BARKAA, Selve, Mental As Anything and More to Play St Kilda Festival 2026

St Kilda Festival is returning in 2026, with a lineup led by the likes of BARKAA, Selve, Jessica Mauboy, Mental As Anything, and Sneaky Sound System.

Presenting over 100 acts across multiple stages, and expecting to attract more than 350,000 festival goers over its two days, the festival will kick off on February 14th, with culturally focused music, workshops, markets, and the Kummargii Yulendji Gadabah Sunset Ceremony, overseen by N’Arweet Carolyn Briggs of the Boonwurrung Land & Sea Council. Indigenous outreach projects will also take over the Palais Forecourt with a full day of dance and cultural activities.

Day one – First Peoples First – will be headlined by recent ARIA winner BARKAA and powerhouse rock outfit Selve, celebrating First Peoples music and culture across two stages at South Beach Reserve and O’Donnell Gardens.

Day two of the festival will see Jessica Mauboy take the main stage. One of Australia’s most celebrated R&B/pop artists, songwriters, and actresses, with a career spanning nearly two decades, Mauboy is a multiple ARIA Award winner, and made history as the first Indigenous Australian solo artist to debut at No. 1 on the ARIA Album Chart. She has toured with Beyoncé and represented Australia at Eurovision 2014.

Legendary Aussie band Mental As Anything are set to make a historic comeback in the 25th anniversary of their last St Kilda Festival show, as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa reunite. The ARIA Hall of Fame inductees have carved out an enduring place in Australia’s cultural and musical history. With 25 Top 40 hits in Australia, Mental As Anything’s catalogue includes beloved classics and the international smash “Live It Up”, a song that continues to receive regular airplay across the UK and Europe.

Since 2014, Sneaky Sound System have been dance floor staples and remain as in-demand as ever, playing sold-out headline shows and festivals around the country, New Zealand and across Asia. The ARIA award winning duo’s more recent tracks are as beloved by audiences as their older successes, testament to their enduring popularity and ability to create tunes that start the party – and keep it going.

St Kilda Festival’s New Music Competition will also return, celebrating the next wave of homegrown Aussie talent. The competition has previously helped launch the careers of Missy Higgins, Baker Boy, and Client Liaison. This year’s New Music Stage lineup features MAGNETS, OSITA, Wild Gloriosa, The Carp Factory, and Sunsick Daisy, among others.

Port Phillip Council Mayor Alex Makin said: “St Kilda Festival always puts on a fantastic show – 2026 continues this tradition. We’re excited to welcome Mental as Anything back after 25 years in the Big Festival Sunday lineup along with other amazing acts including Jessica Mauboy and Sneaky Sound System.

“Talented artists BARKAA and Selve will set the pace at First Peoples First on the Saturday. Come along for the music, food, activities, culture and rides at this joyful two-day celebration of the live music that our City is known and loved for.”

The full program will be announced on January 14th.

For tickets and further information, see here.