Tamworth Country Music Festival

The Tamworth Country Music Festival is the largest country music festival held in Australia and usually takes place in January each year.

Since 1973, the Tamworth Country Music Festival typically runs over two weeks. It celebrates everything in country, including live music, gala dinners, and award shows.

The Tamworth Country Music Festival is an experience like no other! It is not gated, so you do not need to purchase a ticket.

From free shows every night in the park to buskers, stalls, kids activities and street performers, there is something for everyone! Choose from thousands of free and ticketed shows over the ten days in the pubs, clubs and hotels around Tamworth. The whole of Tamworth is in full festival swing!

Australia’s largest celebration of country music and longest-running Festival will return to the country music capital in January 2025, with a huge line-up of artists and ticketed shows announced for the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival will kick off on 17 January 2025 with the Opening Concert in Toyota Park, the Festival’s largest venue. Ten epic nights of free entertainment will include Americana In the Park, Toyota Best of the Buskers, and the Toyota Star Maker Top 10 Grand Final. At the same time, Toyota FanZone will see hundreds of artists perform for free in the main Festival precinct.

The Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre (TRECC) features the ‘star of the show’, the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards, which celebrate the recording excellence of Australasian country music over the last 12 months. The hosts for the Golden Guitar Awards in 2025 will be two of the country’s hottest dynamos, Max Jackson and James Johnston. Their combined energy is sure to make magic on the night.

While the rest of the world is just discovering how cool country music is, seasoned fans have requested that two of their favourites return on the same day and time as in the last few years. Troy Cassar-Daley, recipient of the most Golden Guitar awards, and Lee Kernaghan OAM will return to TRECC on Thursday, 23 January. Australian icon John Williamson will kick off his 80th birthday year with a special performance on Friday, 25 January, at TRECC.

The Tamworth Town Hall, known as the spiritual home of country music, has a huge line-up of shows that celebrate the future and rich history of Australian and New Zealand country music. A huge line-up of artists will help raise funds for the McGrath Foundation at the annual Music For McGrath Concert, and Amber Lawrence brings back her Tamworth’s Biggest Kids Country Show with songs from her Kids Gone Country albums as well as a Taylor Swift song set; Amber Joy Poulton pays tribute to the late Loretta Lynn with her Coal Miner’s Daughter – The Story Of Loretta Lynn & Friends show; the CCMA present their long-running National Jamboree showcasing a new generation of country; the popular People’s Choice Awards returns to recognise and reward; the Royal Flying Doctor Service will present their inaugural Songs For The Skies, a spectacular musical variety show and charity fundraiser; plus more shows on sale for Ashleigh Dallas, Fanny Lumsden, Graeme Connors, Kasey Chambers, and Travis Collins.

The Capitol Theatre, Tamworth’s premier live entertainment venue, has many events on sale, including many much-loved tribute shows. Darren Coggan returns with his successful Remember The Days Of Cat Stevens show; Mark Shelley will present his two popular shows, Classic Country featuring The Crooked Button Band with Ian Lees, Jack Evans, Mark Shelley and Narelle Evans and The Roy Orbison Story with Mark honouring the songs of Orbison; Tania Kernaghan & Jason Owen – Together In Concert; Pixie Jenkins with Donella Waters and Josh Powell-Fussell present The Most Outrageous Dolly & Kenny Show; Western Australia’s Gary Anderson presents his internationally renowned Elvis – The Golden Years, a live re-creation of the great entertainer, Elvis Presley, live on-stage; 2024 Golden Guitar winner Liam Kennedy-Clark and Melody Moko will present The Songs & Heartbreak of Tammy Wynette and George Jones; Amber Joy Poulton brings back her Man! I Feel Like A Woman show: Victoria McGee will deliver two shows this year, including her Life and Songs of Patsy Cline and her new All American Country Show featuring an initial line-up of artists including Craig Woodward, Ross Webb and Aimee Hannan.

In addition to the tribute shows these popular artists will also be at the Capitol, including Melissa Bajric’s and Lindsay Waddington’s special Tamworth edition show, Duncan Toombs, Brian Letton, Melinda Schneider, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, and singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson. Plus, The Golden Fiddle Awards returns to showcase and award the most amazing and accomplished violinists and fiddlers from around the globe.

The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame will host Pixie Jenkins for a special show on Sunday, January 26. And where better for Pixie to hold a show than the Hall of Fame, having played for, supported, and recorded with many of the biggest names in the business?

Tamworth Country Music Festival is not just about the music. If you are after some thrilling action, then the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) will be the place to be, with rodeos set to return on both weekends of the Festival.

The Amazing Race competitors and multi–Golden Guitar award winners Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley will perform at Wests’ Diggers with Festival darling Amber Lawrence, risqué Kevin Bloody Wilson, country music troubadour Andrew Swift, bona fide family band Haystack Mountain Hermits, everyone’s favourite Irish band Murphy’s Pigs and well-known Festival events Country Turns Pink and the Maton Guitar Showcase are set to wow audiences across both venues.

You’ll find Tamworth locals Andrew Farriss (INXS) and country rock artist Jayne Denham at Tamworth’s underground whiskey bar, The Press Basement Bar, which will also play host to Australis – Stories of a Southern Land featuring Anne Fraser, Mem Davis, Andrew Ryan, Owen Smith, Peter Smokie Dawson, and Amy Ryan.

The Pub Group will deliver what the fans want and tailor each venue accordingly. Ticketed shows on sale at the Longyard Hotel include all the great bands: The Viper Creek Band, The Wolfe Brothers, The Bushwackers, The Pigs, Dragon, Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows, The Johnny Cash Tribute Show, and the 44th Toyota Star Maker Wade Forster plus Lyn Bowtell and her famous friends, Max Jackson, Casey Barnes, Sara Storer, Lane Pittman, Country Under The Vines fundraising show, and the Longyard Bush Poets Breakfast.

Returning to Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, direct from Nashville’s famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge, is US artist John Stone. Stone’s career has spanned over two decades of epic performances. Also performing at Moonshiners are 2024 Australian Idol Dylan Wright, Brother Hollow, Hayley Jensen, The Wet Whistles, Taylor Moss, Loren Ryan, Billie-Jo Porter, Jake Davey, Colin Lillie, Darlinghurst, Louisiana Hayride, and Paul Costa.

Carnival of Cups, hosted by Harness Racing New South Wales, returns in 2025 to Tamworth’s Golden Guitar Paceway with a free all-ages event on Friday, 17 January. The trackside entertainment will feature some of the biggest names in Australian music, headlined by the iconic Daryl Braithwaite. He will be supported by country star, local favourite Lane Pittman, and The Buckleys and Tori Darke.

Andrew Clermont’s International Supper Club is back at the North Tamworth Bowling Club, where musicians and songwriters gather worldwide. The shows are never the same and present a kaleidoscope of music to keep you on your toes all week.

So many events are held during the festival that it’s impossible to feature them all here. Please refer to the official website’s event schedule for a full list of artists, set times, stages, and locations.

Golden Guitar Awards

The Golden Guitars are at the heart of it all – at the heart of the journey for both artists and fans alike.

The night is the pinnacle awards event for country music, celebrating recording excellence and showcasing the cream of Australian country music artists and the songs that have left their mark on the fans throughout the past 12 months.

In 2025, we celebrate’ all the country’s colours’—the genres, identities, and music. We are thrilled to have two of the country’s hottest dynamos, Max Jackson and James Johnston, as our Hosts. Their combined energy is sure to make magic on the night.

This event is much more than the presentation of the coveted Golden Guitars—it’s a fast-paced concert that’s a night of nonstop entertainment and special magic moments you won’t see anywhere else.

Busking

The Toyota Country Music Busking Championships is one of the most anticipated aspects of the Festival each year – up to 400 buskers performing on Tamworth’s “Boulevard of Dreams” in Peel Street.

Some of the buskers are here in the hope that they’ll be spotted for their talent and follow in the footsteps of some of the country’s biggest stars. Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, and Keith Urban all started by busking on Peel Street.

Some buskers, however, are just here to experience all the fun and excitement of the Festival. Whatever your reason for busking, get ready to register for one of the biggest busking events in the world!

Busking is totally free! Registration is required for identification and insurance purposes.

Each year, ten buskers are chosen by judges and invited to perform at the Toyota Busking Championships in Toyota Park on the last weekend of the festival. Buskers compete for a cash prize and the coveted People’s Choice. The People’s Choice Prize is voted by audience members digitally.

Country Music Parade

The 2025 Tamworth Country Music Parade is set to make its grand return in a brand-new format, offering fans a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with their favourite country music stars in person.

The parade will replicate the ever-popular cavalcade event, celebrating the very best of Australian country music. Festival attendees will witness the excitement of a traditional street parade, where they can catch glimpses of their beloved stars up close and personal.

Get ready for an unforgettable day of music, excitement, and camaraderie. The 2025 Tamworth Country Music Parade is your chance to be a part of country music history. Bring your passion for music, creativity, and enthusiasm, and join us as we celebrate the heart and soul of Australian country music. We can’t wait to see you there!

Toyota FanZone

The Toyota FanZone experience is a FREE and jam-packed event across the festival’s ten days.

Toyota FanZone offers festival goers the opportunity to get up close and personal with their favourite country music artists. Throughout the festival, some artists will sign and sell merchandise at FanZone.

During the ten days at FanZone, visitors can enjoy live performances from 150+ artists and musicians! FanZone is a place to discover some of the biggest names in country music playing alongside some of the finest emerging talent.

Located in the heart of the Festival on the corner of Peel and Fitzroy Streets and playing music from approx. 9am daily.

Toyota Park

Tamworth’s picturesque Bicentennial Park is transformed into Toyota Park for the Toyota Country Music Festival, which offers 10 nights of FREE entertainment from 7pm.

Artists perform on the outdoor stage, where you can sit back with your camp chair, picnic rug or on the grass and enjoy!

XXXX Country Club Experience is an exclusive and strictly limited opportunity to soak up live entertainment undercover with the best seat in Toyota Park.

Your entry fee gives you access to Toyota Park’s only licensed area. Numbers are strictly limited, so grab your ticket while you can.

The Wiggles

Point your fingers and get ready to wiggle in January! The Wiggles are taking a road trip to Australia’s Country Music Capital and will perform two shows during the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2025!

Today, the multi-award-winning children’s music group released a new single and video that promises to rev up the fun. Big Red Ute is a lively country-rock-infused anthem that invites young listeners (and parents alike) to hop on board for an exciting musical journey and sing all the way to Tamworth!

For the first time, The Wiggles have also unveiled their brand new, official roadworthy vehicle, the Big Red Ute.

The Wiggles will take their show off-road and perform two very special shows on January 21 at AELEC. It’s the first time they will perform in such a unique venue, which is usually reserved for Rodeos and Horse-Cutting events.

Family Zone

The whole family can enjoy an abundance of fun at the Toyota Country Music Festival, with dedicated family zones, family concerts, and heaps of kids’ activities!

The whole family can enjoy dodgem cars, a Ferris wheel, the sound wave ride, bungees, water balls, teacups and more!

There are a range of family-friendly concerts and activities throughout the festival, great for kids of all ages.

Must do’s:

• Wander down Peel Street and experience the vibrancy of the buskers and street performers
• Don’t miss the free concerts at Toyota Park
• Stop by the Big Golden Guitar for a family ‘selfie’
• Visit the AELEC for the 2025 ABCRA National Finals Rodeo
• Spend hours at our award-winning Tamworth Regional Playground, where children of all ages will find endless enjoyment

Party Vibes

Come January, the biggest names of the Australian country music industry will walk the streets and rub shoulders with the thousands of fans who make the pilgrimage through the sky, along the roads, and click-clacking on the train tracks, gathering for 10 sun-soaked days of anthems and a belter of a good time.

Here are our top tips for having the time of your life at the Toyota Country Music Festival in Tamworth:

Good ole’ fashion Pub Crawl
Over 120 venues participate in the festival, making for one hell of a pub crawl. Our suggestions near the CBD are The Courthouse Hotel, the Family Hotel, the Post Office Hotel, Joe Maguires Pub, the Longyard Hotel, the Oasis Hotel, the Southgate Inn, the Tamworth Hotel, and The Pub.

Jump on the bus
No more scissors, paper, or rock on who has to be the designated driver for the night with the Festival Express! This bus service runs at regular intervals for the full ten days of the festival, letting you easily move from venue to venue. Plus, it’s cheap: buy a 10-day wristband for only $40 or $15 for a daily wristband, which gives you unlimited rides!

Ride ’em Cowboy
Get into the real country spirit with a trip to the AELEC for the ABCRA National Finals, which showcase elite Rodeo and Campdraft action. P.S. Yes, there are bar and canteen facilities available!

This is where new friends are made at the bar, and old ones are embraced under the glinting Golden Guitar. Days are spent discovering exciting new talent, and nights are spent dancing on sticky pub floors and the cool grass of Bicentennial Park under a velvet dome of stars.

Other Festival Activities

Helicopter flights
See the festival from the sky with a scenic helicopter flight around the Tamworth area. A brilliant way to see the sheer scale of the festival. Taking off from the Gipps Street Playing fields, it’s a view from the top!

Enaex Strong Man/Woman Competition
See competitors from near and far compete in the Strong Man / Woman competition at the Toyota Country Music Festival! It will be great to watch with a Truck Pull, a Flintstone Deadlift, Log Pressing, Loading Races, and Barrel Stones.

Platform Sessions
Each day of the festival, one of the top 10 Star Maker finalists will play at the Tamworth train station as the train rolls in in the afternoon!

Hands of Fame Induction
The Country Music Hands of Fame Cornerstone is a free experience, accessible all year round, at the corner of Kable Avenue and Brisbane Street, Tamworth. New inductees are imprinted annually on the second Saturday morning of the TCMF.

Galaxy of the Stars Ceremony
Each year, stars are recognised with star-shaped plaques set into the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre to celebrate their place in country music.

2025 ABCRA National Finals Rodeo
With top honours up for grabs, the nation’s best cowgirls and cowboys will throw everything on the line in a battle of speed, agility and determination across all junior and senior rodeo events including saddle bronc, bull ride, bareback, steer wrestling, barrel race, rope and tie, breakaway roping, steer undecorating and team roping.

Getting There

Driving
Tamworth is 405km northwest of Sydney, 280km from Newcastle and 570km south of Brisbane.

Flying
Get to Tamworth quickly and easily with daily flights.

Train
Get to Tamworth by rail with daily train services from Sydney and Armidale.

Coach tours
There are quite many coach tours from each state to give you an exciting and enjoyable trip.

Getting around the festival

Festival express bus
Jump on the Festival Express to avoid the traffic and easily get between venues! All Festival Express buses are accessible, with low-access wheelchair-friendly entry.

Taxi
Take a taxi ride and zoom between venues with ease.
The CBD taxi rank is on Fitzroy Street outside Peel House (near the Tamworth Town Hall).