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.
The award will be presented as part of the 2026 ARIA Awards, which are scheduled for November 18 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. This year’s ceremony will also mark the 40th anniversary of the ARIA Awards.