Tamworth’s 54th festival celebrates ever-increasing crowds and plans ahead

The last notes have been played at the 54^th Tamworth Country Music Festival and the city is celebrating an extra successful event.

Tamworth Regional Council estimates more than 300,000 people headed to the Tamworth Country Music Festival across 10 days, watching more than 700 performers in free and ticketed events.

Early figures show that about 8000 music lovers attended the Opening Night concert, an increase from about 6000 last year, with similar-sized crowds returning to the park each night of the festival.

Festival Manager Barry Harley said the event’s strength could be seen not only in headline events, but in the way the community and the industry benefitted side by side.

“I think the reality of our festival is when the community benefits and the industry benefits, it’s a happy festival,” Mr Harley said.

“The vibe and atmosphere in Tamworth was so positive from day one, all the way through to the final busking championships on Sunday night.

“The Festival included many new and unique things, including the new Fringe Zone, but also featured the same elements fans return for year after year.

“This festival was truly special and moving for me, as I wrap up as the Festival Manager. I am eternally grateful and humbled.”

Mr Harley said there was a noticeable increase in numbers of visitors early, especially across the opening weekend.

“The first weekend, we experienced the largest crowd at our opening concert that we’ve had for many, many years,” he said; reports from venues and stakeholders were also positive.

More people camped in the CBD, too, with more than 1800 camp spots booked across the 10 days at the Design RV Riverside Camping Grounds, exceeding last year’s figures.

Peel St, aka the Boulevard of Dreams, saw 465 buskers registered across the festival.

Toyota FanZone hosted a line-up from emerging acts through to household names, while fans packed in for a pop-up performance by Troy Cassar-Daley, Lee Kernaghan, The Wolfe Brothers, and Max Jackson as a tribute to Mr Harley, who is retiring.

While the number of visitors is still being finalised, Tamworth Regional Council Executive Manager Creative Communities and Experiences, Peter Ross, said the biggest measure of success for the festival was the number of happy people.

“I think the immediate (measure of success) is just people’s faces, the crowds, the stories you hear from business owners, from community, from people who live here and go, ‘gee, that was a great festival’,” he said.

Mr Ross said the planned post festival review was designed to keep refining the experience for locals, visitors and businesses.

“It’s really important for businesses, for the community, and for us as a team to make sure we’re improving on those things that we can always improve on,” he said.

“We opened up the Fringe Zone (Peel St between Brisbane and Bourke streets), so there will be more spots for buskers, more toilets in the CBD, more spots to sit down in the shade and eat before you head off again down the street or into the park or all around the city.”

Next year that section of Peel St will be closed for all 10 days of the festival, so Fringe Zone will have expanded activities.

The new Toyota Star Maker winner, Jarrad Wrigley, said the festival was life-changing for artists who come to Australia’s Country Music Capital, particularly emerging artists coming through.

“Seeing the amount of talent in the new up-and-coming buskers … really goes to show that country music in Australia is in good hands,” he said.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said there was no better place for music lovers than Tamworth’s iconic festival.

“Closing out its 54^th year on a high, the Festival has once again shown that the vibrant atmosphere across Tamworth’s streets, pubs, and big stages is something you simply can’t find anywhere else in Australia,” he said.

“This event is an unforgettable experience that provides a major boost to local businesses and jobs who rely on our visitor economy, and like all visitors to Tamworth this past week, I can’t wait to return.”  

The Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival will be held from 15 to 24 January 2027.