By Orbit News Hub Team | January 15, 2026
The wait is finally over. With the sun rising over the New England area, the Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) 2026 is ready to open its gates tomorrow, January 16th. For the next ten days, the country music capital of Australia will turn into a colorful world of denim, dust, and dazzling performances.
Whether you are in town for the buskers on Peel Street or the sold-out shows at the TRECC, the 2026 event is set to be the biggest one yet. With international acts lined up alongside Aussie icons, here is everything you need to know about the lineup and events you won’t want to miss.
The 2026 Lineup: A Combination of Legends and Emerging Stars
The lineup this year is a huge celebration of Australian storytelling. The organizers have not held back, bringing back the big guns of the industry while also highlighting the next crop of talent.
Headline Acts You Cannot Miss
If you have tickets for the main stages, you are in for a treat. The 2026 headliners are:
- Troy Cassar-Daley: Hot off the heels of his latest album success, Troy is back on stage where it all started for him.
- Kasey Chambers: Leading the charge with an impressive 13 Golden Guitar nominations this year, her show at the Capitol Theatre is likely to be one of the highlights of the festival.
- Lee Kernaghan: The “Boy from the Bush” is back to rock the TRECC with his high-energy anthems.
- The Wolfe Brothers: Known for their high-energy performances, they are touring with their successful album Australian Made.
- Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence: Two of the festival’s most regular crowd favorites are lined up to deliver performances that will be remembered for a lifetime.
International Flavour
It’s not just locals this year either. The 2026 festival will welcome back international artists, with US country artist Randy Houser bringing his powerful voice to Tamworth, as well as other US artists Dan Smalley and Craig Wayne Boyd.
The 54th Golden Guitar Awards: Who Will Win?
The Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, a prestigious event, will be held on the final Saturday, and the competition is tougher than ever.
This year, the spotlight is on the Female Artist of the Year award, a battle royale between legends and contemporary superstars:
- Kasey Chambers (Back
- Kaylee Bell (Cowboy Up)
- Max Jackson (Little More Country)
- Sara Storer (Worth Your Love)
For Male Artist of the Year, the fight is between Brad Cox, James Johnston, and Andrew Swift. The awards night is the night of nights for the industry, and tickets are already selling out.
MUST-SEE TRIBUTE SHOWS AND FREE EVENTS
One of the special attractions of Tamworth is the amazing tribute shows that pay homage to music legends.
- “Remember The Days of Cat Stevens”: Darren Coggan is back with his award-winning tribute.
- Kenny Rogers & Friends: A nostalgic look at the gambler’s biggest hits.
- Concerts at Toyota Park: Free concerts are held every evening at 7:00 PM at Toyota Park. Look out for “Americana in the Park” and “Stars of the Future.”
Essential Tips for Festival Attendees
To ensure that you make the most out of your 2026 Tamworth experience, here are some tips that you should keep in mind:
- Beat the Heat: January in Tamworth is hot. Bring sunscreen, hats, and lots of water.
- Use the Festival App: Schedules are subject to change. Download the official TCMF app to keep track of busker and stage schedules.
- Support the Buskers: Walk down Peel Street. “Today’s busker is tomorrow’s Keith Urban.”
- Transport: Take the Festival Express bus to jump between venues such as Wests, The Pub, and Town Hall.
Conclusion
The Tamworth Country Music Festival 2026 is looking like it will be a historic event. With the emotional lyrics of Kasey Chambers to the party vibe of The Wolfe Brothers, there is something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When does the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2026 begin? The festival officially begins on Friday, January 16, 2026, and continues for 10 days until Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Q2: Who are the major nominees for the 2026 Golden Guitar Awards? Kasey Chambers is the leading nominee with 13 nominations. Other major nominees include The Wolfe Brothers, Kaylee Bell, and Brad Cox.
Q3: Are there free activities at the festival? Yes! There are free concerts at Toyota Park every evening. Also, there are hundreds of buskers performing on Peel Street every day, which is free.
Q4: Are there still tickets available for the main events? Although some of the larger events at the TRECC (such as Lee Kernaghan) are close to selling out, there are still tickets available for some of the pub performances.
Q5: Where is the best place to stay in Tamworth during the festival? The best places to stay are booked a year in advance. However, many people stay in “Tent City” or caravan parks, which provide a fantastic community spirit.
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