What's actually on in Byron this spring (and what isn't)

If you've seen old posters or travel blogs that make Byron sound like a festival every other weekend, here is an honest summary of where things stand on 15 November 2026. We keep this page-by-page list at our festivals page, but a short version is useful right now.

## Big names that are not running

Some of the festivals travellers ask us about most are not happening, and we'd rather you knew before you book flights.

- Bluesfest Byron Bay was cancelled on 13 March 2026. The festival companies are in liquidation and the site was put up for sale in September 2026. No 2027 festival has been announced. The official site, bluesfest.com.au, is the place to watch for any news. - Splendour in the Grass is on hiatus. There was no festival in 2025 or 2026, and a return has not been confirmed. - Falls Festival Byron has had no festival since the 2022/23 edition, and no return has been announced. - Mullum Music Festival and Byron Spirit Festival are not running. We found no current events for either.

If a website or social post claims otherwise, check the organiser's own site and be wary of ticket resellers.

## What is running

- Schoolies Week Byron Bay is listed as running from 21 November to 12 December 2026. There are no official Byron dates, so the effect is felt mostly through hostel pricing and availability from late November into early December. If you want a bed, ask your hostel directly. Our Schoolies survival guide covers how to plan around it. - Nimbin MardiGrass is on 30 April to 2 May 2027. - Byron Writers Festival is on 20 to 22 August 2027 in Byron Bay township. The 2026 festival has finished. - Sample Food Festival Bangalow is held each September at Bangalow Showground. The 2027 date hasn't been announced yet, so check the official site.

The Byron Bay Surf Festival is a murkier case. It was not held in 2025, and a return was listed for late August 2026 at Clarks Beach, but we couldn't confirm it went ahead. Its website is now a parked domain, and there are no 2027 dates.

## How to plan around this

First, don't build a trip around a festival that hasn't announced dates. Treat any event as a bonus, not the reason you came.

Second, if your plans overlap with late November, book accommodation earlier than you normally would and confirm the price before you pay. Our hostels list links to every open hostel so you can compare.

Third, remember that a quiet festival calendar doesn't mean a quiet town. The beaches, walks, markets and ocean activities carry on regardless. Our things to do page lists the operators currently open.

We update our festival information as we confirm things, and we'd rather say "we don't know" than guess. If you spot something that looks out of date, tell us through the about page.