Held every year since 1987 over six magical days and nights, from December 27 to January 1, The Woodford Folk Festival brings together more than 2,000 local, national and international, artists, musicians and presenters — making it the largest gathering of artists and musicians in Australia — to grace the stages of Woodfordia, the festival’s iconic site, since its 7th year.
Located near the charming rural town of Woodford — about an hour’s drive from Brisbane — it attracts over 120,000 people every year, with its vibrant celebration of music, comedy, arts and culture. All who travel to it will get the once-in-a-lifetime experience they were hoping for, with a whopping 1,600+ shows happening over the six days and six nights!
The festival begins each year with the iconic Opening Ceremony and closes with the spectacular showcase, on New Year’s Day. Can you think of a better way to end the year and start a new one? The festival’s deeply held tenets of inclusivity, creativity and cultural exchange translate into a lovely atmosphere of curiosity and joy.
When it comes to Woodfordia, it is a formerly barren dairy farm, which was carefully regenerated with over 140,000 subtropical rain forest trees, orchids, ferns and sedges, planted to create a habitat for butterflies and wildlife. With these magical surroundings, it would be difficult not to have the time of your life.
During the festival, Woodfordia is transformed into a village that hosts over 25,000 daily patrons, performers, stallholders, volunteers and organisers, which means that, for six days, the festival is actually the 67th largest town in Australia!
Every year, the program features concerts, dances, street theatre, writers’ panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, art and craft workshops, circus performances and workshops, parades and special events, and much, much more.
The festival streets are lined with restaurants, cafes, stalls and bars, ensuring that festival-goers nourish their bodies as well as their spirits. Tree-filled campgrounds, butterfly walks, ponds and wildlife complete the picturesque site, so it’s no wonder that many choose to camp onsite throughout the duration.
Woodford Folk Festival 2025-2026
This year’s program is, as ever, packed with thrilling, interesting and fun events, with everything from big-name bands performing, to meditations, walks and arts and crafts.
The Amphigrande venue will see artists like Maple Pet Dinosaur, San Cisco, Electric Fields, and The Tullamarines light up the stage. And, for the little ones, Whistle & Trick and Jen Wynter will be bringing whimsy and music that’ll delight the whole folk family.
Speaking of families, there are plenty of circus acts to enjoy and dance workshops with everything from Turkish and Mexican traditional dances to retro 1980s and old school hip-hop classes! Likewise, there are workshops for all kinds of instruments, think classics like guitar but also harmonica and even noseflute!
If you want to get your hands dirty, you’ll be able to learn iron work, weaving, how to plant-dye a tote bag, pottery, wood carving and more. You’d have to try not to leave with a new skill and a handmade memento to take home.
For something more slow-paced, there’s a book club, philosophical talks and storytelling sessions. Meditations, yoga sessions, and guided walks will ensure that you stay rooted in the present and appreciate the festival’s idyllic site.
As always, Woodford Folk Festival will end on New Year’s Day with a ceremony, The Renewal: The Beginning Is Now, which will celebrate the liminal space between the world of Woodfordia and the homes everyone will return to, and send off the wishes and dreams of all gathered into the light of this new year.
Practical information
Woodford Folk Festival will take place from December 27 to January 1. You can see this edition’s full program here.
This year, for the first time, powered campsites will now be located within the main festival campgrounds! That means you’ll be closer to all the action, with easy access to festival venues, amenities, and the buzzing community atmosphere, from the comfort of your campsite.
If you are camping and want a completely car-free festival, you can take a Festival Express Bus from Brisbane, Chermside or North Lakes to the festival, leaving on December 26 and returning on January 2. You can book it here for $55.
Because Woodfordia is so massive, there are shuttles running regularly throughout the festival. You can see this year’s schedule here.
Tickets range from $142 for a Day Pass to $682 for a Season Ticket With Camping for adults, $81 to $391 for festival-goers aged 13-17, and $25 to $91 for kids 6-12. You can get all types of tickets here.
📍87 Woodrow Rd, Woodford