Punters dismayed as popular music festival cancelled
The 2026 edition of a major Adelaide music festival has been canned, but organisers have not ruled out future editions.
Music festival Harvest Rock is taking a year off in 2026, saying “good things take time” in a social media post.
In a short statement, the festival – backed by the South Australian government and put on by live music company Secret Sounds – said it was “taking a fallow year in 2026”.
“We know this will be disappointing news to many of you, but good things take time, and we’re already working on future plans,” the festival said in a statement.
“We appreciate the ongoing support of the South Australian Government in making the event a huge success to date, and we look forward to partying with you soon.”
The two-day festival was generally held in October, but no dates for 2026 had been announced.
Despite heavy rain derailing parts of the festival’s first day of two in 2025, the event was a major success and saw heavyweight international artists like The Strokes, Jelly Roll and Royel Otis take to the festival’s stages in Adelaide’s eastern park lands.
It is the second time Harvest Rock has gone on hiatus. While organisers did not give a reason at the time, the festival was paused in 2024.
While data for 2025’s edition were not provided, the state government said the first two festivals contributed a combined $34.5 million to the SA economy.
Punters expressed their disappointment in the comments on Harvest Rock’s announcement this afternoon, one saying it was “crushing news”, another saying it was “the only thing I was looking forward to this year”.
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A state government spokesperson said, “Harvest Rock has become a unique and highly valued part of South Australia’s major events calendar, attracting visitors from across the country and delivering significant benefits for local businesses, the hospitality sector and our visitor economy”.
“Like many festivals around the world, the event organisers are taking a fallow year to ensure that the festival always delivers at the highest level. When the global climate is challenged, less talent reaches around the world, sadly this meant that 2026 was not the right year for Harvest Rock,” she said.
“The State Government remains in ongoing discussions with the event’s organisers regarding future events.”
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