Trading traditional festival grounds for a tropical village vibe, the Airlie Beach Festival of Music is the ultimate music holiday and definitive party in paradise.

Held annually during the weekend after the Melbourne Cup, the festival transforms the picturesque town of Airlie Beach into a live-music-lovers’ playground in the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Now in its 14th year, the event encompasses 60-plus acts across 15 venues and a main stage on the water’s edge at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. With only a short distance between each of these hubs, the atmosphere is electric.

Thanks to its winning mix of jaw-dropping views, intimate gigs in beachside bars and world-class headliners in the big-top-tent, ticketholders are guaranteed a bucket-list musical getaway, complemented by access to all the amenities of one of Queensland’s premier holiday hotspots.

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music has played host to some of Australia’s all-time favourite artists as well as a number of iconic overseas acts. Artists already announced for 2026, include Xavier Rudd, Mental As Anything, The Whitlams and more.

Through its national Passport to Airlie competition the festival supports both established musicians and emerging talent, providing something for every patron’s musical tastes.

Entry to the opening and after parties are included in a standard three-day pass.