Great Southern Nights brought more world-class live music to regional communities across NSW. A touchstone of Australia’s festival culture, Groovin The Moo returned in 2026 for a special one-off show on Saturday 9 May in Lismore, delivering an unforgettable day of music in the heart of the Northern Rivers.
Bringing together artists and audiences for a celebration of live performance, the event showcased the energy, connection and community spirit that make regional music experiences so memorable.
First established in 2005, Groovin The Moo was built on a simple but enduring idea: bring major contemporary music line-ups to regional centres and place those communities at the heart of the experience. Over two decades, the festival became deeply embedded in Australia’s cultural landscape, shaping formative live music moments for generations of fans across the country.
The 2026 Lismore event marked a deliberate and considered return for the festival, presented as a special single-show format and representing the first step in a long-term sustainable model for one of Australia’s most loved regional touring festivals. Starting with a single stage and single-day event allowed the festival to rebuild with care while staying true to its regional foundations.
Lismore was selected as the host city for its enduring creative identity and cultural significance in the heart of the Northern Rivers, as well as in recognition of the challenges the region has faced in recent years. The event was designed not only to deliver a major live music moment, but also to contribute meaningfully to the local economy and community.
As part of this commitment, Groovin The Moo partnered with Our Kids as Official Charity Partner, with $2 from every ticket sold donated to support the organisation’s work.
Groovin The Moo Lismore took place at Oakes Oval, Widjabul/Wia-bal Country, from 11am to 10pm as an all-ages event. The artist line-up and ticket on-sale details were announced in the lead-up to the event.