NYE On The Hill will bid farewell to 2026 – and its storied legacy – with this year’s festival. The beloved festival is hosting its last-ever event in December, and it’s calling for last drinks.
This year’s line-up is headlined by Brisbane indie favourites Ball Park Music. They’ll be joined by Sydney rockers The Rions, WA duo Old Mervs, and Pacific Avenue, who are still riding high off the release of their latest record in February.
Plus, fans can witness the new generation of acts, including Sleepazoid, Mid Drift, REDD., Boy Soda, Milly Strange, The Tullamarines, Intermood, and many others.
Taking place in South Gippsland, Victoria, the 2026 edition of NYE On The Hill was initially meant to be a grand return for the festival after embarking on a “fallow year” last year. Last September, organisers announced they would be taking the 2025/2026 season off to “relax, repair and rejuvenate.”
Now, it’s time to say farewell for good.
Announcing that 2026 would be its final festival on Instagram today (7 October), organisers didn’t share a reason for pulling the plug after this year’s event, but they did note that the event is “going to go out on an absolute high. Leave the party when it’s at its best, as they say.”
“THE LAST HILL. It is with great excitement that we announce that this NYE On The Hill will be the last chance to celebrate the Hill in all its incredible good-vibing glory,” a statement on the festival’s Instagram reads.
Adding that “all great things must come to an end,” but memories made at the popular event will live on forever, organisers reflected on 23 years of hosting a “Party on the Hill.”
Born out of an idea from The Hills Are Alive Festival to host an intimate NYE celebration with friends, the initial “little party” held just 334 punters for New Year’s Eve in 2012. The day was so fun that the original concept developed into a festival.
“What started as a little invite-only shindig for a bunch of Melbourne bands and their friends back in 2009 went on to become more than we could have ever imagined,” organisers wrote. “This NYE will be one of the best parties the hill has ever seen, and we’re going to go out on an absolute high. Leave the party when it’s at its best, as they say.”
Throughout its tenure, over 600 bands and more than 2,500 musicians have graced the NYE On The Hill stage. For punters and performers alike, friendships were made, and annual traditions to visit the Hill began.
The statement concluded, “Thanks to every single person involved in The Hills Are Alive/NYE on the Hill journey. We hope anyone that has connected with the Hill over the years can come and join us in celebrating this amazing event, community and location one last time!
“Here’s to one final Shindig. One final hill. Let’s have some fun.”
