The Big Pineapple Festival

Overview

Childhood snaps aplenty are filled with Australia's big things, including pictures with The Big Pineapple as a backdrop if you've ever visited the Sunshine Coast. As an adult, there's another way to make memories at the famous Woombye site: hitting up The Big Pineapple Festival, which is finally returning in 2024 after a three-year absence with a jam-packed lineup.

The Amity Affliction, Bliss n Eso and Peking Duk lead the bill, taking to the stage while you dance in the shadow of a giant piece of tropical fruit, alongside Tones and I, Golden Features, Vera Blue, Thornhill and Dune Rats doing a DJ set. There's a heap more acts where they came from, too, on what's set to be a massive spring day in the Sunshine State.

2024's event will also add a World Eats and Beats precinct, which is where you can grab a bite and listen to global tunes; the Lantern Parade lighting up the site, aka pineapple fields; the Skate Jam, where top Aussie skaters will on their decks; and Burlesque L'amour doing a festival stint. Or, you can enter the Best Dressed at the Fest contest, with prizes for both solo and team attire — and likely a range of pineapple-inspired outfits getting a workout — or try your stuff at The Great Australian Pineapple Toss competition.

On the nation's list of big things, The Big Pineapple is among the most famous. It's big. It's a pineapple. It's heritage-listed Queensland icon. It's surrounded by those pineapple fields. It now has a new cafe and viewing platform. Basically, what's not to love? Since 2013, however, it's no longer merely a reason to go to Nambour to gawk at over-sized fruit — because that's when it also became home to a music festival, which ran annually until its current three-year break.As well as live music, the fest includes two days of camping. Accordingly, if you hadn't already, start looking forward to an event that'll take over its iconic location's natural amphitheatres, get folks pitching a tent at the 4000-person campground, and also span workshops and art installations in a relaxed setting, too.

Tom Barnes

The Big Pineapple Festival 2024 Lineup:

The Amity Affliction
Tones and I
Bliss n Eso
Golden Features
Peking Duk
Vera Blue
Thornhill
Dune Rats (DJ set)
The Dreggs
Drax Project
SLUMBERJACK
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Ocean Grove
Kinder
South Summit
No Money Enterprise
Day We Ran
Betty Taylor
Toby Hobart
Hellcat Speedracer
Raw Ordio
Ishan
Larynx
Karlou
Rhino
Tess Fapani
Earth Sign
Unearthed winner

Images: Charlie Hardie / Claudia Ciapocaa.