Taranta Festival

For four transformative days, Bellingen becomes a meeting place for memory, movement and music during the Taranta Festival.
Workshops, installations, parades, food, and performances from across the Mediterranean and the world.

This year’s festival explores identity through music, movement, memory and shared stories. Artists and communities from different cultures and traditions come together to celebrate what shapes us, what connects us and how culture is carried forward.

• Performances by bands, musicians, and dancers from the Mediterranean and around the world
• Parades, dress-up celebrations, and roaming performances where the whole community gets involved
• Play-along and participatory workshops for all ages and experience levels
• Live music, movement, spoken word, and storytelling across multiple spaces
• Intimate concerts, high-energy dance events, and moments of collective celebration
• Free events and fringe events throughout the town
• Community meals and shared food experiences, including aperitivo, long lunches, and cooking workshops (some ticketed or bookable)
• Art installations and discovery spaces
• Talks, conversations, and discussions

Friday, October 30

Opening Day: Bellingen

The festival begins with a day of music, dance, workshops, talks and community ritual across Bellingen.

Daytime events will take place at:

• 5 Church Street
• The Bellingen Brewery
• Bellingen Memorial Hall

Gala Night: Coffs Harbour

The celebration continues at the Coffs Harbour Conservatorium with a special Gala Night.

Featuring Hyperbaroq from Melbourne and the Santa Taranta Orchestra from Bellingen and Melbourne, including the Santa Taranta Orchestra album launch.

Places for the Gala Night are limited.

Saturday, October 31: The World Stage

Global folk traditions meet in a full day of performances and activities across Bellingen. Morning and lunchtime sessions will take place around town, followed by workshops, poetry, movement and evening concerts at the Memorial Hall.

Featuring:

Ginkgobiloba • Alessandro Santacaterina • Transatlantico • Hyperbaroq • Wombatuque • Ars Nova Napoli • The Bellingen Singers

Plus free jams, community art, roaming performances, conversations, workshops and folk music sessions.

Sunday, November 1: Celebrating Our Diversity

The festival closes with Italian food, dance and a collective celebration of diversity. The day includes morning and lunchtime sessions around town, workshops, a long-table lunch and a final night of soulful music and global rhythms.

Featuring:

Playback Theatre • LOOM • Diego Jascalevich • BYO Sinfonia Ensemble accompanying festival artists • Greek Dance Party with Trio Petra • Farhan Shah & SUFI OZ • Santa Taranta Orchestra with Ars Nova Napoli

Plus free and ticketed performances, community art, folk music sessions, roaming performances, conversations and workshops.