2022 Mackay festival line-up: Country rock, jazz or fantasy

Are you still in the mood for a boogie after Be Social festival, or keen on a fun day out for the family? Check out our list of events coming to Mackay and find something for you and yours.

As the music industry heals from pandemic loss, Mackay is making a bigger mark on the map than ever.

Are you still in the mood for a boogie after Be Social festival, or keen on a fun day out for the family?

Check out our list of events coming to Mackay and find something for you and yours.

From jazz to rock, dinosaurs to fantasia, no matter your taste, these upcoming festivals have something for you.

NQ’s Rock’n Country bring the best of Australia’s country rock national and local artists together for a massive three-day festival.

August 19-21: NQ Rock’n Country – Mackay Showgrounds

Break out the cowboy boots for the return of NQ Rock’n Country to Mackay for its 2022 festival, proudly raising funds for children’s charity Variety Australia.

The charity supports kids and their families in facing the challenges of sickness, disability, and disadvantage.

Some of the big artists coming include Gina Jeffreys, Tania Kernaghan, Casey Barnes, Graeme Connors and Aussie legend Lee Kernaghan.

The three-day festival experience at Mackay Showgrounds will also feature The Hillbilly Goats, Route 33, James Blundell, Sammy White, Jasmine Rae, Beccy Cole, Chad Morgan, Luke Geiger, Brad Cox, and more.

Unearthed is a free community event that will feature a range of STEAM activities, live experiments, digital workshops and fossil showcase made in the region and unique to tropical Australia.

August 21: Unearthed Mackay – MECC

The free Unearthed event is a whole day’s worth of fun for dino-obsessed kids in the region, as the Queensland Museum sends its experts north to educate and entertain.

The Unearthed program will kick off looking at dinosaurs’ last living relatives with a 6.45am bird-watching session led by Queensland Chief Scientist Hugh Possingham.

From 9am, the MECC will host more than 40 interactive activities and demonstrations from virtual reality, glow-in-the-dark art, and a science rock band.

For fans of Antiques Roadshow, you can take in your precious heirlooms for assessment by a museum expert at Mackay’s first Saving Family Treasures stall.

Legends on the Lawn brings some of the biggest names to North Queensland for one day of great music at Harrup Park this August.

August 27: Legends on the Lawn – Harrup Park

Legends on the Lawn is a new concert series that has attracted huge names in music to Harrup Park.

With acts like Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Jon Stevens, Vanessa Amorosi and Christine Anu, “Legends” are exactly what you’ll see.

The festival was put together by the organisers of the popular Red Hot Summer Tour.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said in a statement that “to have big names like (these) performing in Mackay was a tremendous result for our community and our economy.

Jazz in the Park will feature staff and students from the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music on Sunday 11th September from 2 to 5pm in historic Queens Park.

September 11: Jazz in the Park – Queens Park

For a relaxing Sunday afternoon, Jazz in the Park is an event held by the staff and students of the CQ Conservatorium of Music.

This free event will also feature Mackay’s very own Blue Water Big Band and a special guest in singer and multi-instrumentalist Aaron West.

Take a picnic and enjoy some jazz in the beautiful grounds of Queens Park.

It will be held at the corner of Goldsmith and East Gordon Streets from 2-5pm.

160+ faces: All the photos from Be Social Fest

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Fantasy Festival is a themed event coming to Mackay which celebrates everything magical these September school holidays.

September 17: Fantasy Festival – Mackay Showgrounds

Fantasy Festival is a new event bringing magic to life for children and fantasy fans this September.

Returning after delighting Mackay’s youngest fairies and princesses in 2020, the festival celebrates the communities in fantasy and pop-culture.

The event features a variety of rides, stalls, activities, craft, food, stage shows and roving performers dressed as fiction’s famous heroes and heroines.

With tickets at the gate listed as being $6 per person, the festival makes for a great family outing these school holidays.

Rhythm & The Reef 2022 will bring some of the biggest artists and electronic acts to the north end this September.

September 24: Rhythm and The Reef – Blue Water Quay

Rhythm and the Reef is coming back this September with a bigger line-up, more shade and a fresh waterfront location.

The festival will feature acts such as Running Touch, ShockOne, Jack Bott, Touch Sensitive, Godlands, Ivan Ooze, Miss, Felipe Baldomir and more.

While the 2022 event will enjoy a central location at Blue Water Quay, last year’s event had huge success at Wake House in Andergrove.

Lost & Found Festival comes to Mackay on Saturday October 8 to feature some of the biggest names in Australian EDM & Hip Hop.

October 8: Lost and Found Festival – Mackay Showgrounds

This EDM and hip-hip festival wants to make Mackay bounce, as Lost & Found takes over the Showgrounds.

After a sell-out event in Townsville, Mackay will host acts such as Chillinit, the Stafford Brothers, Havana Brown, Bonka, A.Girl, Dave Winnel, Day1, Jack Knife, Nino Brown and much more.

The high-octane event will make its way to Mackay in early October, so get your tickets while they last.

Beach Sounds is an outdoor live music festival at The Surf Club Mackay featuring live music, comedy, art installation, and food vans.

October 15: Beach Sounds Music Festival – The Surf Club Mackay

For a true waterside party, head down to the inaugural Beach Sounds Music Festival at the Mackay Surf Club.

The event will be held on Harbour Beach and feature Dallas Crane, Hugo Stranger & The Rattlers, The Blackwater Fever, Bella MacKenzie, Matt Tandy and more.

Get down to the surf and enjoy some live music with a cold drink and a food truck snack.

Originally published as 2022 Mackay festival line-up: Country rock, jazz or fantasy