Double The Fun At Airlie Beach Festival of Music

Main Tent overlooking the water. Photo Credit: Bailey Simmons.

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Where live music meets the Great Barrier Reef, the Airlie Beach Festival of Music is doubling the fun this year, introducing limited two-day passes for music lovers short on time or budget.  

With spectacular sea views from the main stage at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, the festival has become one of the Whitsundays' standout calendar events, combining live music with a scenic waterfront setting.

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This year, new $250 two-day passes are being introduced, aimed at music lovers who may be short on money or time.

“This year, we have what’s called the ‘Foo Fighters’ ticket,” festival founder Gavin Butlin said.  

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“The Foo Fighters are playing in Townsville on the same Saturday as our festival, so for the music buffs that really want to come to both, this means they can.”  

Mr Butlin said giving music lovers the added flexibility to choose their preferred combination of days, was another bonus.  

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“Pick the Saturday and Sunday option, or the Friday and Saturday, and if you want to duck up the road to see the Fooeys on the Saturday, you can still come to the festival on the Friday and Sunday – it’s a win-win, but you’ll need to get in quick as numbers are strictly limited,” he said.  

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In keeping with the double-the-fun theme, the festival has also appointed both Nathan Cavaleri, and explosive Australian blues, roots, and rock trio 19-Twenty, as dual ambassadors for the 2026 event.  

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19-Twenty frontman, Kane Dennelly, said having played the Airlie Beach Festival of Music two years previously, he and his bandmates were “stoked” to return to the town that seemingly comes alive.  

“It’s an amazing festival with its heart in the right place,” he said.  

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“It's not a festival that's all about generating income and trying to squeeze everyone – it's about: hey, we've got amazing artists in this country, come and hang in Airlie – an amazing place in this country – and let's all leave feeling better than when we arrived”.  

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For Nathan Cavaleri, flying the festival flag alongside his good mates 19-Twenty, is another way to share their passion for bringing joy to people’s lives through music.  

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“I crave experiences like this because when you go to a festival like Airlie Beach, the only things that matter are the tropics, the music, the good people, having some drinks, having some laughs, feeling some feels, and that is all you need to do,” he said.  

“So, to those who are interested in coming to the festival, much like a holiday, you’ve got to book that stuff in, so when you’re dealing with that daily grind you’ve got something to look forward to.”  

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Festival-goers can imagine their weekend at a packed main stage program, with each day offering a different lineup of artists set to keep the crowd moving.  

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On Friday 6^th November, this year’s 11 regional Passport to Airlie winners will battle it out for the ultimate win, followed by 2025 Passport winners, Melbourne act, Monroe, and finishing with the legendary Xavier Rudd.  

Saturday 7^th November kicks off with Salt & Steel, followed by Skinny Living (UK), 19-Twenty, Conrad Sewell, The Whitlams and The Radiators.  

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Sunday 8^th November starts with Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento, leading into Adam Harvey, Nathan Cavaleri, and Little Quirks, with Mark Seymour and Mental As Anything bringing the house down for the closing sets.  

In total, the Airlie Beach Festival of Music features 60-plus acts, spread throughout 16 venues, including the iconic, waterfront main stage, at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.  

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Beyond the music, the festival offers visitors another reason to explore the region, with the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach just a short boat trip from Airlie Beach. The combination of live entertainment and the surrounding natural attractions makes for a memorable weekend.

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Tickets are on sale now at www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au costing $340 for a three-day pass, or $1,200 for a VIP package, both including entry to the opening and after parties that bookend the main event.  

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