In March 2027, Australia’s most beloved folk festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of music, community and shared memories in Port Fairy, on the coast of South West Victoria.
From its humble beginnings in 1977, Port Fairy Folk Festival has grown into one of the world’s most respected celebrations of folk music, drawing artists and audiences from across the globe while remaining firmly anchored in the values that have defined it from the beginning: community, connection and love of music.
For the not-for-profit festival, led by a volunteer committee from the community and a small army of passionate volunteers, the excitement and pride to bring the Festival to such a historic milestone is palpable. Today, many of the children who once danced barefoot in their faded denims to music performed on the back of a truck are returning with children and grandchildren of their own. The Festival has become a truly multi-generation annual event with families, friends and music lovers heading to the seaside village of Port Fairy year after year, decade after decade.
The appetite for the Folkie’s 50th anniversary event has already proven extraordinary with a record-breaking number of tickets sold within the first week of release, highlighting the deep affection communities hold for the Festival and the significance of this milestone celebration.
Port Fairy Folk Festival Program Director Justin Rudge said the 50th anniversary represented an opportunity to celebrate the people who have shaped the Festival across five remarkable decades.
“Together with the volunteer committee and team, it’s such an honour to be the custodians of an event so beloved to so many. This first artist lineup is the Folkie at its best – Artists of the Year, international stars and the cream of local artists. Some coming back for their tenth visit, others on their first voyage to Port Fairy and Australia. And it’s just the beginning – we have so much more in store for our amazing audience. It’s a wonderful chance to reflect on the past and nurture the Port Fairy experience for generations to come. This year will truly have something for everyone,” said Justin.
Leading the first artist announcement for the 50th anniversary event is an acclaimed international and Australian line up that reflects the spirit, diversity and musical excellence audiences have come to expect from Port Fairy.
Starting the line up roll out for Port Fairy Folk Festival’s golden year are…
Alosa (ESP/CAT)
The Burning Hell (CAN)
Daoirí Farrell (IRE)
Dlù (SCO)
Eleanor McEvoy (IRE)
Grace Petrie (ENG)
John Butler and band
Joshua Burnside (IRE)
Kate Rusby (ENG)
Kutcha Edwards
Mia Dyson
Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission
The Milk Carton Kids (USA)
The Settlement
Skerryvore (SCO)
Tim Easton (USA)
We Mavericks
This first artist announcement marks just the beginning of artists for 2027 and the start of celebrations of the Festival’s rich history with more artists, more special anniversary events, more family programs and opportunities to revisit iconic moments from the Festival’s archives to be revealed in the months ahead.
The 50th Port Fairy Folk Festival takes place in Port Fairy, Victoria over the Labour Day long weekend, 5-8 March 2027. General Tickets are now on sale. For tickets, accommodation options and further information visit portfairyfolkfestival.com