Hip Hop & Urban Festivals in Australia & New Zealand

In the Pines is Western Australia's original and longest-running boutique music festival, held annually in the idyllic surrounds of UWA's Somerville Auditorium in Perth. The festival showcases 20 of WA's best local artists across two stages and serves as a vital fundraiser for community radio station RTRFM, also featuring a dedicated sensory zone for neurodivergent attendees.

The Gum Ball is an intimate, family-friendly boutique music and arts festival held annually at the Dashville bushland estate in Australia's Hunter Valley. The event features a diverse lineup of live music, camping, and creative workshops within a relaxed and inclusive community setting.

Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia's largest non-ticketed music festivals, held annually in Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland, offering four days and nights of live rhythm and blues music across multiple indoor and outdoor stages. The festival features a wide array of international and homegrown artists, transforming the beachside precinct into a vibrant celebration for music lovers and fostering strong community ties.

BASSINTHEGRASS is the Northern Territory's largest music festival, held annually at the scenic Mindil Beach in Darwin. The event showcases a diverse mix of international and Australian artists across various genres, attracting thousands of fans to its iconic tropical setting.

Live at Warrawee is a free, family-friendly live music event held in Warrawee Park, Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia, offering a relaxed picnic atmosphere. The festival showcases a diverse lineup of local talent across genres like soul, jazz, funk, Balkan brass, and neo-traditional Greek music.

The WA Day Festival is a free, two-day metropolitan festival held in Perth, Western Australia, celebrating the state's people, culture, and shared identity. It features a diverse program of live music from local artists, family-friendly entertainment including carnival rides, drone shows, fireworks, and a variety of food and cultural experiences.

Listen Out Melbourne is an annual Australian music festival held in Melbourne, Victoria, known for its curated blend of hip-hop, indie, and electronic music. This one-day event typically features a diverse lineup of both international and local artists performing across multiple stages.

Peak Festival is an annual winter music festival held in Perisher Valley, NSW, Australia, marking the start of the ski season with free entry. It features live music across seven stages, alongside snow sports and family-friendly activities, creating a vibrant alpine playground.

The Barunga Festival is an annual celebration of remote Indigenous community life, culture, music, art, and sport, held in Barunga, Northern Territory, Australia. It showcases traditional and contemporary Indigenous music, dance, art, and cultural workshops, offering a unique opportunity to engage with Aboriginal culture and also holds historical significance as the home of the 1988 Barunga Statement.

Garrmalang Festival is Darwin's only dedicated First Nations multi-arts event, celebrating the artistic richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in the heart of Larrakia country. It offers a powerful program of storytelling, music, dance, and visual arts, showcasing the depth and beauty of the oldest living culture in the world.

The Darwin Pride Music Festival is an annual event held in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, celebrating the rich and diverse LGBTQIA+ community of the Top End. It features a vibrant program of musical performances, DJs, and drag artists, alongside community stalls and food vendors.

Desert Festival is Central Australia's iconic multi-arts event, held annually in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, showcasing an unforgettable mix of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, immersive experiences, and workshops. It is known for its inclusive programming, local focus, and vibrant energy, celebrating the unique spirit of the desert and centering diverse stories.

Stonefest is an annual music festival held at the University of Canberra in Bruce, ACT, Australia, celebrating the university's foundation and recognized as Canberra's last surviving music festival. Organized as a not-for-profit event by the University of Canberra Union, it features national headliners and local talent across two stages, with a focus on affordability and student services.

Scouted is South Australia's premier music showcase for unsigned talent, held in Adelaide/Kaurna Yerta, Australia's UNESCO City of Music. It provides emerging artists with a platform to perform for national and international music industry figures, coinciding with the Indie-Con Australia conference and A2IM Indie Week.

The Desert Harmony Festival is an annual multi-arts and cultural event held in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, serving as a platform for the region's diverse population to engage with and present the arts. It features a program combining local and national talent, with a strong focus on celebrating Indigenous culture, music, dance, and community connections in the heart of the Barkly region.

The Mundi Mundi Bash is a premier outback music festival held on the Mundi Mundi Plains near Silverton, featuring iconic Australian rock and country performers. This family-friendly camping event offers a unique desert experience complete with world-record dance attempts and stunning sunset views over the Barrier Ranges.

Rhythm and the Reef is a music and arts festival held in Mackay, Queensland, celebrating live music, community, and coastal vibes. The regional event, which has grown from a grassroots celebration, features a diverse lineup of Australian artists and aims to leave a lasting impression on local and intrastate attendees.

The Gympie Music Muster is an iconic Australian music festival held annually in the Amamoor Creek State Forest, Queensland, celebrated as the country's original bushland music festival. It offers a unique blend of country, blues, folk, roots, and rock music across multiple stages, fostering a strong community spirit and family-friendly camping experience while supporting charitable causes.

BIGSOUND is the southern hemisphere's largest music industry gathering, held annually in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland. It serves as a vital platform for influential tastemakers and music lovers to discover the future of music, featuring a daytime conference and nightly showcases of over 120 emerging artists across multiple venues.

Wonder Mountain is an intimate, genre-blurring music festival held annually in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, primarily at the historic Tanswells Hotel. The festival emphasizes local talent and community, offering a diverse lineup of disco, funk, indie, experimental pop, soul, and house music in a unique country-town setting.

Harvest Rock is an annual two-day music festival held in Adelaide, South Australia, combining a diverse lineup of international and Australian musical artists. The festival is also a celebration of South Australia's exceptional food and wine culture, featuring premium dining options, pop-up cellar doors, and a dedicated culinary stage.

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival is an annual ten-day event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, showcasing a diverse range of local and international jazz artists across numerous venues. The festival features over 130 performances, including commissioned new works and world premieres, with a commitment to offering free or low-cost programming to ensure accessibility.

RNB Fridayz Live is an annual multi-city concert tour in Australia dedicated to R&B and hip-hop music, featuring a lineup of prominent artists from classic and contemporary eras. The festival is known for its high-energy performances, nostalgic anthems, and bringing together fans of all ages for a massive party experience.

The Airlie Beach Music Festival is a premier multi-day event in the Whitsundays that transforms the tropical town into a massive stage with dozens of acts across various waterfront venues. It features a diverse lineup of legendary performers and emerging talent, offering a unique "party in paradise" experience against the backdrop of the Coral Sea.

Handpicked Festival is a family-run music and wine event held annually at Lake Breeze Wines in Langhorne Creek, South Australia, known for its intimate atmosphere amidst vineyards and gumtrees. It offers a curated sensory experience featuring award-winning wines, local food trucks, a "Cocktail Forest," and a diverse lineup of Australian musicians.

Adl 500 - Bands on Track is a music festival held in Adelaide, South Australia, as part of the larger Adelaide 500 motor racing event. It is distinctive for showcasing local contemporary South Australian musicians who perform alongside international headliners.

The Queenscliff Music Festival is an award-winning annual event on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula that features a diverse lineup of contemporary Australian and international music. This family-friendly celebration transforms the historic coastal township into a vibrant hub of live performances, local produce, and community-driven arts across multiple stages.

Meredith Music Festival is an annual three-day independent music event held at the Supernatural Amphitheatre in Victoria, Australia. It is widely celebrated for its diverse lineups, single-stage format, and its legendary 'No Dickhead Policy' which fosters a unique communal atmosphere.

The Woodford Folk Festival is a renowned six-day cultural event held annually in Queensland, Australia, featuring a vast program of music, arts, and workshops across more than 25 stages. It brings together thousands of performers and attendees over the New Year period, culminating in a spectacular fire ceremony that celebrates community and creative expression.

Beyond The Valley is a premier Australian multi-day music and arts festival held annually over the New Year's Eve period at Barunah Plains, Victoria. It features a diverse lineup of electronic, indie, and hip-hop artists alongside immersive stage designs and boutique camping experiences.

Lost Paradise is an iconic New Year's Eve festival held in Glenworth Valley, Australia, blending a diverse music lineup with arts, wellness, and boutique camping. This eco-conscious celebration features world-class acts and immersive cultural experiences within a scenic hidden valley.

Rhythm and Alps is a premier multi-day New Year's music and camping festival held annually in the scenic Cardrona Valley near Wanaka, New Zealand. The event features a diverse lineup of international and local electronic, hip-hop, and alternative artists across multiple stages in a stunning alpine setting.

Rhythm and Vines is a premier three-day music festival held annually at Waiohika Estate in Gisborne, New Zealand, famously known as the first festival in the world to welcome the first sunrise of the new year. Since 2003, it has featured a diverse lineup of international and local acts across multiple stages, serving as a bucket-list New Year's Eve celebration for thousands of attendees.

NYE On The Hill is a boutique music and camping festival held in the picturesque rolling hills of South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, known for its intimate and friendly atmosphere. The three-day event features over 30 bands, DJs, and artists, along with free camping, BYO alcohol, art installations, and morning yoga.

Tanglewood is a family-friendly boutique music and arts festival held over New Year's Eve in Thornton, Lake Eildon, Victoria, Australia. It features a diverse range of music genres, art installations, workshops, and a focus on local talent and a community-driven, intimate atmosphere.

The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl is an annual free music festival held across multiple venues in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It features over 40 artists across 8 stages, offering a diverse lineup of Australian music acts, from established headliners to emerging talent.