Great Southern Nights Gig Trails expand into new areas

Great Southern Nights has today announced four more outdoor program highlights to its already massive calendar.

Following on from the success of previous years, the Great Southern Nights Gig Trails will return to Newcastle, take over new areas of Sydney in Chippendale and Newtown/Enmore and pop up in Port Kembla for the first time. Each District will offer unique, walkable gig trail experiences for music and food loving patrons.

Patrons can wander from venue to venue, interacting with street performers, buskers and enjoying pop-up performers, providing an immersive festival-like experience.

Signature spots like rooftops and laneways will offer surprise performances and intimate acoustic sets. Small businesses will also offer interactive workshops, art exhibitions and creative opportunities.

Aligning its offerings with the start of the Great Southern Nights 2026 program, Midtown Newcastle will host its own multi-venue live music trail from 5pm on Friday 1 May until 2am Saturday 2 May.

Known for its rich cultural heritage and thriving arts scene, 11 venues will be hosting experiences including live music, a karaoke rickshaw interactive tour, a courtesy bus to help you get around and local food and drink specials at venues including Bernies Bar, Charlies Rooftop, Granddad's Bar, Jams, King Street Hotel, Mad Poet, Maru Hi-Fi, The Den, The Happy Womba, The Koutetsu and The Rogue Scholar.

The following weekend, the little laneways, hidden nooks and beloved bars of Chippendale will come to life on Saturday 9 May from 1pm - late. Discover pop-up performances, acoustic sets, roving entertainment and more at some of Chippo’s finest venues including Gin Lane, Knox Street Bar, Sneaky Possum, The Abercrombie Hotel, The Chippo Hotel, The Lansdowne Hotel, The Loft of Broadway, The Lord Gladstone Hotel and The Underground.

That same day, but a little further south, Port Kembla will host its very first Gig Trail from 12pm - late across nine unique venues, featuring record label pop-ups, art, street performances and more. The curated walk will see patrons wander and interact with creatives at Black Metal Motor Co., Nasa Gallery, Port Beirut, The Iron Yampi, The Pantha Way, The Servo, The Shave Cave, The Vault and The Wedding Chapel.

From 2pm-2am on Saturday 16 May, Sydney’s creative centre Newtown and Enmore will transform into a haven for music fans with unique activations in some of the District’s most iconic small businesses. Patrons can don their most comfortable walking shoes and saunter from venue to venue including Deadwax, Hive Bar, Hopsters, Palomino Lounge, Pleasure Club, Ravenspur, Rising Sun Workshop, The Duke of Enmore, Trocadero Room and Young Henrys.

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd said: “By activating more gig trails in live music pockets, we’re creating spaces where emerging artists share the stage with established acts and whole neighbourhoods come alive. Grab some friends and wander the streets following the sound of music spilling out of venues, stumbling across solo sets under streetlights and sharing the joy of live music with the artists bringing these precincts to life.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “I’m thrilled the Great Southern Nights Gig Trails are returning for another year, expanding to the streets of Chippendale, Newtown and Enmore, Port Kembla and Newcastle. These curated trails encourage visitors and locals to explore vibrant neighbourhoods, move between venues and experience multiple live performances in a single night out.

“We’ve set an ambitious target to grow the NSW visitor economy to $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure over the next decade. A key pillar in achieving that goal is building a nation-leading calendar of events that drive visitation across the state and offer visitors authentic immersive experiences. Great Southern Nights does that by not only showcasing our live music scene but also the unique culture of local communities across NSW.”

Minister for the Arts, Music and the Nighttime Economy John Graham said: “Great Southern Nights is part of the NSW Government’s push to support live music across the state, not only for the artists and fans but also the venues, technicians and businesses who rely on the creative and nighttime economy. The return of the Gig Trails in 2026 will bring even more vibrancy and energy to key entertainment precincts in Sydney and regional centres.

“Great Southern Nights is about firing up the live music scene in NSW – getting bands back on stage, filling venues and bringing communities together for a great night out through the shared experience of live music.”

The Servo General Manager James Spink said: “Port Kembla is currently in such an exciting phase with creativity and innovation booming, hosting a Great Southern Nights Gig Trail really solidifies that momentum and energy we feel, really presenting Port Kembla as the genuine cultural destination that it is to a much greater audience.”

24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Michael Rodrigues said: “The state’s 24-Hour Economy calls them “vibrant, co-ordinated precincts”, but I like to think about them as “pockets of fun”. Supported by our Office through our Uptown program, local businesses are coming together, getting organised, and working as a team to bring their local areas to life. This co-ordinated approach has delivered results in Greater Sydney with areas like Newtown/Enmore and Chippendale as examples. I am excited to see this approach take shape beyond the metropolitan area. Both Midtown in Newcastle and Port Kembla are stunning locations to co-host Great Southern Nights - by locals, for locals.”

Great Southern Nights is thrilled to be adding even more live music experiences to the program with 114 gigs in venues across Sydney, South Coast, Newcastle, Northern Rivers and Wollongong. These are a combination of free and ticketed shows and encompass everything from emerging to established artists with highlights including Touch Sensitive, Husky, Tropical F**k Storm, Maple Glider, Darren Hanlon, Letters To Lions, Bootleg Rascal, Radio Free Alice and so many more!

Great Southern Nights 2026 program

Great Southern Nights program continues to build year on year and 2026 is no exception. Taking over the state from 1-17 May, it brings a huge line up and new initiatives, like Live Fest in Dubbo and Tamworth, proudly presenting the return of Groovin the Moo in Lismore and the expansion of the Gig Trail offerings.

Great Southern Nights

Learn more here.