Festival season is here. Whether you're counting down at Beyond The Valley, recovering at Field Day or front row at Knockout, this guide has outfit ideas, packing lists and the best festival sunglasses for every major festival near Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
We've covered the big ones, the festivals that pull crowds in the tens of thousands. Each one has its own page with outfit ideas for its crowd, a packing checklist and our picks from the Beamin range. Pick your festival below.
Sydney festivals
Sydney's festival calendar runs from hardstyle in October to New Year's Day in The Domain and indie in Centennial Park in February. Lost Paradise is an hour north at Glenworth Valley.
Melbourne festivals
Melbourne festival-goers road-trip. Beyond The Valley, Meredith and Golden Plains are all around 1.5 hours away, while Pitch in the Grampians and Strawberry Fields on the Murray are worth the longer drive. Spilt Milk now has a home in Geelong.
Brisbane festivals
Brisbane's season peaks with Wildlands on New Year's Eve, and Spilt Milk is an hour down the road on the Gold Coast. Laneway and Good Things both play Brisbane Showgrounds.
How to choose festival sunglasses
Your sunglasses are the one accessory you'll wear from the first set to the last, so pick them for the festival you're going to:
- Rave, hardstyle and trance: full shields like STROBZ stay on while you jump and catch the lasers.
- Camping festivals: wraparounds block wind, dust and glare from the side. Bring a spare.
- Indie and rock: slim 90s frames and chunky acetate squares suit the look.
- Pop festivals: colour-mirror Y2K wraps in lavender, lime and green.
Whatever the style, look for UV400 lenses, which block UVA and UVB rays. Every Beamin pair has them.
The festival packing essentials
- UV400 sunglasses (and a spare for multi-day festivals)
- Sunscreen, a hat and electrolytes
- A warm layer for nights at camping festivals
- Comfortable shoes you can stand in for 10+ hours
- A power bank and a small, secure bag
- Earplugs for the big sound systems
Festival favourites
The pairs festival-goers reach for most, from full shields to Y2K wraps.
STROBZChrome shield for raves$44.44Shop STROBZ
SYNTHSilver Y2K wrap$22.22Shop SYNTH
KANDILavender, green-blue mirror$22.22Shop KANDI
AKIRARed-gold fire for NYE$44.44Shop AKIRA
Festival outfit FAQs
What should I wear to a music festival in Australia?
Dress for heat and a long day on your feet: breathable fabrics, comfortable shoes, a hat and UV400 sunglasses. Then add one statement piece that suits the festival's crowd.
What are the biggest festivals near Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane?
Some of the biggest include Knockout Outdoor, Field Day, Lost Paradise and Laneway around Sydney; Beyond The Valley, Meredith, Golden Plains and Pitch around Melbourne; and Wildlands and Spilt Milk around Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
What sunglasses are best for festivals?
Wraparound or shield sunglasses with UV400 lenses. They stay on while you dance, block glare from the side and protect your eyes during long days in the sun.
Beamin is an independent Australian sunglasses label and isn't affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any of the festivals mentioned in this guide. Festival names are used only to describe the events. Dates were correct when we published this guide. Always check each festival's official website before you go.