Costume Party - The Royal High Jinx. Photo © 2025 Adam Purcell - Melbourne Ceili Camera. CresFest 2025 - Wayapurra Hall (CNC) - 5 April 2025

CresFest Returns to Creswick with a World-Class Lineup for 2026

There’s something special brewing this April in the gold-rush town of Creswick.

A short drive from Ballarat, the historical town will once again transform into a vibrant hub of music, dance and community spirit when CresFest returns from 10–12 April 2026. 

Now proudly heading into its fifth year, CresFest has quickly carved out a reputation as one of regional Victoria’s most inspiring music festivals. A weekend where intimate venues, welcoming locals and world-class artists come together for a uniquely immersive live music experience. What can you expect? Across three days, the festival activates the entire township, filling heritage halls, pubs and community spaces with performances, workshops and wholesomely spontaneous musical moments. 

Cresfest

When: Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April 2026

Where: Various venues across Creswick

Keep connected to your live music scene here.

 

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International stars meet regional soul

Leading the 2026 lineup are acclaimed American sisters Natalie Haas and Brittany Haas, a dynamic string duo known for their electrifying reinterpretations of traditional music. Natalie, a Juilliard-trained cellist, and Brittany, a virtuoso fiddler, have built a global following through their genre-blending approach to folk and roots traditions. 

They join an impressive international and Australian lineup including legendary Scottish Celtic guitarist Tony McManus, South African singing sensation Makepisi, Italian folk innovators Riccardo Tesi and Giua, blues powerhouse Fiona Boyes, iconic folk outfit The Bushwackers, and the deeply respected Indigenous singer-songwriter Uncle Frank Yamma. 

Together with more than 45 artists from across Australia and beyond, the lineup spans blues, folk, Celtic, roots, world music and more, reflecting the festival’s open-hearted musical philosophy. 

More than just a music festival

But CresFest is more than a series of concerts. 

One of the event’s defining features is its participatory spirit. Throughout the weekend, audiences are invited to jump into workshops, community singing sessions, dance events and street parades, blurring the line between performer and audience. 

A highlight of the weekend is the festival’s colourful street celebration, where brass bands and local school students fill the streets with music in a New Orleans-style procession through town.

Local musicians are also a core part of the festival’s DNA, with opportunities to learn directly from visiting artists through workshops and collaborative performances. 

A festival built by community 

What makes CresFest truly special, though, is its grassroots origin story. 

The festival began as a project of the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre before growing into a fully fledged not-for-profit event supported by hundreds of volunteers and a passionate local community. 

It’s that community-first approach that has helped CresFest earn recognition well beyond the town limits including honours at the Australian Folk Music Awards for its contribution to culture and community. 

For visitors, the result is something rare: a festival where world-class artists perform just metres away, where every venue is within walking distance, and where the entire town feels part of the celebration. 

As CresFest continues to grow, it remains rooted in the same simple idea, bringing people together through the joy of live music.

Find out more about CresFest and book your tickets to the 2026 festivities here.