Yours and Owls is bringing Gong Christmas back to Wollongong this October, with the festival expanding its footprint across two days and two distinct settings. Day one returns to the coastal surrounds of Flagstaff Hill, while day two transforms the city itself into a sprawling network of venues, streets and laneways, with music spilling throughout the Steel City.
Leading the first announcement is Canadian rapper and internet phenomenon BBNO$, who will perform his only Australian show at the festival. He is joined by G Flip, making their Yours and Owls debut following another milestone year, alongside Brisbane favourites Ball Park Music, whose catalogue of sharp songwriting and enduring indie-pop hooks has made them one of Australia’s most dependable festival acts.
DMA’S also return for their third appearance at Yours and Owls, bringing with them the Britpop-infused sound that has earned them devoted followings both in Australia and abroad. Genesis Owusu, whose theatrical blend of hip hop, funk and punk has become one of the country’s most distinctive live propositions, joins the bill alongside Grammy-nominated innovators Hiatus Kaiyote, with Nai Palm and company continuing to blur the boundaries between neo-soul, jazz and experimental R&B.
Electronic music is represented by Luude, whose reworking of Men At Work’s ‘Down Under’ introduced his drum and bass sensibilities to a global audience, while Middle Kids return with their emotionally charged indie rock and PNAU bring a catalogue of dancefloor staples forged over more than two decades. Completing the headline names are reunited Melbourne legends The Drones, whose return in 2026 ended a decade-long absence, and ARIA Award-winning rapper Tkay Maidza.
Alongside the music, Yours and Owls will once again showcase local artists, food vendors and beverage suppliers, with the 2026 edition aiming to immerse audiences deeper into the creative culture of Wollongong itself. With one day overlooking the ocean and another embedded in the city’s streets, Gong Christmas continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in the community that gave it its identity.
Go HERE for ticketing and full lineup information.
