Your complete guide to music festival season in Australia

It’s finally here: 2022 has reached its festive period, and this is your permission to dance.

As with every year, there are some stellar festival lineups across the country held over the Christmas and New Year’s period.

After going through a few periods of end-of-year festivals being cancelled, a lack of international artists, and seemingly every natural disaster under the sun, we finally get to kick back, let our hair down, and refresh.

If you haven’t yet figured out where you and your mates are heading for New Year’s Eve, this is the perfect end-of-year guide.

So, grab a V and scroll through a few of our highlights for the year’s end festivities.

Falls Festival - Melbourne, Byron Bay, Fremantle (Multiple Dates)

The festival finally goes ahead after three years of cancellation and will be held in Melbourne, Byron Bay, and Fremantle over three fantastic days.

The festival is bringing the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Peggy Gou, CHVRCHES, Jamie XX, Camelphat and many more to Australia over the New Year’s period. Damn, those headliners are almost as tasty as a pineapple and watermelon refresh.

You can get down to the nostalgia of 2010’s rock with British favourites Arctic Monkeys, or get lost in the overtly dazzling performances of Lil Nas X.

And Peggy Gou always knows how to bring the party.

If you’re in Melbourne, you’ll be ringing in the new year with Alex Turner and co, whilst Lil Nas X will be soundtracking your first moments of 2023 in Byron Bay.

There will, of course, be some second-to-none Aussie acts throughout the multi-day festival.

Spacey Jane, Ocean Alley, Amy and the Sniffers, Genesis Owusu, and DMA’s will be rocking out to seas of Aussie-music-loving punters.

There are also some fantastic DJ’s that will keep the party pumping to the early hours of the morning. We’re talking Mall Grab, Ben Bhomer, DJ Seinfeld, CC:Disco!, and Tsha.

Falls has been a staple of the Australian New Year’s culture for more than two decades now and is always a prime way to say goodbye to one year and ring in the next.

Check out tickets here.

Beyond The Valley - Barunah Plains, VIC (28/12 - 1/1)

Held about two hours out of Melbourne in their new home at Barunah Plains, Beyond The Valley will be an oasis of world-class stage designs, mesmerising visual experiences, and, of course, top-tier musical acts.

As they always have, Beyond The Valley showcases a mix of headline international and homegrown talent, as well as shining a spotlight on up-and-coming producers and bands.

This year, they’ll feature the likes of Diplo, Bicep, Honey Dijon, Kaytranada, Denzel Curry, and Patrick Topping.

And on the local scale, Lime Cordiale, Flight Facilities, and Dom Dolla will all feature in primetime spots, with the ‘Take It’ artist himself seeing out 2022.

If you’re a fan of Nelly Furtado, and let’s face it who isn’t, then this will be the only opportunity to catch her in Australia. Catch us singing ‘Maneater’ in the mosh.

If you’re a fan of a mix of doof-sticks and techno, as well as some head-bopping indie-pop, then this is the perfect lineup for you.

You’ll probably find your next favourite DJ under the dance tent, with the likes of DJ Boring, X Club, Folamour, Cassettes For Kids, Ninajirachi, Memphis LK, Willo and more all bringing their premiere track selections.

Building up a sweat just thinking about the doof-sticks.

Check it out here.

Lost Paradise - Glenworth Valley, NSW (28/12 - 1/1)

If you’re in Sydney and you love camping and music, then this is the New Year’s option for you.

Situated about an hour’s drive from the centre of Sydney, Lost Paradise is the perfect escape to be free-spirited and unleash your inner space forest pixie under the Aussie sun.

The camping set-up is similar to that of the one adopted by the UK’s Glastonbury, where there are no cars across the campgrounds.

It makes for an extremely unique experience that is eco-friendly.

Similar to Falls Festival, Lost Paradise will be headlined by the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Peggy Gou, Jamie XX, and Spacey Jane.

And, just like Beyond The Valley, there are plenty of rave-starters such as Mall Grab, Ben Bohmer, DJ Boring, X Club, James Pepper, Dameela, and Flava D.

There certainly seems to be a bit more of a focus on up-and-coming Aussie bands here, with the likes of Pacific Avenue, 1300, Stumps, Telenova, and King Stingray all booked to perform.

If you’re after a festival that will fuel your mind, body, and soul and puts the environment first, then this is the one for you.

Check it out here.

Wildlands - Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide (Multiple Dates)

If a multi-day festival is too much for you, but you still want to ring in the New Year with a party, then make sure you check out Wildlands.

Organised by the same team behind Beyond The Valley, you’ll see a lot of similar artists on the billing, meaning you don’t have to camp out to see the world’s best.

Bicep, Diplo, Dom Dolla, Aitch, Honey Dijon, Denzel Curry, Kaytranada, and Charlotte De Witte are all on the billing, really showcasing some of the best in the electronic and hip-hop space.

Held across Perth (30/12), Adelaide (2/1), and Brisbane (7/1), get ready for a full-on day of wild behaviour.

Check it out here.

Field Day - Sydney (1/1)

If you’re having a quiet New Year’s Eve or are one of those heroes that can back it up the next day, then Field Day in Sydney is one cracking festival.

I mean, even if you’ve had a belter the night before, just sink a couple of V’s and you’ll be raring to go.

A staple for Sydney-siders, Field Day has long been one of the best festivals to kick off the New Year.

Sharing a similar lineup to Wildlands, it’s your one-day festival option if you’re in Sydney and down to start off 2023 in the right way.

Check it out here.

Few other highlights

There’s simply too many energy-fuelled parties and festivals going on across the country over this time to list, which is actually fantastic to see.

But here are a few others to potentially check out to keep the party pumping in 2023.

If you’re into underground techno or party-starting house music, then Let Them Eat Cake is holding its 10-year anniversary in Werribee Mansion, Victoria. There you can catch the likes of Bonobo, KiNK, Moxie, Skin On Skin, and X Club laying down the rave for 2023. Check it here.

NYE In The Park is a fantastic way to see off 2022 in Sydney, with Flight Facilities, Lime Cordiale, Cut Copy, and San Cisco all set to be in fine form. Check it here.

NYE On The Hill in South Gipplsland, Victoria, is held from December 30 to January 1 and is the perfect place if you love your Aussie rock. You can catch the likes of Hockey Dad, Ruby Fields, Sly Withers, and Slowly Slowy there. Check it here.

Make sure to grab your mates and some refreshments, and make NYE 2022 one to remember.