The Gum Ball Music & Arts Festival 2024

We’re pretty fortunate in the Hunter Valley to have some great events, but one of the most treasured has to be The Gum Ball.

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Now celebrating its 19th chapter, the weekend-long cultural escape has built an enviable reputation across Australia (and the world) for its grassroots evolution into a supreme boutique family-friendly offering tucked away at Dashville, the 100-acre bushland venue and campground at Lower Belford.

Held over the last weekend of the April school holidays and running Thursday 25 April to Sunday 28 April 2024, even after so many years, it’s hard to believe that the festival is still considered somewhat a hidden gem in its local area, yet boasts an enviable reputation as one of the best laid-back festivals in existence across the world.

In 2024, the festival reminds us again as to why, with a well-considered and diverse lineup full of discovery and intrigue. Featuring 36 artists, from across Australia and overseas, a mix of both emerging and well-established artists who are destined to impress as they all play one by one on the intimate bushland amphitheatre.

The natural bushland space of Dashville makes for an incredible home away from home, and The Gum Ball is their flagship event of the year. It’s a comfortable and inclusive festival experience, connecting music lovers from all walks and ages of life. One big central stage presents a three-day musical journey as artists perform one by one amongst the big tall gum trees that wrap across the idyllic arena space.

Expect an incredible journey of live music alongside live art, comedy, pro skateboarding, markets, workshops, camping and more.

While it is typically a camping festival, there is also an option for single-day tickets and accessible public transport. Organisers encourage those requiring special assistance to reach out to the venue if they’d like a site inspection before the event, as the venue endeavours to be an accessible venue for the public.

Parents listen up as the festival also has a pretty impressive Youth Mentorship opportunity for budding young teenagers interested in music! It’s known as The Young Gums Youth Mentorship, and applications are now open until 20 March.

The immersive project selects ten teenagers who take a five-day journey alongside music professionals in order to perform on the main stage on the final day of the festival. For more info on The Gum Ball, go to www.thegumball.com.au.