Love country music, festival vibes and a good reason to hit the road this summer? The Toyota 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival is back this January with something for everyone.
From 16 to 25 January 2026, Tamworth — Australia’s home of country music — will once again take the spotlight with 10 days of fantastic country music, festival vibes and a great all-ages atmosphere. Now in its 54th year, the festival is one of the biggest events of its kind, drawing crowds from all over to soak up the country music scene.
One of the festival’s biggest drawcards is that it’s not confined to a single stage or arena — the entire city turns into a giant music venue. You’ll hear music spilling from pubs and clubs, see buskers lining Peel Street and find free concerts staged in parks and public spaces. Some venues host ticketed gigs, but around 70 per cent of the entertainment is completely free.
This year’s festival theme — ‘Home of Country Music’ — tips the hat to Tamworth’s longstanding influence on the Australian country music scene, celebrating music legends and nurturing new and upcoming artists.
Excitement is already building for the upcoming festival after the undeniable success of the 2025 event, which saw hundreds of thousands of people flock to the streets of Tamworth for 10 action-packed days.
“We’re excited to be hosting the Tamworth Country Music Festival for another year, with a range of fan-favourites and new events already in the lineup,” commented Peter Ross, Festival Executive Producer.
“Tamworth is a place for everyone, with free and ticketed shows, along with talent competitions for children all the way through to emerging and established artists.”
And whether you’re heading to Tamworth specifically for the festival or adding it to a longer summer road trip, it’s an easy-going, accessible and affordable way to enjoy some of the best country music Australia has to offer.
James Johnston performing at Toyota Park
Behind the festival scenes
Tamworth Regional Council is the driving force behind the festival, keeping it running smoothly and supporting a citywide effort that brings the community together every summer.
The festival owes much to its sponsors. Toyota Australia is the naming rights sponsor, supporting key events like the Toyota Star Maker and Toyota Best of the Buskers competitions and the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards. Toyota also partners with a local charity every year to raise funds selling special pins and hats.
The NSW government supports the event through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
McDonald’s Australia returns in 2026 as a major sponsor, supporting the Golden Gig, Sponsored by Macca’s young talent search, while Joblink Plus joined in 2025 to facilitate industry networking opportunities and support emerging artists.
Additionally, media support from outlets like WIN TV, KIX FM and ACM is vital in sharing all the highlights of the festival.
Who’s playing in 2026
More than 700 artists will hit the stage across 10 jam-packed days. From big-name acts to newcomers, there’s a huge variety of styles and shows to discover.
The music action kicks off on 16 January with the Opening Night Concert, which will showcase some of the 2025 Golden Guitar Winners.
Country music royalty
Troy Cassar-Daley, who took home five trophies at the 2025 Golden Guitar Awards, returns to Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) for a 4pm show on Thursday 22 January. Later that evening, Lee Kernaghan OAM takes the stage at 8.15pm.
Troy Cassar-Daley
Long-time favourite John Williamson OAM will also return, with a very special performance, ‘Thank You, Tamworth’ on Friday 23 January. With appearances at nearly every Tamworth Country Music Festival bar one, few artists have graced its stages more than John.
Fan favourites
Some fan-favourites in the 2026 lineup include: Adam Harvey, Amber Lawrence, Andrew Swift, Ashleigh Dallas, Beccy Cole, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley, Catherine Britt, Colin Buchanan, Duncan Toombs, Fanny Lumsden, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, Kasey Chambers, Lyn Bowtell, Max Jackson, Melinda Schneider, Missy Lancaster, Shane Nicholson, The Wolfe Brothers, Travis Collins, Wicker Suite, Zac & George … just to name a few!
The Wolfe Brothers and Lee Kernaghan on the FanZone stage
Orchestral Country returns
Orchestral Country is back by popular demand, and the one-night-only performance at TRECC is a must-do for festivalgoers. First staged in 2024, this performance features some of Australia’s best country music artists alongside a full 38-piece orchestra conducted by George Ellis. Artists for the 2026 concert include Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Travis Collins, Troy Cassar-Daley and many more.
Orchestral Country is back for 2026
Something new for 2026
An exciting addition to the 2026 lineup is the RocKwiz Salutes Country show. The popular live music trivia TV show is going country for the first time, with a live event on Tuesday 20 January at TRECC.
Tamworth’s entertainment venues manager Roz Pappalardo commented, “The 2026 festival program honours Tamworth’s incredible country music legacy while embracing a few new directions.
“We’re especially excited to welcome the RocKwiz team to town as they put their signature twist on a salute to country and we’re thrilled to bring back the wildly popular Orchestral Country, featuring many of your favourite artists in a stunning symphonic setting.”
Get your tickets!
The Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival is an ungated, street-style event, so there’s no general entry fee. Some gigs are ticketed, with pricing and age requirements varying per show. The first round of tickets dropped on 7 July 2025 — more acts will be announced in August.
The best way to find tickets is on the ‘What’s on’ section of the festival website.
Colin Buchanan won the 2025 Golden Guitar Award for Bush Ballad of the Year
Celebrate the best of country music
At its heart, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is a celebration of Australia’s country music, shining a spotlight on both new and established artists. And one of the ways it does this is through its various competitions, talent searches and ceremonies.
Here are two of the iconic ceremonies to add to your festival itinerary:
Toyota Star Maker Competition
The Toyota Star Maker Competition is Australia’s longest running and most prestigious country music talent search, and entries are open until 1 September 2025 — so if you think you have what it takes, enter online now.
The top 10 finalists will perform at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final in Toyota Park on Saturday 18 January — and the 46th Toyota Star Maker will join a star-studded alumni list that includes Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Kaylee Bell, Max Jackson and Wade Forster.
Lee Kernaghan
Toyota Golden Guitar Awards
The Golden Guitar Awards are synonymous with country music excellence and the awards’ significance has been immortalised by the ‘Big Golden Guitar’ standing in pride of place at the southern entrance to Tamworth. Presented by Tamworth Regional Council, this is Australia’s longest-running music awards concert, recognising recording excellence in country music across more than 20 awards and categories each year.
Country music legend Keith Urban was honoured at the 2025 awards and inducted into the prestigious Roll of Renown.
The 2026 Golden Guitar Awards will take place at TRECC on Saturday 24 January. Tickets are available to the public — so don’t miss your chance to witness country music history in the making.
Festival highlights for everyone
The festival is action-packed, with plenty of ways for visitors of all ages to keep busy. Whether you’re travelling with the kids or as a couple, visiting to see your favourite artists or just searching for a fun festival atmosphere, there’s tons to do.
The festival is an all-ages event, so there’s something for everyone.
Some festival highlights for all ages include:
- Free concerts in Toyota Park every night (bring your camp chairs and picnic blankets!)
- Free performances at the FanZone stage
- Buskers and stalls along Peel Street
- The Country Music Parade on Saturday 24 January
- Rodeo action at Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC)
- Check out ticketed shows to well-known artists like Amber Lawrence and Max Jackson (all ages shows)
For those travelling without young ones in tow, then make sure you check out Tamworth’s pub scene, with great food, cold beverages and live music every day of the festival — often free of charge.
Make sure you check out Tamworth's pub scene — many with free live music throughout the festival
If you do have kiddos with you, there’s a whole range of kids shows to check out, plus the dedicated Family Zone which is open daily and features rides, food and tons of fun. A new show this year is The Dino Maniacs – Family Dinosaur Show which will be held on Saturday 18 January and Tuesday 20 January at the Diggers Showroom at Wests.
There’s also plenty for country music buffs — including the Galaxy of Stars induction, the Hands of Fame ceremony and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Wiggles on the red carpet at the 2025 event
Celebrate the legends at the Hands of Fame ceremony
Summer smarts
January in Tamworth can be scorching, with the odd summer storm. The 2025 event saw all four seasons, so pack sunscreen, hats, refillable water bottles and wet weather gear. A bit of shade never hurts either.
Don’t forget your camp chair and/or picnic blanket for setting yourself up at Toyota Park in the evenings.
Bring your camp chairs and head to Toyota Park for free concerts every night
Explore Tamworth and beyond
With 10 days of events, the festival is the perfect excuse to set up camp in Tamworth, dive into the music and enjoy everything the city and surrounding region have to offer.
There’s plenty to explore in Tamworth, but it’s also a great chance to head out on a few day trips to nearby towns like Nundle, Barraba, Bendemeer and Kootingal. Whether you’re breaking up the festival or planning a longer trip around it, the region offers no shortage of scenic spots and interesting stops.
But the big tip is — plan ahead. With so much happening each day, it’s worth booking tickets to your must-see artists early and building your itinerary from there. The festival’s Official Guide (available in December and pre-orderable via the festival website) will be your best friend, with daily schedules, maps and artist listings. The TCMF app is also a handy way to plan your days on the go. And make sure you leave some time to rest and recuperate from the summer heat — leave some windows to go swimming or enjoy a cold drink at one of the pubs.
Top spots in Tamworth
- The Big Golden Guitar
- Tamworth Regional Gallery
- Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC)
- Tamworth Regional Playground
- Tamworth Marsupial Park
- Public Art Trail
- Dungowan Station and Brewery
Check out the AELEC rodeo during the festival
Day trips from Tamworth
- To Barraba and Manilla: Barraba Silo Art, Horton Falls, Manilla Heritage Museum and Molly May’s cafe in Manilla
- To Nundle and surrounds: Chaffey Dam, Nundle Woollen Mill, Sheba Dam, Peel Inn Hotel
- To Lake Keepit: Swim, picnic, cast a line then head to Carroll Gap Farmhouse
Best time of year to visit Tamworth
January is a fantastic time to experience Tamworth at its liveliest — but there are plenty of reasons to come back throughout the year.
If you’re after a vibrant mix of music, food and culture, head to the Fiesta La Peel Festival on 18 October 2025. This one-day event celebrates the region’s cultural diversity with live music, dancing, an international food fair, artisan markets, cultural exhibits and family-friendly activities.
April brings the Taste Tamworth Festival (10–19 April 2026), a 10-day celebration of local produce and flavours. Expect degustation dinners, markets, workshops and events held across the region. The mild autumn weather is perfect for getting outdoors and exploring.
For a cosy winter escape, Hats Off to Country returns each July. Pack your winter woollies and enjoy a more intimate country music experience with plenty of indoor entertainment and a laid-back atmosphere.
The Fiesta La Peel Festival is back this October!
Where to stay with your caravan
With thousands of visitors flocking to Tamworth, it’s a good idea to book early. There are plenty of camping and caravan options in and around the city, including the centrally located Riverside Camping Grounds — right near Peel River and only a short walk from the CBD and festival venues. Sites are unpowered, but there are hot showers, toilets (with accessible options) and a food canteen.
Other nearby caravan-friendly stays include:
- Austin Tourist Park
- Paradise Tourist Park
- Tamworth North Holiday Park
- City Lights Caravan Park (just a 10-minute drive out of the CBD for a quieter setup)
A full list of options can be found on the official festival website.
There are plenty of places to camp with your van close by the festival or a bit further afield if you want a quieter setup
Head to the home of country music
Whether you’re coming for the legends and legends-in-the-making or just soaking up the festival atmosphere and camping vibes in an iconic Aussie town, the Toyota 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival is the place to be. So, grab your walking shoes, hats and camping chairs and get ready to enjoy the action this January.
Head to the festival website for the latest updates.
Travis Collins show at Town Hall
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