Wingham Music Festival Returns as Flood Recovery Celebration
- intouch Magazine
- Oct 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 8
The Wingham Music Festival is set to make a powerful comeback this November, transforming into a beacon of hope for communities still recovering from the devastating May floods that swept through the Manning River catchment.
Running from 21 to 23 November at Wingham Showground, this year's festival has been reimagined as a "Flood Recovery Celebration of Music, Community & Connection," bringing together acclaimed artists including Backsliders, The Badloves, Bill Chambers, Hat Fitz and Cara, Round Mountain Girls, and Blues Arcadia.
The May floods were catastrophic for the region, with over 700mm of rainfall in less than a week, causing the Manning River to surge to record levels. More than 50,000 residents were forced to evacuate, with over 10,000 homes damaged and critical infrastructure destroyed, including Wingham's main water pipeline. Emergency services conducted 280 rescues with assistance from the Australian Defence Force.
In response to this community crisis, festival organisers secured government support to offer free three-day passes to residents in seven flood-affected postcodes. These tickets were quickly claimed by grateful locals eager for some much-needed celebration.
"We knew this year we needed something really special for the community," explains Festival Coordinator Donna Ballard.
"Being able to offer free tickets for those impacted by the flood is a great step in moving forward."
The artist lineup demonstrates remarkable solidarity with the community. Blues Arcadia extended their final 2025 tour to include Wingham, while Backsliders reserved November 23 specifically for the festival. As Dom Turner from Backsliders expressed, "Wingham truly feels like family."
Three-day passes are now available for purchase by visitors outside the affected areas, with proceeds supporting local recovery efforts. Any surplus funds will be donated to local business chambers, Rotary, and Lions Clubs to help rebuild lives and livelihoods across the Mid North Coast. Single-day tickets will be released after the October long weekend, with a second round of artist announcements expected in early November.
The festival represents more than entertainment—it's a statement of resilience and community spirit, welcoming music lovers from across Australia to show solidarity with flood-affected communities while enjoying three days of exceptional live music.
Visit winghammusicfest.com.au to purchase tickets.
