bay Surf Festival
When: August, 2024
Where: Various locations across Byron Bay
Genre: Surf Culture
http://www.byronbaysurffestival.com.au
“Save the date. The Byron Bay Surf Festival is back. It’s time for some super surfing fun, chock full of sustainability, music, art, surf and culture. Wow. Say hello to annual favorites including the Surf Art Markets – now at twilight, Surf Legends Lounge, live music at the Beach Hotel and Freestyle & Stoke Surf Sessions at Wategos Beach. Meet this year’s epic line up of special guests including surfing World Champions, female leaders, inspiring musicians, photographers and artists. Get ready. It’s going to be fun.”
10) Byron Bay Tango Festival
When: May 3-5, 2024
Where: Byron Bay Community Centre, Byron Bay
Genre: Dance / Cultural
“Dear friends, it’s time to let go the lingering memories of pleasure, excitement and surprise of last year’s festival and prepare your imagination for new and fresh horizons. I know that this year’s choice of master teachers will excel in continuing the Byron Bay Festival tradition of being world class, cutting edge and most of all inspirational. The world of Argentine Tango is embracing enthusiastically the artistry of Carolina Giannini and Leonel di Cocco. Their performances are beautifully crafted and executed with the exuberance and abandon of youth and the precision of masters. We are in for a rare treat.”
11) Byron Writers Festival
When: August, 2024
Where: Byron Bay
Genre: Writing
https://byronwritersfestival.com
“For three days in August, 140 writers and thinkers will come together in Byron Bay to ponder the power of stories and the written word in shaping who we are. Now in its 23rd year, Byron Writers Festival has become famous for its relaxed and friendly vibe, open-air beachside location and compelling conversations spanning a mix of genres including music, art, environment, philosophy, health, politics, human rights and of course memoir and fiction.”
12) Nimbin Mardigrass
When: May, 2024
Where: Nimbin, NSW (1 hour from Byron Bay)
Genre: Cultural
“The Nimbin MardiGrass is an annual rally & celebration in the tiny village of Nimbin in northern NSW, Australia. Beginning in 1993, MardiGrass is held to protest the drug laws, educate people on the various uses of cannabis (medicinal, industrial, recreational & spiritual) and to celebrate the culture that has grown here over the last 40 years. Our mission is to bring about change with as much fun as possible.”
13) Byron Bay Music Festival
When: June, 2024
Where: Denning Park, Byron Bay
Genre: Music
https://www.byronmusicfestival.com.au
A celebration of iconic and emerging music of Byron Bay.
“BMF is an all-ages, all-inclusive community music event that celebrates the iconic and emerging artists of Bundjalung country (Northern Rivers NSW). Headed by a main event in Dening Park, we host a range of special pop up events around town, in venues and on the street – where it all began for many!
The Byron Music Festival is a reinvigoration of the local entertainment industry and an opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate our incredible music scene.”
14) Byron Bay Triathlon
When: May 11, 2024
Where: Main Beach, Byron Bay
Genre: Sport
“Iconic in destination, with a spectacular ocean swim, combined with Byron’s much-loved party atmosphere… it’s easy to see why the Byron Bay Tri is one of Australia’s favourite end of season celebrations. Known for its traditional Olympic race, and an annual Teams gathering. Sprint, Kids and Aquabike are the new growing events.”
15) Tropical Fruits NYE Festival
Image: Q News
When: Over NYE, 2024
Where: Lismore, NSW (45 minutes from Byron Bay)
Genre: Music / LGBT
https://tropicalfruits.org.au/events/nye
“The time has come friends! Introducing our New Year’s festival celebration ‘Bush Magik’
This year’s theme pays homage to the beauty and enchantment of this great land, while celebrating the connection between the Australian bush and the magikal forces that have shaped the landscapes of ourselves and each other as LGBTQ+ people.
Bush Magik is a return to our grassroots & rhizomes, a festival for up to 2000 people, consisting of three dance parties across the 30th (Camp party), 31st (NYE party) & the 1st (Recovery party), our renowned Cabaret (NYE) the crooked ‘Next Day Cabaret’ (NYD) as well as an arts & cultural program with panels, workshops & activities happening throughout. Camping is available from 27th-4th for up to 1000 people.”
Am I missing any epic Byron Bay festivals?
After compiling this list, I’m convinced that Byron Bay is one of the most unique and charming destinations in all of New South Wales! It seems likes there’s always something fun going on, and that just about everyone will find something they love about this small coastal city. If you think there’s any more festivals in Byron Bay that I need to add to this list, feel free to reach out to me!
Looking for more festivals in Australia…?
My website is filled with helpful articles just like this so you can find your next big festival, party, or upcoming event! Take a look through some of my favorites below!
- Top 20 Brisbane Music Festivals To Experience Before You Die
- 30 Music Festivals in AUSTRALIA to Experience Before You Die
- The 14 Best Music Festivals in SYDNEY To Add to Your Bucket List
- The 20 Best Music Festivals in Adelaide to Experience Before You Die
- Top 10 Music Festivals in Melbourne to Experience Before You Die
- The 25 Best Music Festivals in Asia To Experience Before You Die
- 44 Festival Accessories, Festival Gear & Must Haves | The Best Festival Packing List
- The Ultimate Music Festival Camping Packing List
Planning a trip to Australia…?
I’ve personally lived and worked in Sydney in the past, and Australia is one of my favorite countries in the world to travel through! I’ve written tons of articles that could be super helpful for heading down under anytime soon! Check out a few of my favorites below:
- THE ULTIMATE SYDNEY ITINERARY | How to Spend 4-7 Days Exploring Sydney
- The Best Melbourne Itinerary | How to Spend 4-7 Days Exploring Melbourne
- Sydney to Cairns | The Ultimate East Coast Greyhound Bus Pass Travel Itinerary
- How to Spend Two Days Exploring Manly Beach in Sydney
- The Ultimate Guide for Moving to Sydney on a Working Holiday Visa
Thanks for reading about these epic Byron Bay festivals!
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