The ARIA Award for Best Music Festival will return for a second year, the Australian Recording Industry Association announced Monday. Entries opened the same day and close at 5 p.m. AEST on Friday, September 18.
Developed jointly with the Australian Festival Association (AFA), the award recognizes festivals that put Australian artists in front of audiences that build their careers, along with the programmers who back local talent on their lineups. To be eligible, a festival must feature an Australian headline act or a lineup that is at least 50% Australian artists, and must hold AFA membership.
Laneway Festival won the inaugural award in 2025, beating out nominees Ability Fest, Beyond the Valley, Bluesfest Byron Bay and Yours and Owls Festival.
“Festivals are where Australian artists meet the audiences that change their careers,” ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd said in a statement. “Programming Australian talent is a deliberate decision and has a huge impact on the careers of local artists.”
The 2026 ARIA Awards will mark the ceremony’s 40th anniversary on Wednesday, November 18, at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. Nominations for the main ARIA Awards will be announced Thursday, September 24.
Source: Billboard
