Thredbo Blues Festival
Founded in 1993 as the Thredbo Blues and Country Music Festival, this alpine gathering has grown into one of Australia’s longest-running music festivals, drawing a loyal following of blues fans back to the mountains year after year.
Held annually each January, the festival fills Thredbo’s compact alpine village with more than a dozen intimate venues over a long weekend, as snow-capped peaks, riverside cafes, and lively bars set the backdrop for three days of live blues.
Festival Highlights:
- Small, Intimate Venues: Rather than one big stage, the festival spreads across pubs, cafes, and function rooms scattered through the village, putting audiences up close with the performers.
- Australia’s Best Blues Acts: The lineup showcases some of the country’s leading blues and roots musicians, many of whom return year after year for the festival’s famously friendly, community feel.
- Free Chairlift and Gondola Access: Festival-goers can ride Thredbo’s chairlifts and gondola for free, taking in mountain views and exploring flow-trail mountain biking between sets.
- Sunday Jam Sessions: The festival traditionally winds down with open jam sessions that bring musicians together on stage for an energetic, unscripted finale.
Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:
- Tickets: Festival passes and individual venue tickets go on sale ahead of time via the official website, with many of the most popular venues filling up quickly.
- Best Way to Experience It: Because venues are dotted throughout the village, plan a loose itinerary rather than committing to one spot all weekend — wandering between venues is part of the fun.
- Getting There: Thredbo sits in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, reached by road via Jindabyne or Cooma, with the nearest airports at Canberra and Sydney.
- What to Wear: Even in summer, mountain evenings can turn cool, so layers, a light jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for moving between venues are recommended.
- Accommodation: Lodges and hotels in Thredbo itself book out well ahead of the festival, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
- Explore the Snowy Mountains: Beyond the festival, the region offers hiking, mountain biking, and alpine scenery worth extending a trip for — browse top Thredbo tours and activities here.
The full lineup and venue schedule are published closer to the event. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.
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