7 of the best boutique festivals coming up this summer

Just FYI.

Festival season is upon us. 

Lineups are dropping almost as quickly as we’re thinking of excuses to call in sick, while we’re over here frantically borrowing tents and hoarding baby wipes in preparation.

As usual, the festival big dogs have announced acts that have us pledging our firstborns in order to get tickets. Alternatively, a new era of summer festivals has cropped up that has us *really* excited. 

Paradise Music Festival

When: November 25 – 27
Where: Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, Victoria
On the cusp of summer, Paradise offers a laid-back vibe with the next-level backdrop of Lake Mountain Alpine Resort (there’s seriously nothing like it). With an all-Australian lineup of talented artists, plenty of space to set up camp and a chilled-out BYO sitch, you can sit back and vibe all day long.
paradisemusic.com.au

Tell No Tales

When: December 3 and 4
Where: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne and Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney 
The first ever Tell No Tales promises one of the largest “forward-thinking” techno lineups to grace a festival format. Bringing together producers and DJs from around the globe, TNT is a festival tech lovers will want to mark in their calendars.
events.ticketbooth.com.au

Off the Grid

When: December 21 
Where: ACCA Forecourt, Melbourne
With a killer lineup (NO ZU, Andras, Tako) and a perfectly-matched combo of food and art in the centre of Melbourne, Off the Grid ticks all the boxes. The entire festival is solar-powered (so, literally, off the grid) making this day a goodie for satisfying your inner greenie.
offthegrid.global

Lost Paradise

When: December 29 – 31
Where: Glenworth Valley, Sydney
Get down and dirty with the yogis at Lost Paradise. Music, arts, yoga, food and camping are delivered alongside performances by acrobats, troubadours, belly dancers and drummers. The festival promises all night discos and restorative massages (can you think of a better hangover cure?), which basically sounds like an ideal weekend away.
lostparadise.com.au

Sugar Mountain

When: January 21
Where: Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne
An interactive, convivial space featuring music, visual art and new media. Fittingly described at the ‘summit of music and art’, Sugar Mountain is a contemporary display of creativity in the heart of Melbourne. Some acts are just for the day, while others will be sticking around for a little longer (best not to risk missing out, though).
sugarmountainfestival.com

Party In The Paddock

When: February 10 – 12
Where: Burns Creek, Tasmania
Party in the Paddock brings some of Australia’s best up-and-comers to Tasmania, in support of mental health. With a notoriously relaxed vibe and Hermitude already on the yet-to-be-released bill, you can bet the fifth instalment of this camper is going to go off.
partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au

A Festival Called PANAMA

When: March 10 – 12
Where: Lone Star Valley, North East Tasmania
Situated on a 50-acre property with a small batch cider brewery, things don’t get much more boutique than this. PANAMA features pop-up markets, local food stalls and bars. History tells us this year’s festival will span critically acclaimed acts, late night cabaret, DJs and spoken word performances. If you want to stay in the loop about the lineup and ticket details, you’ll need to sign up to the mailing list.
panamafestival.com.au