Music, Markets, Magic: Immerse yourself in the Nightjar Festival

In a triumphant return, the Nightjar Festival will kick off next month with a new format.

The event will run from January 4-12, delivering five immersive events spanning from music to markets.

 

THE MUSIC

With an all-star line-up, the Nightjar Festival promises four massive nights of unforgettable music.

Singer songwriter Yirrmal is set to headline the festival’s first night on January 4.

The First Nations storyteller will be joined on stage by his band and the legendary Shane Howard.

Renowned for his thrilling live performances, Harry James Angus the trumpet-playing vocalist of The Cat Empire fame, will also help to launch the festival.

The Murlocs and their distinctive sound will then hit the Big Top on January 5.

The five-piece band has six studio albums under its belt and is fronted by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard keyboardist and harmonica player, Ambrose Kenny-Smith.

 

Acclaimed blues musician, Ash Grunwald will serve up a tsunami of dance, beats, roots and bass on night three of the festival.

Melbourne-based songstress Steph Strings will also grace the stage on January 11.

The 23-year-old has toured internationally and opened for The Cat Empire and Paul Kelly.

On January 12, crowd favourites The Vasco Era will close out the festival along with Fanny Lumsden, fresh from her win at the ARIA music awards

 

The Nightjar Festival has long been considered a launchpad for emerging artists with many of the festival’s past acts going on to become some of the biggest touring artists in the country.

With each night offering up an exciting line-up of local talent, next month’s festival is likely to be no different.

Acts include Immy Owusu (January 11), Surf Coast up-and-comers South Atlas (January 4), and Geelong-based rockers The Hollow Majors (January 12).

 

THE ENTERTAINMENT

In addition to amazing musical acts, each night of the Nightjar Festival will have vibrant art installations, roaming performers, a free silent disco, market stalls, workshops and speakers.

Festival-goers can join The Jungle Body with Megan in a dance workout guaranteed to make them smile.

Children can lose themselves in the interactive play space provided by the Bebop Circus and performers from the collective WildHoney will dazzle with their otherworldly stilt walking acts.

Jem Fuller, the award-winning author of The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men, will also make an appearance as a guest speaker at the event.

 

THE MARKET

Between Nightjar Festival nights, the Torquay Common will house the Design Exchange Market, marking the first big design event to happen on the Surf Coast.

The market is a beloved fixture in Ballarat and has been held annually for the past 15 years.

With a focus on creating an atmosphere that is inviting and inclusive, the Design Exchange Market brings together some of Australia’s inspiring independent designers, artists and creators.

The market is a carefully curated event that celebrates small business, creativity and homemade, ethical trading.

Stalls will showcase a diverse range of unique products, from handcrafted jewellery to local artisan wares.

 

The market will run on Saturday, January 6 from 3-9pm and Sunday, January 7 from 10am-4pm and feature food vans drinks from local producers, Great Ocean Road Gin and Flowstate Brewers & Distillers.

The entry fees for adults is $5 and free for children and young adults under the age of 18.

This jam-packed festival is one you won’t want to miss.

For more information or to purchase tickets, head to nightjarfestival.com.au