Kangaroo Valley Reggae Fest

Country Pub Hosts International Reggae Lineup

Back for its third year on May 16th, 2026, the KV Reggae Fest, the “little” festival in the back paddock of The Friendly Inn in Kangaroo Valley NSW, has locked in its most ambitious lineup yet. Headlining is the massive dub-fusion collective SUB-TRIBE (New Zealand), bringing a raw, bass-heavy sound that has filled stages across Europe and Australasia. They are joined by the Afro-Caribbean rhythms of THE STRIDES and the legendary West African Malian guitarist MOUSSA DIAKITE & WASSADO, who brings the hypnotic sounds of the “Super Rail Band de Bamako” to the South Coast hinterland.

Forget the long lines for a drink or the traffic hassle of city festivals. The Friendly Inn in Kangaroo Valley, located just two hours from Sydney and Canberra, is proving that world-class music sounds better in fresh country air. The festival was born from a simple idea: bringing the global sounds of roots and reggae to the South Coast without the hype or headaches of a big event.

“We treat it like a big weekend pub session,” Festival manager Caroline Lenati says. “No VIP tents, no complicated wristbands. Just a proper country pub, a massive beer garden, and a sound system that does the bands justice.” If you want to sit at the back with the dog, you can. If you want to get sweaty down the front for Sub-Tribe, you can do that too.

Rounding out the bill are Wollongong favourites Ren & The Rudeboys & Beatmeisters, from Sydney all-female roots outfit The Lady Beans, and Canberra’s ska/jazz fusion lineup of This Way Orkestra. Gates are from 2pm and the valley will be rocking through until midnight with the beer garden full of Jamaican street eats, smoked BBQ, market stalls, drumming workshops, dance classes and kids’ activities.

With tickets priced at $55 for adults and $35 for teenagers, and kids under 12 free, KV Reggae Fest is aimed to be accessible for families to enjoy great music together. Pack the camp chairs and a picnic rug and get ready for a day of smooth funky beats and great eats on May 16th, 2026 at The Friendly Inn in Kangaroo Valley NSW. For more details and tickets visit kvreggaefest.com

EVENT DETAILS

What: KV Reggae Fest 2026
When: Saturday, 16th May 2026 | Gates Open 2pm
Where: The Friendly Inn, 159 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley
Lineup: Sub-Tribe (NZ), The Strides, Moussa Diakite & Wassado, Ren & The Rudeboys + Beatmeisters, The Lady Beans, This Way Orkestra.
Tickets: Adults $55 | Teenagers $35 | Kids under 12 Free – kvreggaefest.com