One of Melbourne's most beloved community festivals, Brunswick Music Festival returns in 2026 for its 38th edition celebrating creativity, diversity and independent spirit.
Curated by local legend Mz Rizk and produced by Merri-bek City Council, Brunswick Music Festival takes place 1-8 March, kicking off with its famed family-friendly Sydney Road Street Party featuring four stages overflowing with the sounds of surf-punk to South African jazz, Turkish classical to youth Pasifika harmonies.
Brunswick Music Festival also welcomes a number of international artists in 2026, led by Japanese hip hop OG DJ Krush, Italian pair Alfio Antico & Go Dugong, Berlin-based Syrian musician Khaled Kurbeh, and French disco icon François K.
Brunswick Ballroom will again host a stack of concerts alongside events at Howler, The Retreat, Jazzlab, The Bergy, Bar Spontana, Co Conspirators and other reliable live music locales.
Counihan Gallery, Brunswick Library, Next Wave, Balam Balam Place and Blak Dot Gallery will activate spaces as part of Merri-bek's Neighbourhood Noise programme with live performances, activities and interactive installations – from punk energy at the Library, to music and image in-conversation at Counihan Gallery, and an installation by multidisciplinary artist Leon Rodgers at Next Wave.
The festival then wraps up with the traditional Gilpin Park free concert featuring Fred Leone X Radio For Ghosts, Allysha Joy, Cool Out Sun, Jace Clayton and Pirritu.
"For nearly four decades, the festival has championed local venues, artists and cultural expression, while welcoming extraordinary national and international talent to our streets, parks and neighbourhood spaces," Merri-bek City Council Mayor Nat Abboud says.
"Council is proud to present a festival that brings people together through music, shared experiences and a deep connection to place – having the festival curated by local legend Mz Rizk is something I'm personally really excited about."
Brunswick Music Festival (Melbourne) takes place 1-8 March, and is a mix of free and ticketed events.
