Peel Street during the festival
A city-wide festival, Australia’s best country music artists and a region brimming with places to explore — the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival has it all.
Winter might be in full swing, but it’s also prime time to start planning your best summer adventure yet. And if you love exploring regional parts of Australia, listening to country music icons and experiencing a city-wide festival, then you’re in luck.
The Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival is a 10-day event running from 17–26 January 2025 and it has become one of Australia’s most well-recognised music events and is home to the iconic Toyota Golden Guitar Awards and much more.
One of the things that truly makes this festival unique is that it is ungated, meaning the music, activities and more isn’t confined to a single part of the city. Instead, the festival sprawls throughout the streets of Tamworth, with buskers, performances, markets, stages and more than 100 venues joining the festival fun and a whole variety of free and ticketed experiences on offer.
The Toyota Park Stage (Image Lyn Bowtell)
With 10 action-packed days to fill, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the town and surrounding region before heading on an east coast adventure or into the New South Wales Central West.
The iconic festival is organised by Tamworth Regional Council with its long-time sponsor Toyota, which has several branded stages and events. The festival also welcomes the likes of McDonald’s with the Golden Gig, Sponsored by Maccas talent quest. Other major event sponsors are DestinationNSW, Kennard’s Hire, XXXX, KIX and ACM.
Aussie legends
Toyota Golden Guitar Awards
The beating heart of the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival is the music, and the Toyota Golden Guitar awards is where you can see the very best Australia has to offer. First held in 1973, these awards are Australia’s longest running music awards concert and are the very height of awards that Aussie country music artists can partake in.
The action-packed concert and ceremony will be held at 7.30pm on Saturday 25 January at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Events Centre and there will be plenty of fan-favourite artists performing, entertainment from the hosts Max Jackson and James Johnston and — the bit everyone eagerly anticipates — the announcement of who has won the coveted Golden Guitars.
James Johnston at the Entertainment Centre in 2023
Hands of Fame
The Hands of Fame induction is another exciting awards ceremony, also taking place on Saturday 25, and it honours individuals who have made a significant and ongoing contribution to Australia’s music industry. This induction ceremony has been run since 1977, and each year inductees place their handprints into the concrete at the Country Music Hands of Fame Park, much to the delight of the onlooking public.
The Hands of Fame induction is a festival highlight
Galaxy of Stars
Created more than 20 years ago by the Tamworth Regional Council, the Galaxy of Stars ceremony recognises artists who’ve made a significant contribution to Australia’s music industry. Inducted in 2024 was six-time Golden Guitar winning duo The Wolfe Brothers, who have had a star-shaped plaque installed into the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre. Keep an ear out for this event in 2025 to see who will be inducted!
The Wolfe Brothers duo was inducted into the Galaxy of Stars in 2024
Explore the festival
As you’ve probably noticed, Tamworth turns into a country music mecca during this event, with musical performances popping up throughout the streets, at venues such as the train station and even on tailgates.
One of the best ways to experience the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival is on foot. Walking down the main street (Peel Street) is a must for every festivalgoer — listen to the fantastic buskers who add to the city-wide ‘street party’ feel, browse the many market stalls that pop up and grab a tasty bite to eat at the many pubs and eateries.
More than 100 venues all throughout Tamworth and the region will be joining the festival fun, so there is sure to be something exciting to see around every corner. Take it each day at time, soaking in the festival atmosphere and stopping in at different places for a meal and great live music day and night.
There will be plenty of ticketed shows where you can secure your spot to see your favourite country music artist on stage. To find out who will be playing (and when and where) and book tickets, head to the festival website.
If you want to avoid the summer heat, we recommend booking a show during the hotter parts of the day or finding a club or pub where you can sit and enjoy a nice meal and some music.
Loren Ryan, the 2023 Toyota Star Maker Winner
Check out the stages
There are a few stages set up during the festival, each featuring something different and unique to enjoy. The main stages in the CBD area are:
- The Toyota Park stage is the main stage and has free concerts every night — bring your camp chair and picnic rug and settle down to enjoy the serene Toyota Park (otherwise known as Bicentennial Park), or if you prefer a more protected setting then grab a ticket for the nearby Country Club and enjoy the bar and seats provided.
- The Toyota FanZone stage is located in the heart of the festival and has free performances every day, making it great for all ages.
- The Golden Gig, Sponsored by Maccas stage shines a spotlight on young country music artists, and there will be various kid-friendly activities and a coffee van nearby.
Bring your camp chairs and head to the Toyota Park stage for free concerts every night
Other festival activities
Don’t miss the Country Music Parade on Saturday 25 to see country music artists, dancers, marching bands and many more wind their way through the city.
Adrenaline junkies will love the ABCRA National Finals Rodeo. Held for three days and nights during the festival, this rodeo will feature some of Australia’s best cowgirls and cowboys competing in a whole range of activities, including bull rides, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, barrel racing and more.
If you’ve got kids with you, then be sure to check out the dedicated Family Zone at the festival for carnival rides and more. There’ll also be a selection of shows perfect for the whole family, such as Amber Lawrence’s Biggest Country Show.
There are activities and a great festival vibe all throughout the city
And, while not specifically part of the festival, be sure to stop in at the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame to see various stage outfits, photographs, historical musical instruments and more, and the National Guitar Museum for many famous guitars, famous replicas, signed guitars and profiles of superstars, including Smoky Dawson AM MBE, QUEEN’s Sir Brian May CBE, Tommy Emmanuel AM, Keith Urban AO, and more.
And getting a picture with the Big Golden Guitar is an absolute must for any and all visitors to Tamworth.
The Big Golden Guitar is a must-visit when in Tamworth
Accommodation options
Tamworth is extremely caravan-friendly, and there are plenty of campgrounds and caravan parks to choose from.
If you want a spot within walking distance from the heart of the festival, then Riverside Camping Grounds is for you. Located next to the Peel River this campground has unpowered sites suitable for caravans, RVs and tents as well as toilet/shower amenity blocks (including an accessible toilet and shower) and a canteen. Bookings are for this site are encouraged before the festival, but best to book early if looking at other places.
If you want a full list of options, click this link.
Exploring the region
While 10 days might sound like a lot, it’s the perfect excuse to park your van in one location and spend as much time as you’d like enjoying the festival, exploring Tamworth and heading out on adventures into the surrounding villages.
Barraba, Bendemeer, Manilla and Nundle are all an easy drive away, and each one offers something unique to explore, including some venues which will be joining the festival vibes and have live music on offer.
The Nundle Woollen Mill is a terrific
There are plenty of things to see and do around Tamworth before, during or after the festival. Some highlights include:
- Nundle Woollen Mill: Celebrate Australia’s wool heritage at this unique destination. There’s a store where you can buy yarn and various other carefully curated clothing and items that celebrate the beauty of wool.
- Chaffey Dam: A short drive south-east of Tamworth and great for swimming, water activities, boating, fishing, bushwalking and picnics. There is caravan-friendly camping available nearby at Bowling Alley Point Recreation Reserve Campground with basic amenities.
- Hanging Rock Lookout: Experience panoramic views of the Nundle Mountains and surrounding landscape.
- Oxley Scenic Lookout and Flagstaff walking trails: Enjoy fantastic panoramic views over Tamworth and the surrounding area.
- Tamworth Regional Astronomy Centre: View the wonders of the universe through some of the largest publicly accessible telescopes in Australia.
- Country Music Wax Museum: Get up close and personal with some Aussie country music legends … or at least, a version of them.
- Art lovers will be in their element with the Tamworth Regional Gallery, Public Art Trails and the Barraba Silo Art to explore.
- There’s plenty for those travelling with kids as well, including the Marsupial Park and Adventure Playground, many unsealed and offroad cycle paths, and — something for everyone — the Big Golden Guitar.
Oxley Scenic Lookout provides panoramic views over Tamworth
Scouting for talent
- Toyota Star Maker: This is Australia’s longest running country music competition and the most prestigious annual country music talent search for those 18 years and over. Aspiring artists are invited to compete for the coveted Toyota Star maker title and prize package. Entries are open until September, with the top 10 finalists to be selected to perform on Toyota Park Stage during the festival. Enter online now.
- Golden Gig, Sponsored by Maccas competition: If you’re under 18 years, this competition is the perfect opportunity for young country music artists to display their talent and kick start their musical career. Entries will begin in August 2024.
Upcoming festivals
To keep the festivities going, here are some other upcoming festivals in Tamworth to add to your calendar.
- Tamworth Barbeque Festival — 27–29 September 2024: Barbecue lovers will think they’re in heaven at this first-ever festival. Enjoy three days of beautifully cooked barbecue foods, market stalls, barbecue demonstrations and live music. The National Thunder Motorcycle Rally will also be held during the festival, so be sure to add this one to your calendar.
- Fiesta la Peel Festival — 19 October 2024: Enjoy music, art, food and community during this single-day celebration of the Tamworth region’s various cultures. Highlights include live music and dance, an artisan marketplace, an international food fair, cultural exhibits, family-friendly activities and much more.
- Taste Tamworth Festival — 4–13 April 2025: This 10-day festival shines a spotlight on food, wine and produce from across the Tamworth region.
- Hats Off To Country — July 2025: What first began as a concert in June 2000 in honour of Australia’s king of country music, Slim Dusty AO MBE, has now grown into a small sister-festival of the Tamworth Country Music Festival held during winter.
For more information
To keep up to date with the latest festival information and plan your visit, head to the festival website.
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Tamworth 53rd Toyota Country Music Festival | January 2025