The Yours and Owls festival is returning to Flagstaff Hill for one day only, with a new format changing the look of the popular event. Photo: Yours and Owls.
An iconic music festival will spill out into Wollongong streets and take over the city when it returns this year, with Yours and Owls changing its popular format.
The dates for the next Yours and Owls Festival have been announced as the event takes on a bold new structure for 2026.
The formerly multi-day festival has taken on many iterations and locations since it was launched in 2014 and most recently settled into one of the region’s most recognisable spots – Flagstaff Hill.
Now organisers are mixing it up again by holding a single-day festival at the same stunning foreshore on Saturday 3 October, before spreading out into every nook and cranny across Wollongong venues on the Sunday.
“We are talking closed off streets, big and small venues, music filling the air in plain sight … waiting to be discovered around every corner as you wander through the laneways and streets, popping in and out, up and round at your leisure,” a festival spokesperson said.
Details on who will perform and where on the Sunday are yet to be revealed. However, organisers have confirmed an all-day or weekend pass will be required to attend one or all of the events.
The change comes amid uncertain times in the sector, with recent years seeing some of the country’s most popular events such as Bluesfest Byron Bay, Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo either cancelled or paused.
Local events have also found themselves on the chopping block including Kiama’s Changing Tides, Folk by the Sea and Jazz and Blues festivals.
“Having run this festival for a touch over 10 years (some would call that a lifetime and others just the blink of an eye), one thing we have become accustomed to is a changing landscape,” festival promoter Ben Tillman said.
“Whether it be bushfires, floods, a global pandemic, or the cost-of-living crisis, we have always found a way forward.
“At times this has meant being flexible and adapting to new conditions – a format change, moving sites or rethinking our approach entirely.”
It’s hoped the new format improves the affordability of the event so that more people can still get involved despite cost-of-living pressures.
But even though some elements may look a little different, Ben said the purpose and culture of the festival is unwavering.
“The one thing that has always remained, and stays with us still, is our commitment to deliver the best festival, grounded in what we believe a festival should be,” Ben said.
“A place to connect to music and community, a place to lose yourself, discover something new and have an adventure.
“In a world that feels increasingly heavy and chaotic, we want to offer a place to unwind and have a good time.”
Tickets are on sale now, with both weekender and single day options available.
The line-up is expected to be unveiled in coming weeks.
“We want to offer an unforgettable experience whilst making sure we’re viable and able to come back and grow year on year,” Ben said.
“And we feel that this 2026 festival model will allow us to achieve that.”
For more information or to buy tickets visit the Yours and Owls Festival website.
