Get involved

Mackay Festival events are always seeking active participation from the local community and businesses.


Whether you’re an artist, performer, market stall operator, foodie with a difference, or one of the region’s fabulous event organisers – if you are interested in being a part of our events, we want to hear from you!

Male playing guitar on stage

 

Opportunities to get involved:

Mackay Festival of Arts - July

Event details

Festival of Arts Event Program

June 22, 2026 - August 9, 2026

 

 Application Applications open  Applications close
Join the Event Program    Closed

 

Wisely Wine and Food Day

Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 10.30am to 5.30pm
(Bump in for all food vendors is Friday, July 17)

 Application Applications open  Applications close
 In Event Experiences   Closed
 Performer Application   Closed
 Food Vendor Application   Friday, May 1, 2026
 Market Stall Application   Friday, May 1, 2026 
 Amusement Vendor Application*   Friday, May 1, 2026 

*Amusement providers must be self-sufficient with their own staff and ability to ticket their own rides.

 

Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub

July 23 - 26, 2026 | 6pm - 9pm each night
(Coincides with Daly Bay Illuminate)

 Application Applications open  Applications close
Performer Application   Closed
Food Vendor Application   Friday, May 1, 2026
Market Vendor Application   Friday, May 1, 2026
     

 

Daly Bay Illuminate

July 23 - 26, 2026 | 6pm to 9pm each night | City Heart

 

 Application Applications open  Applications close
Food Vendor Application   Closed
Market Vendor Application   Closed
Business Partner Applications   Friday, May 15, 2026

Complete the application form below. If applications are not currently open, you can choose to join our database and be notified when event applications open again.

Global Grooves - October

Even details

Global Grooves 2026

Saturday, October 24 | Queens Park

Applications Applications open Applications close
Performer Application TBA TBA
Food Vendor Application TBA TBA
Market Vendor Application TBA TBA

 

Complete the application form below. If applications are not currently open, you can choose to join our database and be notified when event applications open.

New Year's Eve River Party - December 31

Event details

New Year's Eve River Party 2026

Wednesday, December 31 | 6pm to 9pm | Bluewater Quay

 

Applications Applications open Applications close
Performer Application TBA TBA
Food Vendor Application TBA TBA
Market Vendor Application TBA TBA

 

Complete the application form below. If applications are not yet open, you can select to be added to our database to be notified when applications will be opening for our events.

Become a SPONSOR - have your brand seen!

Interested in becoming a sponsor for one or more of our events?

Let us know what you are interested in and we'll get in contact with you. Complete the application form below.

Join us as a festival volunteer

Festival-Volunteers- banner

 

Our events wouldn’t happen without our festivals team, including our wonderful Friends of the Festival Volunteers.

Once registered as a volunteer, your email will go onto our volunteer database and a notification will be sent to you when volunteer opportunities open for each of our events run over the year.

Our incredible and diverse crew of volunteers work closely with our festival team to deliver large community-based events. These include assisting in the bump in/out and the running of event/s, assisting public in navigating the event/s as well as, supporting all festival-goers in having the best time possible.

What’s involved

Per event, volunteers typically contribute between 2 - 6 hours. Depending on the event, Mackay Festivals offers a flexible and interesting range of volunteer opportunities.

Over the year, Mackay Festivals organises the 3 main festivals. These include:

  •  Mackay Festival of Arts (whole month of July). This festival includes Wisely Wine & Food Day and Daly Bay Illuminate.
  •  Global Grooves (October)
  •  New Years Eve River Party (December)

 

Volunteers need to be:

  • Aged 15 years and older
  •  Flexible and reliable with a sense of fun
  •  Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
  •  Expected to be available to work 4+ hours across the busy festival season (whole month of July).

We encourage people with different abilities, skills and experiences to apply.

The perks

Our Friends of the Festival gain valuable experience in working in the event industry, giving insight into the workings of both small and large scale events. It also provides opportunities to gain new friendships, network with arts and industry professionals as well as contribute to the community by providing safe, fun and welcoming events for the Mackay region. Volunteers will receive a festival t-shirt.

Other opportunities

There will be a range of learning and training opportunities (depending on role) that volunteers will receive and have access too.

This may include:

  • Volunteer induction
  • Hands on event experience
  • Customer service training
  • Teamwork experience
  • Sun safety training
  • Workplace health and safety training/education
  • Precision timing education and importance of deadlines
  • Equal opportunity


The Mackay Festival is an equal opportunity organisation. We celebrate culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Our vision is to have a team which reflects the diversity of Mackay’s population.

If interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete the Get Involved Application form below.

Get added to our vendor/performer database

Interested in being a food vendor, market stall holder or a performer at one of our events?

Applications not open yet? We can add you to our database and let you know when applications will be opening for our events.

 

GET INVOLVED APPLICATION FORM

Contact our team

Festivals and Events
Phone: 07 4961 9777
Email: festival@mackay.qld.gov.au