THE Maleny Music Festival has been crowned Festival of the Year (People’s Choice) at the 2026 Queensland Music Awards, announced on the Gold Coast last Wednesday (April 22), marking a major milestone for the grassroots Sunshine Coast Hinterland event.
The win at the Queensland Music Awards, which celebrates 20 years of recognising the state’s most outstanding musicians and live music contributors, highlights the growing influence of community-led festivals across Queensland’s cultural landscape.
The awards span genres including blues, folk, hip-hop, country and electronic, with winners determined by a panel of more than 100 Australian and international industry professionals, alongside public voting in selected categories.
The People’s Choice awards also invited fans to vote across Festival of the Year, Regional Venue of the Year and Metro Venue of the Year – a process that saw strong engagement from audiences statewide.
For the Maleny Music Festival, the recognition caps a standout year defined by record ticket sales and a fully booked campground in 2025, reinforcing its reputation as one of Queensland’s most highly- regarded regional music gatherings.
Festival Director Rachel Clarke said the award reflects a long-standing commitment to a volunteer-driven, artist-focused model.
“We are absolutely thrilled with this award. Our business model is to provide employment for musicians and to ensure live music events continue to thrive,” Ms Clarke said.
She said the festival’s structure, run largely by volunteers, removes commercial pressures that can affect other events.
“Because we are volunteer run, we know the event will go ahead regardless. Of course we want it to be successful, but there’s no KPI hanging over our heads that risks cancellation,” she said.
“It gives everyone involved from musicians to organisers to audiences, the confidence to commit and be part of something special.”
Held each November, the three-day festival features more than 150 live performances, alongside markets, workshops, jam sessions, open mic events and bush poetry, attracting loyal audiences year after year. “It’s a relaxing, family-friendly event filled with incredible talent,” Ms Clarke said. “Festival goers can attend for a day or immerse themselves in the full weekend experience.
Early bird tickets for the Maleny Music Festival open May 1, with the event scheduled for November 6–8, 2026. www.malenymusicfestival.com/
