BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL REVEALS 2026 PROGRAMMING

Eight days of genre-hopping music, street parties and neighbourhood creativity celebrate Brunswick’s rich musical identity.

One of Melbourne’s longest-running and most loved community music festivals is back. Brunswick Music Festival returns from March 1 to 8, 2026, celebrating its 38th year with a vibrant, genre-hopping program that places community, culture, and creativity front and centre.

Presented by Merri-bek City Council and curated by local legend MzRizk, Brunswick Music Festival continues its proud tradition of championing the suburb’s deep musical roots while welcoming national and international artists into Brunswick’s streets, parks, galleries and beloved live music venues. The 2026 program reflects the true smorgasbord of sounds that define the area, from experimental jazz and hip hop to punk, devotional music and global dancefloor sounds.

Brunswick Music Festival

When: 1 – 8 March 2026

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The festival launches in spectacular fashion on Sunday March 1 with the Sydney Road Street Party. Spanning four stages, the day will showcase everything from surf-punk to South African jazz, Turkish classical music to youth Pasifika harmonies. Roving performances, pop-up acoustic sets, family-friendly programming and iconic venues opening their doors make it one of Melbourne’s most memorable days of the year.

Across the week, Brunswick’s venues will hum with activity. Brunswick Ballroom hosts a headline collaboration with Crown Ruler and Research Records, pairing Alfi Antico and Go Dugong with Khaled Kurbeh and RAFET. Dreamache presents Rita Bass in the multi-sensory performance Eternity is a Terrible Thought, while Horns of Leroy’s big brass bonanza promises to shake foundations. Howler, The Retreat, Jazzlab, The Bergy, Bar Spontana, Co-Conspirators and more will each offer something special.

The international focus remains strong, with headliners including Japanese hip-hop pioneer DJ Krush, Greek siblings Xylourides, French disco icon François K, and Ganavya, whose work draws together spiritual jazz and Indian devotional traditions.

The festival closes on Sunday March 8 with a free outdoor concert at Gilpin Park, inviting the entire community to recline under the trees from 2pm to 8pm. The lineup includes Fred Leone X Radio For Ghosts, Allysha Joy, Cool Out Sun, Jace Clayton and Pirritu.

Neighbourhood Noise also returns, activating spaces across Merri-bek including Counihan Gallery, Brunswick Library, Next Wave, Balam Balam Place and Blak Dot Gallery with performances, installations and creative experiments. New partnerships in 2026 include a pop-up exhibition at Found Sound, the return of That Paper Joint collaboration, and intimate artistic encounters at correspondences studio.

Mayor Nat Abboud describes the festival as a powerful celebration of the creativity, diversity and community spirit that defines Merri-bek, noting that having the festival curated by MzRizk brings a deeply local and meaningful perspective.

Brunswick Music Festival runs from March 1 to 8, 2026. Tickets and program details are available now here.