Australia’s biggest regional music festival is coming to Lismore

LISMORE is set to host one of Australia’s biggest live music festivals, Groovin The Moo, when it returns in 2026 for a one-off show at Oakes Oval.

The festival will run as a one-day, single-stage event on May 9 after two years of cancellations.

Lismore was selected as the host city for its creative identity and cultural significance in the Northern Rivers, as well as the resilience the region has shown in recent years following major floods.

The event will be presented by Great Southern Nights with support from the state government through Destination NSW and in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association.

Adelle Robinson, CEO of festival operator Fuzzy, said the return honoured the show’s regional roots.

“The festival belongs to regional Australia. Returning with a one-off show allows us to focus on doing it with the care and responsibility it deserves while the festival industry continues to navigate rising costs and increased pressure,” she said.

“We are so thrilled to come to Lismore, a place that reflects the spirit and resilience of the communities that Groovin The Moo has supported from the beginning.”

Established in 2005, the festival brought major contemporary music line-ups to regional centres across Australia.

Over two decades, it became embedded in the national festival landscape, shaping formative live music experiences for audiences around the country.

Lismore mayor Steve Krieg welcomed the announcement as a defining milestone for the region.

“Hosting Groovin The Moo marks a defining moment in Lismore’s continued growth, signalling our return as a confident, contemporary regional centre firmly back on the national events map,” he said.

“Recent investment means we have a flexible, high-quality venue capable of attracting major sporting and cultural events of national significance.

We’re excited to partner with the Groovin The Moo team to deliver an outstanding event that attracts visitors, energises the local economy and showcases Lismore as a vibrant destination where music, arts and regional life thrive.”

As part of its community commitment, Groovin The Moo will partner with Our Kids as its official charity partner, donating $2 from every ticket sold.

The artist line-up and ticket on-sale details will be announced in the coming weeks.