North Queensland’s largest music festival is officially relocating to Cairns for the first time ever, after three years in Mackay. Be Social Fest 2025 is set to be bigger, bolder, and louder, taking over the Cairns Showgrounds on Saturday 25 October, headlined by the soulful sounds of Matt Corby, Aussie hip-hop icons Bliss N Eso (with a brand new album), and international heavyweights Baauer (USA) and Petit Biscuit (France) along with 11 other national headlines.
Returning for its fourth year, the all-ages festival continues to make noise, not just for its stacked lineups, but for its growing footprint at a time when many Australian music festivals are scaling back or shutting down entirely.
“While many festivals are being forced to scale back or shut down altogether, Be Social is doing the opposite — we’re growing,” said Festival Director Michael Delaney. “Our team is committed to creating a festival that not only celebrates music but genuinely connects people. We’ve listened to our audience and reinvested into the experience — more artists, more activations, and more reasons to stay social.”
The 2025 program features a high-energy mix of genre-pushing acts, including electronic duo Sneaky Sound System, festival favourites Boo Seeka, Crooked Colours, and Karnivool, alongside Ocean Sleeper, Ruby Fields, Mashd N Kutcher (DJ set), Shockone, and more still to be announced. Festivalgoers can also warm up with an exclusive 18+ pre-party on Friday 24 October at The Jack, featuring Winston Surfshirt and friends.
Delaney added, “Cairns is one of the most unique destinations in the country to experience live music — where else can you go from a music festival to the Great Barrier Reef in the same weekend? Be Social Fest isn’t just about the lineup; it’s about the full experience of being in the tropics, soaking up the culture, and making a weekend of it. We’re proud to bring something of this scale to Far North Queensland — and the response shows that this region is more than ready for it.”
With upgraded site production, a renewed focus on sustainability and community partnerships, and more artists than ever before, Be Social Fest 2025 is positioning itself as a mainstay of the Australian live music calendar — and a bright spot for regional Queensland.
The 2023 Mackay event drew 5,000 people, with this year’s festival expected to surpass 8,000 attendees thanks to increased capacity and an even more ambitious program.
Fans are encouraged to register now via https://besocialfest.com.au/ for ticket access and a chance to win money-can’t-buy experiences, including backstage passes, meet-and-greets, and exclusive festival merchandise. Planning a trip? Explore tourism deals at https://tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/deals/
The Be Social Fest 2025 Line-up drops at 9:05 am on Tuesday, 22 July, with presales opening on 30 July via https://besocialfest.com.au/, followed by general ticket release from 31 July.
