Rainbow Spirit Festival 2027

Rainbow Spirit Festival

Founded in 1998 as Rainbow Serpent Festival, this gathering has been a cornerstone of Australia’s independent electronic music and arts scene for over two decades. In 2023 the festival retired its original name out of respect for concerns raised about cultural appropriation, relaunching as Rainbow Spirit Festival while keeping the same community and creative spirit at its core.

At its heart, the festival is a rural, off-grid camping experience on regional Victorian farmland, where thousands of attendees set up camp for several days of music, art and connection. The program is built around three pillars — Music, Art (branded “Evolve”) and Community (known as “The Village”) — bringing together electronic music, large-scale installations, workshops and wellness spaces.

Festival Highlights:

• Electronic Music Line-Up: A curated program spanning psychedelic trance, techno and beyond, performed across multiple stages through the day and night.
• Immersive Art & Installations: Large-scale sculptures, visual art and interactive installations transform the festival grounds into an ever-changing creative landscape.
• The Village: A dedicated community and wellness precinct with healing spaces, workshops and areas designed for connection away from the main stages.
• Market Stalls & Multicultural Food: Rows of market stalls and food vendors offer everything from festival gear to cuisine from around the world.

Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:

• Tickets: The festival regularly sells out well ahead of time, and resale is only valid through the official authorised platform — tickets from other sources may be rejected at the gate, so buy early and keep your ID matching your ticket.
• Camping: Camping is included with your ticket but spaces can’t be reserved in advance, so arrive early or convoy with friends to camp together; oversized structures like geodomes generally need prior approval.
• Getting There: Shuttle buses typically run from Melbourne’s CBD for those without a car, while drivers need a valid vehicle pass — note that pass-outs and re-entry are usually not permitted, so plan to stay on-site for the full event.
• What to Bring: Regional Victorian weather can swing from hot sun to cold nights and rain within the same weekend, so pack a warm layer, wet-weather gear, sturdy closed shoes and sun protection.
• Accommodation: On-site camping is the main option, but nearby regional towns offer hotel alternatives, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended if you’d rather not camp.
• Explore the Region: Extend your trip with the gold rush history and attractions of nearby Ballarat — browse top Ballarat tours and activities here.

The full line-up, gate times and travel details are published each year on the festival’s official website. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.