Expressions of interest now open for local venues
With the recent announcement that the organisers of the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival have paused the 2026 festival, Kiama Council is continuing its long-standing support of the festival by supporting a community‑led live music weekend in March 2026. The initiative will help local venues and businesses keep live music thriving across the region during the traditional festival weekend.
Council will facilitate collaboration between participating venues and coordinate promotion for the weekend. Support may include a central gig guide, destination‑wide marketing, and exploring transport options between venues, along with limited assistance for smaller venues where possible. Programming and delivery will remain entirely in the hands of local businesses, ensuring the weekend reflects their audiences and creative direction.
Running from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 March 2026, the weekend will feature live performances across multiple venues, spanning jazz, blues, and a variety of other music styles. This approach preserves the spirit of the long‑running festival while giving venues the flexibility to curate their own line‑ups.
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is now open for local businesses and venues interested in hosting performances. The EOI will help Council and the community understand who is participating, preferred performance times, and programming opportunities, informing a draft weekend schedule and promotional activity.
Mayor Cameron McDonald said:
"Kiama's live music scene is an important part of our community and local economy. While the Jazz & Blues Festival organisers consolidate and plan for a 40th anniversary return in 2027, we want to ensure the weekend continues to bring vibrancy, culture and visitors to our towns and villages."
