General News
9 May, 2026
The Goin' to Gil Festival Weekend is back this September
Under the Gums 2026 - Who is ‘Goin’ to Gil in 2026?
Contributed
The Goin’ to Gil Festival Weekend is back – bigger and better than ever! This September, Gilgandra will come to life with unforgettable entertainment, music, events, and genuine community spirit.
The festival program has something for everyone – families can enjoy interactive activities and entertainment, while there’s plenty to keep music lovers, food enthusiasts, and festival-goers engaged from morning to night, all to be topped off with an epic firework display.
Goin’ to Gil is a region-wide weekend festival, bringing together a diverse program of activities across the three days.
The streets and riverbanks will be alive with moments that celebrate everything making the Gilgandra Region unique, including the lighting of the Big ArmaTREE at Armatree, and the Streets of Colour event in Tooraweenah.
At the heart of the weekend is Under the Gums (UTG), the flagship music event that has become the jewel in the crown of Goin’ to Gil.
Now in its sixth year, Under the Gums is a must see highlight of the festival. This year's lineup includes:
The Fabulous Caprettos, made up of The Screaming Jets and The Angels lead singer, Dave Gleeson, six-time ARIA Award winning and platinum album producing, Wendy Matthews, and Thirsty Merc's Aussie Rock legend, Rai Thistlethwayte;
Australia’s biggest country rock duo, The Wolfe Brothers;
Sesame Street favourites, Elmo and Cookie Monster;
Straight from Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star;
Goin’ To Gil weekend MC and UTG host, Dusty Boots Podcast;
Rising female country star, Tori Darke; and
UTG returners party cover band, Splashpool.
Early Bird ticket prices apply until the end of June, and there is a special price for locals. Each ticket offers exceptional value, with renowned live music lineups, global kids entertainment icons, great food, craft brews and an atmosphere that’s unforgettable.
Tickets Explained
General Admission (GA) - get access to the GA action including food and bar vendors, kids zone and the GA event area. Revellers 5 and over.
GA Family Passes - bundle the whole family together and access special pricing. Pass price covers up to two adults and three children.
Level Up - Level Up your UTG experience to step out in style with red carpet access to a private 'Level Up Zone' that includes dedicated seating in a relaxed, stylish but spacious setting. You’ll also have an exclusive bar and food vendor, plus dedicated luxury amenities to ensure you skip the queue. To top it off - Levelling Up includes a complimentary drink and food voucher, and exclusive access to a 360 photo booth (included in ticket). This is the place to be!
Meet and Greet (M&G) - get up close and personal with the global stars of the kids stage with our M&G Passes that bring the icons to you! Sold as a family pass add on (up to two adults and three kids). Limited to 90 exclusive M&G Passes – so get yours before they’re gone!
Free Little Rockers - for under five-year-olds.
Tickets for UTG are essential, and available for purchase on at 123Tix.
Goin’ to Gil Festival Weekend
Across the Goin’ to Gil Festival Weekend, there will still be plenty of activities and performances that are free to enjoy. Multiple ticket options are available to suit every festival goer, from those diving into the full festival experience to those sampling the highlights.
The Festival Weekend is already brimming with events, activities and great times. From the lighting of the big ArmaTREE in Armatree, to the Streets of Colour event in Tooraweenah, Gilgandra Alive’s #LocalLegends busking, and the Gil Triathlon (Colour Run) which includes the Gilgandra CWA Watermelon Eating Competition, and the Coo-ee Call Competition.
With so much happening across the weekend, plan to stay and make the most of your visit. The Gilgandra Region offers a wide range of accommodation options, from cozy motels to camping under the stars - so be sure to book early. For more information on places to stay, contact the friendly team at the Coo-ee Heritage and Visitor Information Centre.
This showcase event of the Gilgandra Region is proudly brought to you with support from the NSW Government.
