Torquay thrills: Nightjar Festival’s second week extends the party

THE Nightjar Festival has returned to Torquay with a bang.

As the first two nights of the revamped festival come to a close, the focus now shifts to the event’s second week with two more epic nights of live music and entertainment remaining.

Ash Grunwald will headline the Nightjar Festival’s third night on Thursday, January 11 with a performance that is sure to rock the house and touch the soul.

Torquay musician Immy Owusu and the Leah Senior Trio will also grace the stage.

Owusu was recently crowned Best Musician at Music Victoria’s 2023 Awards, while Senior is headed to the USA later this year to open for Nightjar Festival royalty The Teskey Brothers.

The high energy of Geelong-based rockers, The Hollow Majors, will set the tone for the Nightjar Festival’s final night on Friday January 12.

The hot funk power of CHAPERONE, magnetic energy of Brooke Taylor and smooth crooning of balladeer Leroy Macqueen will keep the fun going.

While rock/blues trio The Vasco Era and esteemed country singer songwriter and ARIA Award winner Fanny Lumsden will close out the festival.

But this stellar line-up of musical acts is only part of the deal.

There will be interactive and roving entertainment, vibrant art installations and workshops, as well as food vendors and market stalls to enjoy.

Festival goers can don headphones and dance the night away to the silent disco and those over the age of 18 can enjoy beverages and brews from Blackmans Brewery, Great Ocean Road Gin and Flowstate Craft at one of the event’s boutique bars.

As part of the festival’s new format, the Torquay Common will also host the Design Exchange Market this weekend.

The market will run on Saturday, January 6, from 3-9pm and Sunday, January 7, from 10am to 4pm and entry is $5.

For those under the age of 18, entry to the market is free.

The thoughtfully curated event is the Surf Coast’s first big design market and brings together some of the country’s inspiring and diverse independent designers, artists and creators.

With a focus on handmade, ethical trading, stalls will have a unique range of products on offer.

A small number of food vendors will be present.

To purchase tickets or to find out more, head to nightjarfestival.com.au