Bluesfest has cancelled, just weeks before it was to go ahead over the Easter weekend at its festival site in Tyagarah.
As for ticket refunds, the appointed liquidator has said, ‘At this stage, it seems unlikely that you will be refunded from the liquidation any money, but we will notify you if the position changes’. See FAQ below.
Headliners included Parkway Drive, Erykah Badu, The Wailers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sublime, Counting Crows, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, and many more.
In a media release, Bluesfest said, ‘After 36 years as Australia’s most awarded music festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest has made the difficult decision not to proceed with the 2026 event’.
‘We are deeply saddened by this outcome and the impact it will have on our artists, staff, partners, vendors and the many loyal Bluesfest fans who have been part of the festival’s journey for more than three decades.
‘For more than three decades, Bluesfest has been a cornerstone of Australia’s live music calendar and a major contributor to the regional visitor economy. In 2025, the festival generated approximately $65 million in indirect tourism spending for Byron Bay, $130 million across the Northern Rivers region, and around $230 million in economic activity across New South Wales. The festival has supported local businesses, tourism operators, hospitality venues, suppliers and the broader creative community.
Operating environment
‘This decision follows extensive consideration of the current operating environment for major live music events. Rising production, logistics, insurance and touring costs, combined with softer ticket demand and international uncertainties, have made it impossible to proceed with the festival in 2026.
Festival Director Peter Noble OAM said, “For more than three decades, Bluesfest has brought extraordinary artists and audiences together in Byron Bay while also driving significant tourism and economic activity for the Northern Rivers and NSW”.
‘This makes the decision incredibly difficult. After careful consideration, we concluded we could not proceed in a way that would meet the standard our audiences, artists and partners expect.”
Liquidator appointed
‘A liquidator has been appointed to manage all financial matters for Bluesfest Byron Bay, including vendor and partner obligations. Ticket holders, including parking pass customers and campers, will be contacted directly by the appointed liquidator with further information regarding the process for submitting claims and any potential refund arrangements.
‘Further information for vendors, suppliers and partners will be communicated directly to the relevant stakeholders. Matters relating to vendors, suppliers and other stakeholders will be managed through the appropriate financial administration processes.
‘Bluesfest acknowledges the disappointment this decision will bring to the Byron Bay and Northern Rivers community and to the many loyal fans who have travelled from across Australia and around the world to be part of the festival over many years. We thank the many local businesses, partners, artists and audiences who have supported the festival over its remarkable 36-year history’, the Bluesfest statement says.
Ticket Holders FAQ
The following is Frequently Asked Questions for Ticket Holders of
Bluesfest Enterprises Pty Ltd (In Liquidation by Worrells)
What happened to Bluesfest Enterprises Pty Ltd?
On 12 March 2026 Bluesfest Enterprises Pty Ltd A.C.N. 674 992 440 (“the company”) was placed into liquidation with Jason Bettles of Worrells being appointed liquidator.
The company has ceased trading its business and is not in a position to run the Byron Bay Bluesfest Festival.
What is liquidation?
Liquidation is the process of winding up a company’s financial affairs, dismantling the company’s structure, conducting appropriate investigations, and enabling a fair distribution of company’s assets to its creditors.
This liquidation has occurred because the company cannot pay all of its debts (ie. it is insolvent) and the director and shareholder saw no future for the company.
You can obtain further information about the liquidation process from the fact sheet on the Australian Securities & Investments Commissions website (www.asic.gov.au).
Liquidation: A guide for creditors | ASIC
Will ticket holders get a refund?
If you are a ticket holder, parking pass customer or camper you may wish to lodge a claim in the liquidation for the amount of money you have paid to the company.
You can lodge this claim online at the File Information page of our website.
At this stage it seems unlikely that you will be refunded from the liquidation any money, but we will notify you if the position changes.
If you paid the company on a credit or debit card you may be entitled to have the charge reversed. You will need to contact the financial institution (eg. bank) who issued your credit/debit card about this because it is not a process in which the liquidator is involved.
What are my rights?
The liquidator cannot provide ticket holders with advice on what they should do in these circumstances as each ticket holder’s circumstances are different and we cannot provide specific advice to you.
Should you wish to obtain advice on your rights then you will need to seek your own legal advice.
Who can I contact at Worrells?
If you have any queries that are not answered on this FAQ please email
[email protected] and someone will respond to your query.
As we are experiencing a high level of enquiries in relation to the company it may take us some time to get back to you.
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