Brunswick Music Festival 2026, Featuring the Sydney Road Street Party

Overview

Melbourne's music scene spreads far and wide, but at least for those north of the river, Brunswick is the epicentre of all things loud and lyrical. Returning for its 38th edition, the festival — and the neighbourhood — looks more than a little different than when this musical showcase began. Nowadays, historic venues like The Retreat, Hotel Railway, and the Brunswick Mechanics Institute dovetail with relative newcomers like Waxflower and Joey Smalls, offering options for music-obsessed fans of all stripes.

But from Sunday, March 1–Sunday, March 8, the community new and old comes together for the year's biggest celebration of local tunes. Kicking off with the Sydney Road Street Party, this tone-setting experience transforms the suburb's main drag with four stages. Running from 12–6pm, expect South African jazz, Turkish classical and youth Pasifika harmonies, alongside roving performances, pop-up acoustic sets and show-stopping snacks every step of the way.

All told, over 100 artists will take to stages both on the street and within local venues, with just a couple of highlights to check out including Quality Used Cars, The Meanies and Public House. Between sets, you'll find 160 vendors showcasing Brunswick's most diverse flavours, as well as an eclectic mix of fashion, homewares and accessories stalls. Seeking a little quiet? Counihan Gallery and the Mechanics Institute are hosting family-friendly performances and cultural storytelling.

Yet the Sydney Road Street Party is just the beginning for the Brunswick Music Festival. Over the next seven days, a MzRizk-curated program will span incredible sights and sounds. Paying respect to the suburb's contribution to local live music, catch folk tradition and electronic experimentation at Brunswick Ballroom, the worldly disco selections of François K and a close-out Sunday session beneath the trees at Gilpin Park, with loads more to groove to.

Images: Simon Fazio.