Your Tamworth Country Music Festival Cheat Sheet: 10 Must-Do’s For A Seriously Good Time

Fact: Country music is having a moment, and where better to listen to the best in the biz than at Tamworth’s 2026 Country Musical Festival (TCMF). Officially racking up its 54th year, this shindig to end all shindigs is the largest and longest live country music festival not only in Aus, but across the entire Southern Hemisphere. If that’s not reason enough to immediately add it to your regional road trip list, here are 10 more.

Discover Up-And-Coming Talent On The Boulevard Of Dreams

Sounds dreamy, right? That’s because the Boulevard of Dreams (aka Peel Street, aka Tamworth’s main drag) is where you’ll find some next-level buskers singing, strumming, swaying their hearts out to make their country music dreams come true. Carry some coins to throw their way and get kitted out at one of the local market stall holders while you’re strolling past. We’re talking double denim, suede waistcoats and a 10-gallon hat (bonus points for diamantes and tassels).

Witness Country Music Royalty At TRECC

Short for ‘Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre’, TRECC is where you’ll find country music artists with serious cred—including Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Williamson and even The Wiggles. Dig your country with a side of classical? Check out the Orchestral Country performance, a one-night-only show featuring some of Australia’s most loved country artists performing alongside a 38-piece orchestra.

Test Your Country Music Knowledge With RocKwiz

So you’ve got a few pub quiz night wins under your belt—kudos to you. Now’s your chance to up the ante because RocKwiz, the live music trivia quiz show that usually focuses on rock music, is going full country. Hosted by Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis, RocKwiz Salutes Country will be staged live at TRECC. Get your ticket and call it ‘research’ for your local’s next quiz night… your team will thank you when those country music questions roll round.

Get Up Close And Personal In The Listening Room

This right here is a new addition to the TCMF scene, so listen up folks (both now and when you arrive). Inspired by the iconic listening rooms of Nashville, The Listening Room is dedicated to showcasing some of Australia’s finest emerging and established country artists in an intimate, up-close setting at the Tamworth Community Event Centre. The event delivers raw, acoustic performances, personal storytelling and magical moments aplenty from the likes of Vincent & Vincent, The Brendans, Felicity Dowd and more.

Order A Steak At The Longyard Hotel

When in the country, eat steak. And for the juiciest steaks around, go directly to The Longyard Hotel. These guys will be serving up Eye Fillets, T-bones, Scotch Fillets and Rumps all day long. Steak not your vibe? They also dish up some seriously good schnitties, salads and burgers to boot. But no matter what you order, this is the place to kick back and wet your whistle while listening to The Wet Whistles and other country music heroes like Max Jackson and The Wolfe Brothers.

Dance Your Heart Out At The Toyota FanZone And Toyota Park

Welcome to free country music performances, all day, every day of the TCMF. Jam-packed with some exceptional yeehaw talent, the Toyota FanZone can be found on the corner Peel and Fitzroy Streets—perfectly positioned to get your dancing hit while strolling between other gigs. Next, head to Bicentennial Park (better known as ‘Toyota Park’ during the festival), where you’ll be seriously spoiled for choice on the free concert front nightly from 7pm. BYO picnic rug, grab a cold one and settle in as guitars twang across the park.

Buckle Up For The National Finals Rodeo

Would it even be a country music festival without a rodeo? Head to Tamworth’s world-class Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) to witness Australia’s number one National Finals Rodeo. The arena attracts more than 3000 competitors and up to 10,000 spectators—this is where core country memories are made. Lock it in.

Get Your Honky Tonk On At Moonshiners

Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar is party central during TCMF, so bring your boots and your buddies and settle in for the good times ahead. The 2026 line-up welcomes a whole range of country legends to the stage, including current Toyota Star Maker Winner* Felicity Kircher and previous Star Maker Rachael Fahim, alongside Jake Davey, Missy Lancaster and The Pigs Family Show (that one’s clearly a must). We’ve also had word that Farmer Wants a Wife star Jarred Wrigley will be sharing his mad country music skills—be there!

*Toyota Star Maker is Australia’s most prestigious and longest-running country music talent search—established in 1979 to launch the careers of emerging Australian country artists. In short, these guys are very good at what they do.

Drink Cocktails At Tamworth’s Underground Bar

You don’t have to tell us twice. Welcome to The Press Basement Bar, Tamworth’s unique underground whiskey and cocktail lounge. These guys will deliver all the crowd favourites while a mob of Golden Guitar greats perform their hero hits. Order your tipple of choice and lap up tunes from Denvah, Loren Ryan, The Buckleys, Bob Corbett, Gina Jeffreys, Rob McCormack and more. Feeling peckish? The venue also serves incredible burgers and fried chicken… you’re welcome.

Get Your Fancy On At The Golden Guitar Awards

Here it is folks, the moment you’ve been waiting for. The nation’s longest running music awards celebrate recording excellence while showcasing the cream of the country music crop. The night blends trophies and speeches with non-stop entertainment, and will undoubtedly tick a coveted bucket list item for the diehard country music fans among us. Keen to get in on the action early? Head to the red carpet event. Hosted before the awards kick-off, this is your chance to check out what your fave artists are wearing.

 

To discover hundreds of shows (both free and ticketed) and venue line-ups at the Toyota 54th Golden Guitar Awards, head to: tcmf.com.au/whatson

 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Tamworth Regional Council and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.