Set in Tumbarumba’s picturesque creekscape, the weekend festival that is Tumbafest is so popular people keep coming back year after year. Photo: Tumbafest.
As summer draws to a close, the picturesque mountain town of Tumbarumba is preparing to welcome music lovers, food enthusiasts and festival-goers at Tumbafest 2025 this Saturday and Sunday.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Snowy Mountains, this much-loved and highly awarded event delivers a packed weekend of live music, local wine, delicious food and family-friendly entertainment along the shady scenic parkland area that is Tumbarumba Creekscape.
It’s the sort of festival where you can just chill for the day, whether you choose to relax in a camp chair alongside the creek, wander around for a good look at everything, sip the wine, taste the food or dance around.
Which is why people keep coming back.
Managed by a volunteer committee, the festival has been running since 1997 and typically attracts around 3000 attendees topped only by significant state and national recognition, including gold, silver and bronze tourism awards.
Organisers say these accolades not only reflect the dedication of the volunteer team and the support of the Tumbarumba community, but highlight the festival’s importance in showcasing the Snowy Valleys region to a wider audience.
Built around music, this year’s festival features a dynamic mix of fresh faces and returning favourites, ensuring an unforgettable experience for attendees.
Saturday’s line-up kicks off with Jared Buckley, followed by the return of Deja Groove for the third time. Fans of Australian rock can look forward to performances from Midnight Alibi and Wild Tracks, while 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright is sure to captivate the crowd with his smooth vocals.
Topping off the night, festival headliners rock band Chocolate Starfish return to deliver another high-energy set, with their signature mix of rock classics and original hits.
On Sunday, the festival atmosphere continues with The Rustics and The Wildlings, followed by the all-female country trio Vixens of Fall.
Celebrated Australian singer-songwriter Andrew Swift will bring his heartfelt melodies to the stage, while Wade Forster, the 2024 Toyota Star Maker winner, rounds out the line-up.
While the music is the heart of Tumbafest, the festival is also a celebration of local flavours and community spirit.
Visitors can explore a variety of market stalls, showcasing regional produce, artisan crafts, and gourmet treats. In fact, with around 100 stalls booked for 2025, that amounts to around 1.4 kilometres of shopping, eating and browsing.
Also central to the celebrations of everything local, Tumbarumba’s popular cool-climate wines will be available for discovery and drinking in the Drinks Courtyard, and there’s still availability for the popular Meet the Maker sessions on Saturday.
There’ll be six sessions for attendees to get up close with the region’s best winemakers, brewers and cider makers, have a chat and taste their creations. Spots are limited and bookings are encouraged through the Tumbafest website.
The Tumbafest Duck Race on Sunday is a popular highlight of the festival, the fun and light-hearted competition drawing large crowds. Held in Tumbarumba Creek, the event sees dozens of rubber ducks released into the water, with attendees cheering them on as they float towards the finish line.
For families, Kids Corner will keep younger attendees entertained with face painting, dress-ups, puppet shows, and lawn games throughout the weekend. Carnival rides and amusements will also be available, ensuring fun for all ages.
Whether you’re a local or visiting from afar, Tumbafest 2025 promises to be a weekend full of music, food, and unforgettable memories.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the best of Tumbarumba this 22 and 23 Februrary—grab your tickets now at Tumbafest’s official website.
Gates open at 10 am both days.
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