The Big Sing - DeborahN. Photo © 2025 Adam Purcell - Melbourne Ceili Camera. CresFest 2025 - Primary School Stage - 6 April 2025

CresFest may just be one of the most inspired festivals in Victoria

With their first round of artist announcements out for 2026, the festival finds the sweet spot between being a community event and an Australian music festival heavyweight.

Heading out to west-central Victoria, you’ll find one of the most charming and hardworking communities. Known for their stake in gold rush history and their proud production of wool, Creswick may be small in population, but it is mighty when it comes to community and the championing of music.

This is where CresFest plays a big role.

CresFest 2026

When: Friday 10 April – Sunday 12 April 2026

Where: Various venues in the Creswick township.

First Artist Announcement

Isabel Rumble

Fiona Boyes

Makepisi

The Bushwackers

Tony McManus

Uncle Frank

Yamma

Dr. Humble’s Bubbles

Hoodoo Mayhem

Liz Frencham

Lucy Wise Duo

Queen of Hearts

Riccardo Tesi and Gua

Keep connected to your live music scene here.

 

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CresFest has become a staple to the Creswick and surrounds calendar. Designated as a folk and roots music festival, CresFest has become so much more to the township, reigniting the spirit of community across a weekend of performance. The festival in its essence is about the joy of live music – playing it, hearing it, watching it, dancing to it, learning it and being inspired by it – and for it’s fifth year its already setting up the scene nicely.

Taking place in the heart of the township, just 15 minutes from Ballarat, CresFest will see the activation of up to 18 small venues across three days. Running from Friday 10 April until Sunday 12 April, the three day festival will see dance and music performances from a diverse range of performers, including international names and local newcomers.

The first artist announcement has dropped featuring a sparkling range of roots and folk flavour. In the frontrunner position you have Isabel Rumble, leading a huge list of names including Fiona Boyes, Makepisi, The Bushwackers, Tony McManus, Uncle Frank, Yamma, Dr. Humble’s Bubbles, Hoodoo Mayhem, Liz Frencham, Lucy Wise Duo, Queen of Hearts, and Riccardo Tesi and Gua.

That’s the big drawcards, but CresFest is more than a concert. The program is packed with workshops including singing, dancing, and playing, giving you the chance to actively participate in the unique and lively offering. You have the chance to learn new skills and take part in the Second Line comes to Creswick extravaganza, a dedicated street event which pulls from a particular theme. This one follows on from the raving successes of Rhythms of Frica in 2025, Klezmer in 2023, and Bollywood in 2022. The streets further come to life on Saturday 11 April as the centre of town is clouded by the New Orleans style brass bands and a host of Creswick School children supported by adult community musicians from the district.

For budding performers, try out your chops by entering the IGA Busking Competition for the chance to win great prizes and have the eternal glory of being champion, or if competing is too much pressure, jump up on the Open Mic stage. Further championing local music makers, each year local players are invited to take part in workshops, to learn from and perform with the visiting professionals, in a true two-way collaboration that brings new skills and renewed enthusiasm to musicians.

Not only do you get the chance to be immersed in live music, you’re able to step into the historic and beautiful buildings that make Creswick special. It’s a full town takeover and one that comes from an inspired approach – community first through a coming together of music.

CresFest has grown into something truly special in the heart of west-central Victoria. Budding from a project of the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in 2022, to flowering into a fully fledged Not For Profit in 2025, CresFest is a product of community support, standing 3000 strong and growing every year.

To find out more about CresFest, including ticketing information and programming, head here. The second lineup drop is coming 15 October. Watch this space!