Image Credit: Ian Laidlaw

Yours and Owls Festival Announces New 2026 Format: Wollongong to Become ‘Music City’

Yours and Owls to take over Wollongong once again!

Wollongong’s iconic Yours and Owls festival is shaking things up for 2026, promising a fresh experience while staying true to the vibrant spirit fans fell in love with in 2025.

After a dazzling debut on the stunning Flagstaff Hill foreshore, day one of the festival will return to familiar territory, offering the same high-energy performances against Wollongong’s breathtaking coastal backdrop.

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Day two, however, will take a bold new direction. The festival will transform the Steel City into a sprawling “Music City,” filling the streets and laneways of Wollongong with live music from big stages to hidden gems waiting to be discovered at every turn. Closed streets, intimate venues, and pop-up performances will turn the city centre into a musical playground for festival-goers to explore at their own pace.

The change is driven by a desire to keep the festival accessible and affordable in a challenging economic climate. “Having run this festival for a touch over 10 years (some would call that a lifetime and others just the blink of an eye), one thing we have become accustomed to is a changing landscape,” says promoter Ben Tillman.

“Whether it be bushfires, floods, a global pandemic, or the cost-of-living crisis, we have always found a way forward. At times this has meant being flexible and adapting to new conditions; a format change, moving sites or rethinking our approach entirely. But the one thing that has always remained, and stays with us still, is our commitment to deliver the best festival, grounded in what we believe a festival should be. A place to connect to music and community, a place to lose yourself, discover something new and have an adventure. In a world that feels increasingly heavy and chaotic, we want to offer a place to unwind and have a good time. We want to offer an unforgettable experience whilst making sure we’re viable and able to come back and grow year on year, and we feel that this 2026 festival model will allow us to achieve that.”

Tillman emphasises the festival’s enduring mission: to create a place where music and community intersect, offering connection, discovery, and adventure in an increasingly chaotic world.

To celebrate the announcement, a limited number of first-release tickets will be available at a 15% discount from 8 am AEST today. The full lineup will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Fans are encouraged to sign up here and follow the festival’s channels for updates.