If you love to surf, are a fan of surfing or just like the surf spirit, then you should plan to take a holiday to Byron Bay for the weekend of 24-26 February. The Byron Bay Surf Festival is on at the end of February and will feature everything from actual surfing to art and film about surfing. Founded in 2010, the festival serves to bring together surfers and those who love the culture surrounding the sport to celebrate both the industry and lifestyle in an internationally famous surf community.
The Byron Bay Surf Festival, a three-day event, will feature approximately 20 programs, both free and ticketed, that includes everything from surf sessions, surfboard markets, art show, film viewings, yoga workshop, presentations, panels and demonstrations. Most of the events take place in the main town centre of Byron Bay, on and off the beach, as well as Wategos Beach where the main surf sessions on Sunday will be held.
Can’t Miss Events
- Art Show: Held at the Lone Goat Gallery at the Library from 5:30 to 7 pm on Friday, the “Surf Culture Now” art show will give visitors a chance to see new works by international and local artists.
- Sunset Cinema: Enjoy the Australian premiere of “Given” at the opening night event of the Byron Bay Surf Festival. It starts at 7 pm Friday evening and is held on the Byron Bay foreshore and is perfect for a picnic on the beach and even bringing along the kids.
- After Party: For the 18 and over crowd, head over to the Beach Hotel for live music and drinks starting at 9 pm, Friday night. The hotel will be decorated specially for the festival by local beer brewers Stone & Wood.
Saturday events at the Apex Park, Byron Foreshore
- Surf Art Market: Check out the art, fashion, organic foods, artisans and more throughout the day.
- Literature Lounge: The daylong forum will include conversations about surf culture in the areas of writing, photography, and storytelling through readings, interviews and presentations.
- The Woodshed: Stop by this area to see wood surfboards and people who make the boards. It is going to be the largest gathering of wooden boards in Australia!
Saturday afternoon and evening, all at the Byron Community Centre except the Saturday Slide (Beach Hotel)
- Short Film & Panel: Surfer Lauren Hill will moderate a panel and viewing of her short film, “Pear Shaped,” which focuses on gender issues unique to female surfers.
- Feature Film & Surf Shorties: Kick back and settle in to view several of the festival’s favourite 2017 shorts submissions in addition to a special screening of “Surfers’ Blood” by American Patrick Trefz.
- Saturday Slide: The main event of the Byron Bay Surf Festival, presented by Stone & Wood and The Beach Hotel, is a great night of music including the opening act of Hawaiian singer/songwriter Paula Fuga, local musician Bobby Alu and headliner G.Love. In between the music acts, attendees will be treated to clips from Jack McCoy’s 25-year film career.
Sunday Surf Sessions
- Freestyle & Stoke Surf Sessions: A highlight of the festival, these surfing sessions, available for all ages and noncompetitive status, gives surfers an opportunity to enjoy a variety of categories such as finless, logs, mermaids, fish, tandem and much more. This day of surfing will be held on Australia’s easterly point at Wategos Beach.
- Hunters & Collectors Demo & Show: Wander through an amazing selection of boards from modern and sustainable to handmade and collectables originating from all over the world.
How to Get Tickets
For any events that are tickets, such as the main event on Saturday night, the Saturday Slide, you’ll need to check the Byron Bay Surf Festival’s website where you can follow the links to each event to purchase tickets. The ticket prices range from $68.92 for the Saturday night event to $41.80 for a workshop and panel on “Reimagining the Surf Industry.” The short film and panel costs $18.80 while the grassroots activists workshop is $41.80.
Plan to stay at Broken Head for the Surf Festival
Get off the beaten path and relax in the quiet surrounds of Broken Head Holiday Park for your holiday weekend. After the busy days and evenings of the Byron Bay Surf Festival, it would be nice to stay in a place where you truly can enjoy some peace and quiet. Plus, you’ll save a few dollars by staying at the campsites or beach shacks at Broken Head Holiday Park. So if you love to surf, used to surf and still love it, collect surfboards or just like to soak up the culture, make reservations to come to Byron Bay at the end of this month!