CMC Rocks QLD announces dates for 2026 festival
CMC ROCKS QLD ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 2026 FESTIVAL
AUSTRALIA’S HOTTEST COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO WILLOWBANK FROM FRIDAY 20TH – SUNDAY 22ND MARCH 2026
24 March 2025
IMAGES FROM CMC ROCKS QLD 2025 AVAILABLE HERE
WRAP VIDEOS AVAILABLE HERE
With the dust settling on a phenomenal weekend, CMC Rocks QLD is thrilled to announce the dates for the March 2026 festival.
Australia’s hottest country music festival returns to Willowbank Raceway from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd March 2026.
True to its legacy, in 2026 the festival will showcase an exceptional roster—from seasoned legends and rising stars to the very best in homegrown talent—delivering a weekend of unforgettable country music, community, and live entertainment in Queensland. Stay tuned for the full artist lineup announcement later this year.
Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg said, “Our 18th festival has been an incredible success, with beautiful summer days and an incredible line up. To see our loyal fans get really excited about the brand-new sports bar and moving the fan signing area to the heart of the precinct has seen amazing lines to meet the artists. Our wonderful team continue to amaze everyone and it blows me away to be part of the late Rob Potts dream as it continues to exceed everything we dreamed of. Looking forward to 2026”.
“We’re already deep in the planning for next year’s festival, and seeing all the joy and love from our CMC Rocks community these past few days has us itching to be back on-site next March. As always, we’ll be hard at work finding ways to make the next one ever bigger and better that the epic weekend we just shared together.” said Jeremy Dylan, Festival Director, Potts Entertainment.
Campers descended onto the festival from Wednesday morning, driving from all around Australia to soak up the atmosphere early and get their camp into tip-top shape. The Tailgate precinct buzzed with activity, featuring the freshly unveiled, decked-out Nifty’s Sports Bar, a new crowd favourite. Thursday’s inaugural Big Time Bootscooter Line Dancing Competition proved to be a standout moment as competitors and punters alike packed Big Time Charlie’s for a line dancing extravaganza.
The excitement was palpable as fans descended on Willowbank Raceway on Friday for the official opening of the festival—staking out prime spots at the Stampede and Rebel Stages, snapping up exclusive merch, and exploring a host of new goodies including cold scoops from Baskin Robbins, and a chance to win Toyota accessories in the Lucky Locker competition.
CMC Rocks QLD raised the bar over the weekend just gone, playing host to over 23,000 music lovers. Fans were treated to sets from some of the world’s finest international chart-toppers and local country stars – from headliners Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi and Thomas Rhett, to Zach Top, Ashlee Cook, Kezia Gill, Zac & George, Max Jackson and more.
The Songwriters Show remained a festival staple, featuring an intimate, in-the-round acoustic set under the Tailgate Stage big top tent. Friday saw Carter Faith, Thomas Rhett, Alana Springsteen, and Travis Collins showcased their incredible talent in the close-up setting.
At CMC there’s something for everyone and that includes the youngest CMC Rockers. Amber Lawrence got the littlest ones up and dancing for her Lil’ Buckaroo’s time, entertaining young and old with her family tunes, including her very addictive version of ‘Baby Shark’.
The Aussie’s set the CMC stage ablaze, with one lucky fan gifted a guitar by Travis Collins during his set.
As dusk fell, Kaylee Bell turned up the heat and turned on the confetti canons on the Rebel stage, captivating the crowd. Surprise guest James Johnston joined her for an unforgettable live rendition of their duet, ‘Same Songs.’
After visiting Australia for the first-ever Ridin’ Hearts Festival in 2023, Alana Springsteen returned to Australia for her debut CMC Rocks performance and wow did she leave a mark!
Thomas Rhett closed the first day in flawless fashion with a headline set packed with hit after hit—from crowd favourites like ‘Die A Happy Man’ and ‘Look What God Gave Her’ to a surprise duet with country punk rocker Dylan Marlowe on ‘Ain’t Nothing That A Beer Can’t Fix.’
Saturday was just as memorable with Ole 60 sending the crowd into a frenzy with the five-piece band making their Australian debut. Also making his Aussie debut, Oklahoma-born troubadour Wyatt Flores captivated the audience with an emotionally charged set marked by raw storytelling and sincere delivery. He further cemented his unfiltered authenticity during his Sunday Songwriter’s show, where he laid bare the deeply personal stories behind his music.
Koe Wetzel had the whole of CMC rocking with an energy charged set that saw him mix his signature mix of country, rock, hip-hop, and even Nineties grunge, giving fans a taste of what’s to come from his forthcoming album 9 Lives out later this year.
The party kicked on right through the evening with country music legend Jon Pardi firing up the Rebel stage with all the hits and plenty of pyro.
Imogen Clark made her return to CMC Rocks on Friday and Sunday, playing not only her own shows, but also jumping on with Sinead Burgess and Abbie Ferris for their sets throughout the weekend.
Bringing in his 18th birthday alongside the 18th year of the festival Lane Pittman said goodbye to his teenage years on the mainstage with his own rendition of ‘Teenage Dirtbag’.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the “hottest acts right now”, Zach Top was the name on everyone’s lips and for good reason. The traditional country music rocker and his old school influences had the audiences swooning.
Finishing off the festival with a bang, Cody Johnson belted out live renditions of his biggest hits, with crowd favourites ‘Til You Can’t’ and ‘The Painter’ sending the crowd into an all-festival site singalong. Cody continues the party with his side shows still to go in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland this week.
With that final day done and dusted, it’s safe to say CMC Rocks QLD fans are leaving on a high and already putting 2026 dates in their calendars.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell noted CMC Rocks QLD was a must-see festival for any country music fan.
“As the event sold out in 2025 so early, I urge fans to save the dates for 2026. With the biggest Aussie and international superstars taking to the two stages over three epic days and nights, it’s not one to miss. There’s no better place to be than Queensland, as tens of thousands of fans flock to Willowbank, Ipswich, to experience one of the best country music weekends in the world.”
Highlighting the festival’s impact on the local community, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding emphasized:
“CMC Rocks was another roaring success at Willowbank over the weekend and we are thrilled to announce this popular festival, which significantly benefits our local economy, will be returning in 2026. More than 23,000 country crooners attended the festival, which delivered more than $14 million to Queensland businesses and tourism operators in 2024. Council is proud of its long-running association with this event and the role it is playing in cementing Ipswich as an events destination. We look forward to welcoming the world’s biggest country stars back to our city in 2026.”
The Queensland Government is proud to support CMC Rocks QLD through Tourism and Events Queensland.
IMAGES FROM CMC ROCKS QLD 2025 AVAILABLE HERE
WRAP VIDEOS AVAILABLE HERE
Stay tuned for the full CMC Rocks QLD 2026 Artist Lineup – Coming later this year.
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