When the Nimbin Fringe Festival launches this October, sustainability won’t be an afterthought – it’ll be woven into every decision.
From refillable drinking-water stations, booking local talent, solar-powered stages, and a comprehensive waste management system, the festival is embedding environmental responsibility into its core infrastructure – a smart move for a community that’s championed sustainability for five decades.
Organisers say the festival is first and foremost for Nimbin. ‘We’re utilising our gorgeous existing venues, ensuring local businesses are involved and have a great and profitable weekend, while minimising our environmental and social impact.’
Perhaps most notable is the all-local line-up. The Nimbin Fringe features an impressive list of 60-plus Northern Rivers artists. Drastically cutting the festival’s music ‘miles’ and keeping money circulating in the local economy – the organisers are passionate about showcasing the epic talent we have right here. And with three times the number of applications that they could accept, it’s looking great for future events as well.
The Youth Tent with its Silent Disco and Youth Battle of the Bands comp will be sun-powered thanks to the Sunflower Trailer from SCU. Rainbow Power Company will also be in hosting a solar-powered recharging station for festivalgoers.
The ‘nimBIN Chickens’, a volunteer-powered project of the Sustainable Living Hub at 7 Sibley Street, will be helping to reduce waste for the event, providing recycling stations, filtered-water refills and a washing-up station. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable cups or purchase a nimBIN Chicken Keepkit at the ticket office.
The annual Weave and Mend Gathering will be joining the Nimbin Fringe this year, embodying repair culture in the heart of town, a free-entry/by-donation event which will honour Beltane and the local weaving community.
Low ticket prices, free children’s entry and companion tickets increase accessibility.
With plenty of free activities and activated public spaces, Nimbin Fringe welcomes locals and visitors whose budgets may be tight but don’t want to miss out. The aim is to put the rainbow village on show and prove that ‘There’s so much more to Nimbin’.
The Nimbin Fringe Festival runs from 30 October to 1 November.
Weekend passes are $120, kids under 12 are free. Day passes available.
Artists include: Hussy Hicks, Skyeater, Juman and the Soul Centrix, Human Dinosaur Machine, Hayley Grace and the Bay Collective, Shivam Rath, The Hoochers, Neil Junior, Leopard Zebra Tiger, Jimmy Willing and the Real Gone Hickups and an impressive comedy line up MCed by Marty Bright. With film, dance, poetry, theatre and so much more! For tickets and the line-up, check out nimbinfringe.com.au.
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