The Tumbafest Story
Set along the shady banks of the Tumbarumba Creekscape, Tumbafest is where the heart of the Snowy Valleys beats a little louder. As you wander through the festival, the air hums with live music spilling from the main stage, mixing with the happy squeals of children discovering new entertainment and the low buzz of friends laughing together under the summer sun.
Follow the scents of sizzling street food and fresh local produce, and you’ll find stalls brimming with flavours that tell the story of our region and beyond — from cool-climate wines and boutique brews to handmade treats that invite you to linger and savour. Around every corner there’s something new to discover: unique crafts, unexpected performances, and the warm country hospitality that makes Tumbarumba unforgettable.
More than just a music festival, Tumbafest is a weekend-long celebration of place and community. It’s where locals and visitors alike gather by the creek, raising a glass to summer, to connection, and to the spirit of coming together.
HISTORY
On a hot January afternoon in 1997, a small group of friends were enjoying a drop of the local product when one bemoaned about festivals springing up everywhere, complete with the showcase of local wines.
As the wine continued to flow, the idea of Tumbafest was born – to stage a festival in Tumbarumba which would celebrate the cool-climate wines and fruits, provide a variety of food sourced locally and through in some music for good measure.
OUR FIRST YEAR
The inaugural Tumbafest was held in the town’s main street – The Parade, with tables and chairs placed on the roadway and the back of a truck for a stage (a practice that is still used at many festivals and events today).
Publicity for the first event consisted of a Letter to the Editor sent to all newspapers within a 300-kilometre range. This, along with a terrific arrangement with Prime Televising was combined with the best advertising of all: word of mouth.
Food stalls were operated by local service and sporting clubs, while anonymous volunteers circulated the crowd, collecting money to hold the event again the following year.
Attendance was around 500 in the first year, and the street was restored to normality by 6pm. Whilst stacking chairs and dismantling tables, the exhausted committee members were clearly heard muttering “Never again!”.
Recent Times
The award-winning Tumbafest has since been moved to the Creekscape, where there is plenty of seating, shade and space to move. The event has become a staple on the Tumbarumba calendar, with planning now underway for the 2027 event – which will mark 30 years of Tumbafest!
Today, sponsorship is measured in the tens of thousands, there is an actual advertising and promotions budget, and the food and refreshment stalls are outsourced to cater for the crowds. Performers over the years have included some of Australia’s best and since 2005 there has been a paid Event Coordinator to assist the hard-working volunteer committee.