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Festivals

Who takes applications, when the window opens, and what it costs. Most windows are closed right now; the dates tell you when they come back.

Most Sydney festival slots are council EOIs, and most are paid.Inner West, City of Sydney, Parramatta, Liverpool, Blacktown, Sutherland, Randwick and the Northern Beaches all run them. Nearly all want a public liability certificate if you are picked.

Open Now

Tap a festival to see who can apply, what's involved and the link.

Sydney Festivals and Councils 21

Sydney FringeRegistration 2–30 March, annual
  • WhoAnyone. Open access: everyone gets a slot.
  • WhatRegister a show for the September festival. You produce it and pay the registration fee and your own public liability. [email protected].
  • Linksydneyfringe.com
Marrickville Music FestivalEOI mid-June to mid-July, annual
  • WhoLocal bands and musicians. Priority to acts connected to Marrickville and surrounds.
  • WhatInner West Council festival, second Sunday in October. Paid, by quote. No fee to apply.
  • AlsoSame council runs performer EOIs for Dulwich Hill Festival (September), Festival of Balmain (November, EOI closes late August) and Bairro Português (EOI December–January). Sign up to their Creative Communities newsletter for the windows.
  • Linkinnerwest.nsw.gov.au
Sydney StreetsApplications closed February 2026; 2027 dates to come
  • WhoLocal performers. You need a site, socials or a video of you playing.
  • WhatCity of Sydney street closures on spring and summer Saturdays across Darlinghurst, Glebe, Haymarket, Pyrmont, Redfern and Surry Hills. [email protected].
  • AlsoCity of Sydney busking permit is $52 and rolling; new code from 4 August 2026.
  • Linkcityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Vivid Sydney: music EOI2027 round closed 28 August 2026; opens mid-June each year
  • WhoNot stated.
  • WhatEOI for the music program. Shortlist late September, interviews October, decisions early November.
  • Linkvividsydney.com
Stanmore Music Festival2026 applications closed; acceptances by 31 August
Manly JazzEOI closes mid-April, annual
  • WhoJazz acts. Two music samples and your rate for a 45-minute set.
  • WhatNorthern Beaches Council festival in September. Paid by quote. Public liability required if picked.
  • Linknorthernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Parramatta LanesEOI opens around May
  • WhoYou don't need to be an established name to apply.
  • WhatCity of Parramatta laneways festival, 21–24 October 2026. EOI through atparramatta.com.
  • Linkcityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
Liverpool City CouncilStarry Sari Night closes 9 October 2026
  • WhoPerformers with a $10m public liability certificate. Busking EOI is for local performers.
  • WhatRolling performer EOI plus dated ones: Starry Sari Night 29 Nov (closes 9 Oct), NYE (closes 7 Nov), Australia Day (closes 5 Dec), Motherland African Festival April 2027 (closes 5 Feb), Lanterns & Lights May 2027 (closes 19 Mar). Paid by quote.
  • Linkliverpool.nsw.gov.au
Blacktown City CouncilRolling database
  • WhoAny performer. Does not guarantee a booking.
  • WhatOne EOI covers the City Festival and the suburb festivals: Seven Hills, Quakers Hill, Riverstone, Doonside, Kings Langley and others. Published rates: semi-professional $250–400, community group $200–400, professional by contract.
  • Linkblacktown.nsw.gov.au
Sutherland Shire CouncilRolling database
MusicNSW: OutsetClosed 11 August 2026, annual
  • WhoAges 15–25 (75% of the band), based in Western or South-West Sydney, 30-minute set with at least four originals.
  • WhatPaid all-ages gig in October.
  • Linkmusicnsw.com
The Spot FestivalEOI closes mid-February, annual
Georges River Council: Lunar New YearPerformer EOI open for 13 February 2027
  • WhoNot stated.
  • WhatHurstville street festival. Survey form. Deadline, fee and pay not listed.
  • Linkgeorgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Hawkesbury City Council: Australia Day on the HawkesburyLive entertainment EOI closes 9 October 2026
Canterbury-Bankstown CouncilRolling
  • WhoAny performer. Always open to new acts.
  • WhatPerformer expression of interest form for council events.
  • Linkcbcity.nsw.gov.au
Hornsby Shire CouncilRolling register
  • WhoAny artist or performer. Does not guarantee selection.
  • WhatArtists and performers register for council events.
  • Linkhornsby.nsw.gov.au
Bayside CouncilEOI late May to August, annual
  • WhoPerformers; a separate Creative Directory for Bayside locals is rolling.
  • WhatSpring Fair (September) and Food & Wine Festival performer EOIs.
  • Linkbayside.nsw.gov.au
Hunters Hill Council: Moocooboola FestivalEOI closes late July, annual
  • WhoMusicians, bands, choirs, roving. Council curates.
  • WhatLate September festival.
  • Linkhuntershill.nsw.gov.au
Camden Council: Live'n'Local2026 run over; register by email for 2027
  • WhoLocal musicians. Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly creatives can join the Creative Camden directory.
  • WhatPaid Saturday gigs, May to June. [email protected].
  • Linkcamden.nsw.gov.au
Ku-ring-gai Council: citizenship ceremoniesRolling
  • WhoLocal performers.
  • WhatPerformer EOI for citizenship ceremonies. Pay not listed.
  • Linkkrg.nsw.gov.au
Fairfield City Council: Cabramatta Moon FestivalFestival is in September. Check their site for the EOI.

Wollongong, Newcastle, Central Coast, the Mountains 9

Yours & OwlsUnearthed comp closed 2 August 2026
  • WhoNSW residents with music on triple j Unearthed.
  • WhatThe only way in is the Unearthed competition each July. No direct application. Festival 3–4 October 2026, Flagstaff Hill.
  • Linkabc.net.au
Wollongong City CouncilPerformer pool open to 31 December 2026
  • WhoMusicians, bands and performance artists. Family-suitable sets.
  • WhatOne form for council performance opportunities. Asks original or not, and whether you have an ABN.
  • AlsoCulture Mix (late September) runs a separate EOI April–May for Wollongong LGA artists, with $3,000 development grants.
  • Linkwollongongcitycouncil.wufoo.com
Illawarra Folk Festival2027 applications closed 4 May 2026
New Annual: Made NewEOI mid-January to mid-February, annual
  • WhoNewcastle-based or affiliated artists.
  • What$20,000–40,000 commissions for the City of Newcastle festival. Judged on artistic merit, fit to the brief, connection to place. [email protected].
  • Linknewannual.com
Blue Mountains Music FestivalCheck their page
  • WhoNot listed here.
  • What12–14 March 2027, Katoomba. Check their performer applications page directly for details.
  • Linkbmff.org.au
Central Coast CouncilLakes Festival 2026 EOI closed
  • WhoNot listed here.
  • WhatCouncil runs performer EOIs for the Lakes Festival and Harvest Festival. Not listed here.
  • Linkcentralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Lake Macquarie: Live and LocalRolling
  • WhoLake Mac locals.
  • WhatRegister through a free Creative Business Directory listing.
  • Linkarts.lakemac.com.au
Kiama Jazz & Blues FestivalPaused 2026, back 5–7 March 2027
Wingecarribee: Bundanoon Folk FestivalCheck their page

Regional NSW, the Folk Circuit and Interstate 14

Tamworth Country Music Festival: buskingRegistration never closes
  • WhoAnyone. Free to register.
  • What15–24 January 2027. Ten buskers are picked by judges for the Toyota Busking Championships on the last Sunday, with cash prizes.
  • AlsoToyota Star Maker takes entries 1 June to 1 September each year, solo artists over 18, prize package over $100,000.
  • Linktcmf.com.au
Deni Ute Muster: day stage2026 applications closed
Woodford Folk FestivalReopens January 2027, closes late March
  • WhoAny genre. Public liability at contracting.
  • WhatPaid after the festival by EFT, free artist camping.
  • Linkwoodfordfolkfestival.com
National Folk Festival, Canberra2027 applications closed
  • WhoFolk and roots. Public liability required.
  • WhatEaster festival. Applications through their site each year.
  • Linkfolkfestival.org.au
Port Fairy Folk Festival2027 applications closed
Kangaroo Valley Folk FestivalApplications 1 February to 31 March, annual
  • WhoAny act. You quote a fee for the weekend.
  • WhatMid-October. Paid within a week after, free ticket and camping. Insurance required.
  • Linkkangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au
Cobargo Folk FestivalApplications closed 20 June 2026, annual
Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass FestivalEOI February to April, annual
  • WhoAcoustic folk, bluegrass, old-time. Original music encouraged. Whole weekend preferred.
  • WhatLate October. Paid, fees quoted ex GST, free camping.
  • Linkdorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au
St Albans Folk FestivalApplications close 31 August, annual
  • WhoTraditional and contemporary folk.
  • WhatApril, Hawkesbury. Apply by email. 2027 details are not out yet.
  • Linkstalbansfolkfestival.com.au
Narooma Oyster FestivalMusicians EOI open to 15 January 2027
  • WhoProfessional and emerging artists, bands, community groups.
  • What7–9 May 2027. The form asks your fee.
  • Linknaroomaoysterfestival.com
Tumbafest2027 performer EOI open
  • WhoNot stated.
  • WhatTumbarumba, 27–28 February 2027. They only reply if interested.
  • Linktumbafest.com.au
National Multicultural Festival, CanberraApplications mid-June to late July, annual
Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell: busking compRegistrations close late May, annual
  • WhoYouth and open categories. $20m public liability required.
  • WhatJune long weekend. $250 a category, People's Choice $150.
  • Linkhenrylawsonfestival.com.au
Lismore Lantern Parade2026 closed, back 2027

Venues with a Submission Form 2

Oxford Art FactoryRolling
  • WhoBio with your previous Sydney shows, a streaming link, a requested date.
  • WhatBand submission form for the Main Room (500) and Gallery (120).
  • Linkoxfordartfactory.com
The VanguardRolling
  • WhoBands with a proposal.
  • WhatPerformance proposal form, linked from their contact page.
  • Linkthevanguard.com.au

Songwriting Prizes and Comps 4

The Songwriting PrizeEntries open March 2027
  • WhoAny songwriter. $25 a song. Demos fine.
  • WhatJudged on the writing and theme; recording doesn't count. State finals in September; 2026 Sydney final was at Blackwattle Bar.
  • Linklistenupmusic.com.au
Australian Songwriting ContestClosed 31 May 2026, annual
  • WhoAmateur or professional, any nationality. Originals only, no AI.
  • What$33 a song for ASA members, $44 otherwise. 13 categories, judged anonymously by three or more judges.
  • Linkasa.songcentral.com.au
Vanda & Young Global Songwriting CompetitionNo 2026 round posted; 2025 ran July to October
  • WhoAny age, any country.
  • What$50 a song to Noro Music Therapy. Judged on melody, composition, originality and lyrics. Production and performance don't count.
  • Linkglobalsongcomp.com
triple j Unearthed competitionsWatch the page
  • WhoAustralian artists with a track on Unearthed. Most comps are region-limited.
  • WhatThe route into Yours & Owls, One Night Stand and Unearthed High. Upload first, then enter.
  • Linkabc.net.au

No Application Route

Sydney Festival · Majors Creek Festival · Thredbo Blues · Mullum Roots · Armidale Autumn Festival · Lane Cove Festival · Mosman Encore · Great Southern Nights · Lost Paradise · Beyond the Valley · Groovin the Moo · Mullum Roots · Winter Magic · Waywards · Sydney Con Jazz Festival. Nothing on their sites for artists.

Councils with no performer or busking route published: Cumberland, Wollondilly, The Hills, North Sydney, Woollahra, Cessnock, Shellharbour. Wingecarribee is still drafting its busking policy.

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