Nestled in the idyllic surrounds of Far North Queensland's Whitsundays, Airlie Beach Festival of Music is an oasis of live music where strangers become best mates for a weekend.
An annual event that attracts some of Australia's finest musicians and artists, Airlie Beach Festival of Music isn't your average festival experience.
With a tropical playground waiting for you set as the backdrop, as we declared in our 2025 event review, 'this festival isn't just a run of sets. It's a living entity shaped by every roar, every guitar riff, every shared moment between strangers who will never meet again but will always remember singing the same chorus under the same canvas.'
A finalist for Festival Of The Year at 2026 Queensland Music Awards, the festival – in partnership with some of the region’s premier tourism providers – is putting up for grabs the ultimate live music experience for its 2026 instalment (6-8 November).
With the likes of Xavier Rudd, Mental As Anything, The Whitlams, The Radiators, Adam Harvey and 19-Twenty already confirmed to play in 2026, the festival is again shaping up as the ultimate festivation to a freakin' awesome November destination.
The festival has launched the Party In Paradise package prize, valued at over $5,000. The winner (and their +1) will score for themselves:
• 2x VIP festival passes (valued at $2,300)
• 5 nights in a Waterview Queen Room at Heart Hotel, Airlie Beach (valued at $1,325)
• 2x Ocean Rafting Fly & Raft tours, comprising scenic flights over Heart Reef plus Whitehaven Beach day trips (valued at $1,106)
• Daily breakfasts at The Deck, Airlie Beach (valued at $320)
• 1x seafood platter for two at Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill (valued at $159)
Festival founder, Gavin Butlin says the lucky winner would experience five days of 'pinch-me-moments', combining live music with all the trimmings of a tropical escape – simply by subscribing to the festival's digital newsletter – entries close at midnight on 17 May.
"This is more than just a ticket giveaway – it's a way for us to reward loyal fans while attracting new audiences to one of Australia's most iconic music events," Gavin says.
"We're inviting people to not only discover incredible live music, but to truly immerse themselves in paradise while they do so, on a long weekend of a lifetime.
"If you're already subscribed, just update your details in our new categories for phone numbers and postcodes and you'll go in the draw too – remembering that being a subscriber also gives you early access to artist announcements, exclusive offers, and festival updates, making it a win-win.
"Lastly, if you've already bought tickets, you can still enter, and if you're lucky enough to win, those purchased tickets can be refunded or legitimately transferred; we'll be contacting the winner by phone on Monday, 18 May, so stay tuned!"
2026 Airlie Beach Festival of Music runs 6-8 November 6-8, featuring 60-plus acts in 15 venues, and a waterfront main stage at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
Airlie Beach Festival of Music 2026 Line-up
Xavier Rudd
Mental As Anything
The Whitlams
The Radiators
Adam Harvey
19-Twenty
Skinny Living
Little Quirks
Monroe
The Mason Rack Band
Salt & Steel
The Wayward Suns
Loonaloop
JC And The Tree
Elestial
Harrison Cramond
Carinda Christie Band
Luke Ligtenberg
