Melbourne Exhibition Centre

The collapse of Bluesfest 2026 has left thousands of fans of the Byron Bay festival facing uncertainty over ticket refunds, while organisers and the NSW Government navigate the financial fallout.

The cancellation of Bluesfest Byron Bay has seen the appointment of a liquidator, with ticketholders unlikely to receive refunds through the formal winding up process.

Here is the official statement about the cancellation of Bluesfest 2026.

After more than three decades as one of Australia's most significant music gatherings, Bluesfest will not return over Easter 2026, the Byron Bay event has been cancelled due to weak ticket sales.

Byron Bay Bluesfest has unveiled a major new wave of artists for its 2026 edition, confirming Parkway Drive, Erykah Badu and The Wailers as headline additions to an already formidable bill. The announcement reinforces Bluesfest’s long held reputation for programming that spans generations, genres and cultures, united by musicianship, legacy and the power of live performance.

Pierce Brothers will enter 2026 with momentum few Australian acts can match, rising from the success of their fourth studio album Moonrise, released in late 2025, and now preparing for an extensive Australian tour from March through May.

Earth, Wind & Fire will return to Australia in April 2026, marking the iconic band's first Australian performances since 2012. The long-awaited tour will begin with a headline set at Byron Bay Bluesfest on Easter Friday before two exclusive sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne. For Australian fans, this homecoming has been more than a decade in the making, and the announcement reaffirms the group's continuing stature as one of the most influential bands in the history of soul, funk and R&B.