The ARIA Award for Best Music Festival is returning for a second year, giving Australian festivals another chance to be recognized for supporting homegrown talent. Organizers announced that the category will again focus on events that give Australian artists a meaningful place on their lineups.
Under the eligibility rules released with the announcement, festivals must feature either an Australian headline act or a lineup made up of at least 50 percent Australian artists. Eligible events must also be members of the Australian Festival Association. Entries for the 2026 award opened September 7 and will close September 18.
The category was introduced in 2025 as part of a broader effort to highlight the role festivals play in Australia’s live music industry. Laneway Festival became the first winner, with several other major Australian events also nominated.
