Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival organisers have cancelled the event for 2026, but are hopeful of returning. Photo: Jon Harris Photography.
A Kiama music festival which has been celebrating culture and arts in the region for almost four decades has decided to pull the pin on its event for next year, making it the third festival in the seaside town to be cancelled in a matter of months.
Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival (KJBF) organisers announced they would hit pause on the event for 2026 due to financial constraints and red tape, with the difficult decision made after “exploring every possible option” to make it happen.
The event has been a staple in Kiama for 38 years, but festival director Beck Guggisberg said the combination of reduced financial support, financial risk of a ticketed model, capacity restrictions at a key central venue, ongoing delays in Kiama Council development approvals and the long lead time before the Special Entertainment Precinct comes into effect, made it impossible to deliver the event in 2026 to the required standard.
“This is not a decision we have made lightly,” Beck said.
“Despite exhausting all available avenues, the festival is unable to move forward with confidence under the current constraints.”
It was due to be held over three days early next March across three locations, but there remained a lot of uncertainty around the future of the beloved and key venue Fillmore’s, which is in limbo after submitting a DA to Kiama Council to become a permanent performance space in May this year.
“In recent years, the support and partnership with the performance space at Fillmore’s has enabled the festival to become financially viable while providing a central festival hub,” Beck said.
“This hub has offered significant cultural and financial value, markedly strengthening the festival’s overall viability.
“As of today, Kiama Municipal Council has provided no time frame for determining this application — an outcome that would finally secure Fillmore’s future in our community.
“Both the festival and the owners of Fillmore’s have continued to apply pressure on council for a determination, knowing that KJBF 2026 heavily depends upon it. Last week, the only interim solution offered was the submission of a temporary use DA for the planning team to assess while the main DA remains undecided.”
It comes less than two months after the announcement that Kiama’s Folk By the Sea Festival would be discontinued due to a sharp drop in attendance blamed on Kiama Council not permitting camping at certain locations.
The Changing Tides Festival was also cancelled last October, just weeks before it was due to attract thousands to the region.
But despite these other festivals being gone for good, KJBF organisers are determined to return.
“While this pause is heartbreaking, it is also temporary,” Beck said.
“Our focus now turns to 2027 — the festival’s 40th anniversary – with the aim of returning stronger, more stable, and with the creative spark that Kiama knows and loves.
“We are committed to protecting the festival’s legacy and ensuring it thrives for decades to come.”
To find out more or stay updated about the KJBF, visit its website.
