Introduce your little adventurers to a world of music and art at these kid-friendly festivals.
Introduce your little adventurers to a wonderful world of music, art and live entertainment at Australia’s best festivals designed to delight parents and kids alike.
Woodford Folk Festival
Where Woodford, Sunshine Coast, QLD
When 27 December 2018–1 January 2019
Ring in the New Year at the 33rd edition of this annual gathering of 2,000-plus artists, musicians and performers. Within the 200-hectare ‘Woodfordia’, an hour’s drive northwest of Brisbane, little festival-goers have their very own Children’s Festival, a space that combines traditional kids’ fun – like face-painting, puppetry and storytelling – with over 300 workshops and performances in yoga, Indigenous dance, art and language, permaculture, circus arts and music-making, not to mention Grammy award-winning acts and a special conversation with scientist Dr Karl. woodfordfolkfestival.com
Parkes Elvis Festival
Where Parkes, NSW
When 8–13 January 2019
Take a trip to the early days of rock and roll at this unmissable festival dedicated to “the King” in Central West NSW.
Always held around his birthday, the celebration has grown to encompass more than 200 events over five days. Little Elvis fans can get into the swing with parades, dancing, free entertainment, old-fashioned lemonade stalls and their own Junior Tribute to Elvis singing competition. parkeselvisfestival.com.au
St Kilda Festival
Where St Kilda, Melbourne, VIC
When 10 February 2019
This free summer celebration takes over the St Kilda foreshore on the second Sunday of February each year. While the headline acts take over the main stage, Little Catani is where families can go to soak up a chilled-out vibe of face-painting, interactive roving performers and artists and games at The City of Port Phillip Story Hub. Little Catani Stage will also host a yoga class and kid-friendly acts spanning genres from hip-hop and rap to electro-folk and gypsy. stkildafestival.com.au
MONA FOMA
Where Launceston, TAS
When 13–20 January 2019
The diverse line-up – from Courtney Barnett to the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra with Finnish violist Satu Vänskä – at this massive festival makes it a great choice for all types of music-loving families, with kids 12 and under welcomed into the main Inveresk Precinct for free.
For a slower start to the day, head to the Fairy Dell at Cataract Gorge for the paredback Morning Meditation sessions in a picturesque setting. mofo.net.au
Tamworth Country Music Festival
Where Tamworth, NSW
When 18–27 January 2019
As Australia’s largest music festival, this 10-day extravaganza – encompassing the annual Golden Guitar Awards – is a must-see, with more than 600 buskers entertaining the masses along Peel Street alone. There are free family-friendly concerts every night under the stars at Toyota Park, the unmissable floats of the Toyota Country Music Cavalcade and a whole Family Zone with rides and activities for all ages on offer. If you have little ones, wow them with a view from the 26-metrehigh ferris wheel. tcmf.com.au
Nannup Music Festival
Where Nannup, WA
When 1–4 March 2019
This small timber town in the South West region of WA comes alive for the Labour Day long weekend with music, art, markets, bush poetry and good vibes. Although little guests are welcome everywhere, they also have their own special space, The Playground, home to Lookseedo workshops, the Emerging Artist Award presentation and dedicated family performances. nannupmusicfestival.org
WOMADelaide
Where Adelaide, SA
When 8–11 March 2019
Discover a cornucopia of contemporary and traditional world music, art and dance, from the West African diva Angélique Kidjo to Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir. Kids aged 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult, and they’re sure to make a beeline straight for the KidZone, a stroller-friendly space for storytelling, dress-ups, scientific discovery and hands-on activities. womadelaide.com.au
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Where Port Fairy, VIC
When 8–11 March 2019
This Great Ocean Road town has been gathering the best world, roots and acoustic artists for its annual festival since 1977. Family Frolics is where it’s at for young festival-goers, with roaming performers (keep an eye out for Gerard the Gorilla and the Sniffer Dogs), enormous bubbles, hula hoop and ninja workshops, loveable clown Crazy Daisy, belly dancing, interactive musicals and crazy stunts from Sport Suzie. portfairyfolkfestival.com
The National Folk Festival
Where Canberra, ACT
When 18–22 April 2019
This festival rolls into the nation’s capital every Easter, delighting fans of music, dance, spoken word, circus and all things folk with a program spanning 20 venues. Little ones have their own fun at KidzFest, with plenty of dress-ups, workshops and dedicated entertainment, like The Vegetable Plot (where veggies and music come together) and the Amazing Drumming Monkeys, a percussion act that is far from your average puppet show. folkfestival.org.au
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Where Byron Bay, NSW
When 18–22 April 2019
This pioneering blues festival embodies the best of laid-back Byron Bay, with acts from around the world. The 30th anniversary brings together 200 performances for five days of musical fun and kids’ activities. Last year’s program featured face-painting, clowning, magic, games and more for little ones, with an even more exciting line-up of activities planned for 2019. bluesfest.com.au
Barunga Festival
Where Barunga, NT
When 7–9 June 2019
The remote Indigenous community of Barunga, 80 kilometres south of Katherine, welcomes some 4,000 guests to its celebration of music, sport and tradition every Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Beginin Pleis (Kids’ Place) features jumping castles, a ‘dance dome’ and water slides, and there’s a disco run by local kids. Families can meet local artists, join a heritage tour and take a spear-making workshop. barungafestival.com.au
The Big Red Bash
Where Birdsville, Simpson Desert, QLD
When 16–18 July 2019
Billed as the world’s most remote music festival, this gathering takes place under the endless skies of the Simpson Desert. Not only are the kids welcome but so are your four-legged canine friends, with dogfriendly spaces in the concert area. When you’re not enjoying the musical acts (Midnight Oil are billed to headline), you can join the Bashville Drags (a running race in drag!) in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service or boogie board down the mega-dune. bigredbash.com.au