RUNNING
Byron Bay Surf Festival
13 Mar 2026 – 15 Mar 2026
Byron Bay (multiple venues)
3-day surf film + shaping + workshops festival, smaller than the music festivals.
Status: RUNNING March 2026 — confirm dates on official site.
Calendar
Byron Bay festivals + events 2026
Most Byron tourism sites still list dead festivals. We don't. Bluesfest 2026 was cancelled. Splendour is on hiatus. Falls Festival was discontinued. Here's the honest current picture — and the events that are actually running.
Schoolies week alert (21 Nov – 12 Dec 2026)Hostel rates 2-3× normal during peak week (Nov 28 – Dec 5). Many hostels close to non-Schoolies bookings entirely. Plan to arrive before 21 November or after 12 December — or read our full Schoolies survival guide for backpackers which covers retreat options (Brunswick Heads / Mullumbimby / Lennox Head), what stays open, and rate impacts per hostel.
Showing 10 of 10 events
RUNNING
Nimbin MardiGrass
2 May 2026 – 3 May 2026
Nimbin
Cannabis law-reform protestival in Nimbin (1 hr from Byron). First weekend of May.
Status: RUNNING — first weekend of May annually.
RUNNING
Byron Writers Festival
14 Aug 2026 – 16 Aug 2026
Byron Community Centre + various
30th anniversary edition. Day passes + ticketed evening events across Byron Community Centre, Byron Theatre, Surf Club, Beach Hotel and Haven.
Status: RUNNING 14-16 August 2026. 30th anniversary year.
⚠ Affects hostel pricing + availability — book early.
RUNNING
Sample Food Festival Bangalow
5 Sept 2026 – 5 Sept 2026
Bangalow Showground
One-day food festival in Bangalow (15 min from Byron). 100+ producers, chef demos.
Status: RUNNING September 2026 — confirm date on official site.
RUNNING
Byron Spirit Festival
25 Sept 2026 – 27 Sept 2026
Byron Events Farm
Wellness, yoga, conscious-music festival at Byron Events Farm. Multi-day program.
Status: RUNNING late September 2026 — confirm exact dates on official site.
⚠ Affects hostel pricing + availability — book early.
RUNNING
Mullum Music Festival
19 Nov 2026 – 22 Nov 2026
Mullumbimby village-wide
Intimate village-wide gig format across multiple Mullumbimby venues. November 2026.
Status: RUNNING November 2026 — confirm dates on official site.
RUNNING
Schoolies Week Byron Bay
21 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026
Byron Bay town
Three weeks of school-leaver celebrations affecting all backpacker accommodation. Week 1: 21-28 Nov. Week 2 (peak): 28 Nov – 5 Dec. Week 3: 5-12 Dec. Hostel rates 2-3x normal; many hostels close to non-schoolie bookings entirely. Plan to arrive before 21 Nov or after 12 Dec, or retreat to Brunswick Heads / Mullumbimby / Lennox Head during the peak.
Status: RUNNING — affects all hostel pricing and availability. Week 2 (Nov 28-Dec 5) peak.
⚠ Affects hostel pricing + availability — book early.
CANCELLED
Bluesfest Byron Bay
2 Apr 2026 – 5 Apr 2026
Byron Events Farm
Australia's premier blues + roots festival, traditionally Easter weekend at Byron Events Farm. Originally to feature Split Enz, Earth Wind & Fire, Sublime, Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, Counting Crows, Pogues, Marcus King for the 2026 edition.
Status: CANCELLED 13 March 2026 after announcing 2025 would be its last but attempting return. Future of the festival uncertain. Watch bluesfest.com.au for any 2027 announcement.
ON HIATUS
Splendour in the Grass
North Byron Parklands
Australia's largest contemporary music festival, traditionally late July at North Byron Parklands.
Status: 2024 cancelled, 2025 cancelled, no 2026 event announced. Effectively on hiatus after 23-year run. Live Nation has not confirmed return.
DISCONTINUED
Falls Festival Byron
North Byron Parklands
Multi-city NYE festival; Byron edition traditionally at North Byron Parklands.
Status: Discontinued nationally after 2022/23 edition. No return announced.
Plan around the festival calendar
- → Hostel pricing rises 2-3× during peak week — compare the 10 active properties
- → Airport shuttles + east-coast bus passes for arriving around festival dates
- → Surf schools, kayak + dive tours that still run during Schoolies week
- → WHV workers — Schoolies is peak hospitality earning season
- → Where to eat + drink (and which venues run wristband entry in peak week)
Official tourism sources we cross-reference: Destination NSW events calendar · Byron Shire Council events listing.