Falls Festival History

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Fun Music Summer
Where:: Australia
Date change rule:: Held annually between late December and early January
Holiday emoji:: 🎶

Falls Festival lights up the Australian summer every year, typically running from late December to early January. This multi-day music and arts extravaganza draws thousands to celebrate the New Year with rock, hip hop, indie, and more. Plan your trip, explore the diverse performances, and join the vibrant community for an unforgettable experience.

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Expected Falls Festival History Deals

While official 2027 promotions for Falls Festival tickets and travel packages are yet to be announced, history shows a strong market for early bird specials and bundled deals. Look out for discounts from major airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia for domestic flights to festival locations. Accommodation providers such as Airbnb and local hotels often offer special rates for festival-goers. Camping gear retailers like Anaconda and Kathmandu typically run sales on tents, sleeping bags, and outdoor essentials. Food and beverage brands, including Coca-Cola and various craft breweries, often sponsor stages or offer promotions on-site. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as the December 29 approaches.

Platform Guide for Falls Festival History

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FallsFestival. Share vibrant photos and reels capturing the festival’s energy, fashion, and unique artistic performances.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #FallsFestival. Create short, engaging videos showcasing favorite artists, dance moves, or funny festival moments.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. For Falls Festival, upload vlogs, concert highlights, or interviews with fellow festival attendees.

Falls Festival History Hero

Simon Daly

Simon Daly is the visionary founder of Falls Festival, which he started in 1993 on his family's farm in Lorne, Victoria. His initial idea was to create a New Year's Eve party for friends, which quickly grew into one of Australia's most beloved multi-day music and arts events. Daly's commitment to a diverse lineup and unique festival experience has shaped Falls into an iconic summer tradition, known for its blend of international and local talent.

History of Falls Festival History

The story begins in 1993, with a small one-day concert held in Lorne, Victoria, named Rock Above The Falls. This first event attracted nearly 11,000 people, exceeding the organizers’ expectations, and they had to negotiate the use of neighboring land to accommodate the crowd. The festival became a two-day event in 1995, and the following year the name was changed to The Falls Music & Arts Festival. 1999 was the first time the festival was not held at Lorne, being moved to the Torquay site due to bad weather.

The 2003 festival was the first time two events were held simultaneously, one in Lorne, and an additional event at Marion Bay, Tasmania. The same performances took place at both events; the December 30 acts that played at Lorne, played December 31 at Marion Bay, and vice versa. Both the Lorne and Marion Bay festivals have continued to run simultaneously, except for the 2022 edition, and artists continue to be exchanged between the two locations throughout the festival. Subsequent festivals retained this two-location format.

Falls Festival won the 2008 FasterLouder Festival Award for ‘Best Lineup’ and the following year the Marion Bay site received the ‘Favorite Venue and Location’ award. They have also been awarded the ‘Excellence in Sustainability Victorian Tourism Awards’ from 2012, 2013, and 2014; ‘Outstanding in the Greener Festival Awards’ from the same years; ‘Major Festivals & Events Tasmanian Tourism Awards’ from 2013 and 2014; ‘Major Festival Australian Event Awards 2014;’ and ‘Victorian Live Event of the Year’ and ‘Tasmanian All Ages Achievement’ at the National Live Music Awards of 2019.

In 2013 the Byron edition of the event was introduced, increasing the reach of the festival across the country. In 2019, the festival at the Lorne site was canceled due to extreme bushfire risk during the 2019 — 2020 Australian bushfire season. The Marion Bay edition of the festival was unfortunately canceled permanently in 2021, with organizers citing low revenue from the event.

Falls Festival History timeline

1993

Rock Above The Falls

The first event is a small one-day concert held in Lorne, Victoria with that name.

1996

Name of the Festival Changes

It becomes Falls Music & Arts Festival.

2003

Simultaneous Events

One is held at Lorne, and the other one at Marion Bay, Tasmania.

2008

Falls Festival Wins Its First Award

They win the FasterLouder Festival Award for 'Best Lineup,' and many others follow later.

2013

The Byron Edition Is Introduced

This increases the reach of the festival across the country.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Falls Festival History

Local businesses surrounding Falls Festival locations can capitalize on the influx of attendees by offering special deals and services. Restaurants and cafes can extend hours and feature festival-themed menus, while retail stores can stock up on festival essentials like sunscreen, hats, and portable chargers. Accommodation providers should prepare for high demand, offering shuttle services to festival grounds. Local tour operators can also promote pre- or post-festival experiences, encouraging visitors to explore the region further.

Falls Festival History FAQs

When is Falls Festival?

Falls Festival 2026-2027 is scheduled to run from Tuesday, December 29, 2026, through Friday, January 8, 2027. This multi-day event marks the New Year with an incredible lineup of music and arts across various Australian locations.

How many people attend Falls Festival?

Falls Festival typically draws tens of thousands of attendees across its various locations in Australia. Each site, such as Lorne, Byron Bay, and Fremantle, hosts a significant crowd, contributing to the festival’s vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

What music genres are featured at Falls Festival?

Falls Festival is renowned for its eclectic mix of music genres, catering to a wide range of tastes. In 2026, expect to hear everything from rock, hip hop, and indie music to electronic, blues, and roots artists gracing the stages.

What types of performances are at Falls Festival?

Beyond its stellar musical acts, Falls Festival 2026 offers a rich tapestry of artistic performances. Attendees can immerse themselves in dance, comedy, theater, circus acts, and cabaret, creating a truly immersive cultural experience.

Falls Festival History Activities

Enjoy the music concerts
While the lineup is different each year, you can expect Australian legends such as Crooked Colours, Thundamentals, or G Flip. Musicians from other countries such as Vampire Weekend, Banks, and Yungblud have been in previous editions as well.
Dance at the Byron Bay rave party
Hidden behind a laundromat front, if you crawl through the third washing machine, you will find a secret rave party. It may sound like an easter egg from a video game, but we promise it’s very much real, and it continues even after the festival has officially wrapped up.
Take part in The Falls Fiesta and The Village
Beyond the music, the first one includes art camps, crafternoons, fancy dress themes, and a massive parade. The latter is a festival within a festival with yoga sessions, samba classes, circus workshops, puppetry, burlesque, and comedy.

5 Fun Facts About Falls Festival

Approximately 13,000 people attend every year
Almost all of them camp on-site, in unpowered car-camping tent sites.
All locations have nearby beaches
They are either within a walking distance or a short bus ride away.
It’s one of the oldest national festivals
Since it started in 1993, at the time of writing it’s almost 30 years old!
Weather conditions
In Marion Bay, it’s common that it rains for 10 minutes during the festival only for the wind to push the clouds away and unveil the beautiful sunshine.
The 2022 lineup was almost all-Australian
This was the plan for the canceled 2020 — 2021 edition to bolster the economy, and they may try it again.

Why We Love Falls Festival History

It’s a way to support both international and national artists at the same time
Many people get the most excited about the international musicians, while national ones can end up ignored. Thankfully, these kinds of events allow for both of them to get support no matter your preference.
There are things to do from morning to midnight
The Village and Falls Fiesta take place during the day, with comedians, art camps, yoga classes, and more. And at night, the music begins and some events even go past midnight.
It’s fun for the whole family
There are family-exclusive camping areas, and activities aimed at kids, such as face painting, beauty parlors, playgrounds, and sea views. But as you know, many others are aimed at adults, so it doesn’t become a drag for the parents either.