Festivals, Cruises & Major Rock'n'Roll Events

This page also lists overseas festivals, so you can combine your next trip with some music and dancing fun.
 

Annual Festivals

 When

 Festival

 Where

 What

FESTIVAL

February 7 - 14

Rock Around the Rock NORFOLK ISLAND
 SOUTH PACIFIC
Norfolk Island  Rock'n'Roll Festival
2009 will see the Dance On Band, Route 66, Frankie and Johnny and Norfolk's very own Rock n Roll local band rock you off your feet!
Combine the fun of Rock'n'Roll with the wonders of Norfolk for the perfect week away!
CRUISE

February 12 to 24

Cruisin' & Rockin' Around the Orient

- 24, 2010

Exit Fremantle

SE Asia

Your Cruise and Dancing Inclusions:
12 nights accommodation in air conditioned cabins with private facilities. All cabins have phone, television, music, hairdryer and safe deposit box.
Breakfast and Lunch Daily. Dinner each evening plus afternoon tea daily. Cruise and visit the ports of Fremantle, Komodo, Padang Bay in Bali, Lombok, Broome & Geraldton. Pacific Sun cruise ship has undergone a multi million dollar makeover including a new child free-free Oasis spa retreat with coffee bar and ocean view gym.
Entertainment Includes: Rock and Roll Dancing, Captain's Cocktail Party, Special Guest Artists, Sparkling Cabaret Shows, Live Bands, Nightclub, Movie Cinema, Casino, Great Bars, Lounges & Entertainment.
Activities Include:
Rock and Roll Dancing, Swimming Pools, Jogging Track, Gym, Massage Beauty Salon, Yoga, Table Tennis, Cooking Demos, Duty Free Shopping, Sauna, Spa, Bridge, Games Room, Bingo, Basketball, Netball. Rock 'n' Roll Dancing on Board. Professional Professional Rock 'n' Roll Instructors. Meet Dancers from all over Australia.
Limited Cabins - Book Early

CRUISE

February 14 to 18

 

LesRoc Rock'n'Roll Cruise   Rock'n'Roll Cruise on the Athena Cruise Ship. 4 Days and Nights of Fun & Dancing.  Last year at about the same time 70 plus people from LesRoc went on a similar cruise. In summary we had a great time. This time, this Cruise, is all about Us and Rock'n'Roll, Jive and Latin Line Dancing. The Band will be given an extensive list of Music to play by myself and I'll be taking all my CDs, so I can DJ if need be. We will be doing classes every morning - Latin Line Dancing and Rock'n'Roll and Jive in the afternoons. The Invitation will also be extended to other Dance Clubs, but without the Discount. To BOOK Please call Scott  Xpress Worldwide Travel  OPENSEAS 1800 352 655 or email info@openseas.com.au. Xpress Worldwide Travel  OPENSEAS Online Cruises, Shop 6&7 Highgate Court, Corner Queen and High Street, Fremantle WA 6160. Look forward to seeing you on the gangplank. Les  0428 885 503. Prices for the cruise go from $613 to 1,675 depending on your choices.

FESTIVAL

February 19

Summersun Perth
Western Australia
 

FESTIVAL

February 12 - 15

Boyup Brook Country Music Festival

 
Boyup Brook, W.Australia

Enquiries: phone/fax (08) 9765 1657 email

The line up of artists for the weekend is HUGE; with well over 150 artists. Details - see here

countrymusicwa@westnet.com.au

FESTIVAL

February 24 -

March 2

ROCKONZ Rock and Roll Festival Christchurch City

NZ

ROCKONZ 2008 (run by the Canterbury Education & Community Trust), brings a week long feast of Rock and Roll. Dress up, join in and enjoy the Rock and Roll music, dancing, classic cars, motor bikes and nostalgia.

FESTIVAL

March 14 - 16

Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival Ararat, Victoria
Australia
 

FESTIVAL

March 20 - 23

Shake Rattle and Roll Weekender Vauxhall Holiday Park, Acle New Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1TB UK A truly International show sees sister of Sun Legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Linda Gail Lewis (USA), sensational Gene Vincent style from Erwin Travis (France) and solid hitmakers and dance floor fillers, The Lennerockers (Germany). The Uk's own piano man, Mike Sanchez will set the hall alight on Saturday night, with Phil Haley rockin you around the clock, Darrel Higham wowing you on guitar and the remarkable Jets, who have been the most successful rock n roll trio since the 1950's!

FESTIVAL

March 26 - 29

Beach Hop - #1 New Zealand Nostalgia Festival

Whangamata

New Zealand

Held in the popular seaside holiday resort of Whangamata, the 5 day festival celebrates the music, culture, fashion,  hot rods, motorbikes, dancing, dragsters, scooters of this golden era. The festival has grown from 4,000 to over 70,000 people in just 5 years. This makes it one of the largest events of its kind in the world. All proceeds raised are donated to emergency services in the area. Come along and enjoy all the non stop action!

FESTIVAL

Sunday
29 March 2009

Perth Nostalgia Festival

See the website (use hyperlink above) for updates, fundraisers and current details.

Proudly supported by the City of South Perth

This is a free community event being run with the Fiesta Festival of South Perth.

 South Perth

Western Australia

 

Music - The South Perth foreshore will come alive with bands playing great songs from days gone by.

Bring a picnic rug and spend an afternoon listening to the classic sounds of Swing and Rock 'n' Roll music.

Dance - Limber up and boogie with your friends on the huge dance floor.

Catch the dazzling dance displays from some of Perth's hottest retro dancers.

Cars - Enjoy a colourful parade of vintage and hot rod cars.

You can chat with the owners and various members of Perth's many historic car clubs.
 and more -

  • Market stalls
  • Face painting
  • Family fun day

FESTIVAL

April 1 - 4 2010

Viva Las Vegas The Orleans Hotel
4500 W. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89103

Rockabilly Party Weekend
with
Chuck Berry, Wanda Jackson, Rudy Tutti Grayzell and the usual suspects (the Vargas Bros et al)
 

FESTIVAL

Two full calendar weeks before Easter each year.

 

Garterbelts and Gasoline

http://www.myspace.com/garterbeltsandgasoline

 

The Bearded Dragon Hotel, junction of Beenleigh- Beaudesert, Tamborine mountain and Waterford -Tamborine roads, the hotel is set on 110 acres of farm and bushland and includes an a la carte restaurant, great accommodation and is just 40 mins drive from Brisbane or the gold coast, and no pokies !!!

GARTER BELTS AND GASOLINE is a rockabilly rod and kustom show celebrating many of the things from the 1950s still held close to so many peoples hearts, even after half a century.

At the show you will find many cool rods and kustoms, drag cars, vintage bikes and low riders, lots of pretty pin up girls, burlesque dancers, pin stripers, kustom kulture artists and of course last but certainly not least some fine rockabilly bands.

Hosted by Paul and Amanda Biagini from American Republic, Harbourtown and Moonshine Traders, the show is held each year and is aimed at families with a friendly and laid back atmosphere.

The show is held at the Bearded Dragon Boutique Hotel in Tamborine Village, which you will find at the foot of beautiful Mt Tamborine in Queensland's Gold Coast hinterland.

FESTIVAL

April 18

West Coast Blues'n'Roots Festival The Esplanade, Fremantle

Western Australia

 
CRUISE

April 26 to May 7 2010

 

Cruisin' & Rockin' The South Pacific Exit Sydney

South Pacific

Your Cruise and Dancing Inclusions: 11 nights accommodation in air conditioned cabins with private facilities. All cabins have phone, television, music, hairdryer and safe deposit box.  Breakfast and Lunch Daily. Dinner each evening plus afternoon tea daily.
Cruise and visit the ports of Luganville, Wala, Champagne Bay and Vila in Vanuatu plus Lifou in the Loyalty Islands before arriving back to Sydney.
Pacific Jewel is now P&O's new and exciting superliner to hit our shores in December 2009.
Entertainment Includes: Rock and Roll Dancing, Captain's Cocktail Party, Special Guest Artists, Sparkling Cabaret Shows, Live Bands, Nightclub, Movie Cinema, Casino, Great Bars, Lounges & Entertainment plus so much more. Activities Include: Rock and Roll Dancing, Swimming Pools, Jogging Track, Gym, Massage Beauty Salon, Yoga, Table Tennis, Cooking Demos, Duty Free Shopping, Sauna, Spa, Bridge, Games Room, Bingo, Basketball, Netball just to name a few. Rock 'n' Roll Dancing on Board. Professional Rock 'n' Roll Instructors. Meet Dancers from all over Australia. Limited Cabins - Book Early

FESTIVAL

May 2 - 4

Riverland Rock'n'Roll Festival

 

McCoy Street
Waikerie
South Australia 5330

 
The Riverland Rock 'n' Roll Festival is a weekend of rock 'n' roll dancing, live bands, entertainment, markets, street parade, fun and entertainment for the family to enjoy together.  The festival commences on the evening of Friday 2 May 2008 with a free dance at the Waikerie Club featuring a live band. Saturday morning 3 May 2008 will feature dancing, demonstrations and a street parade, with afternoon highlights including dancing, markets and entertainment. Saturday evening concludes with a rock n roll extravaganza in the Waikerie High School. Sunday 4 May 2008 starts with a recovery late breakfast barbecue at the Waikerie Club. More dancing, markets and entertainment.

FESTIVAL

15 - 18 May

Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekender  #42 Hemsby

England

Rockabilly Weekend with
Roddy Jackson | Sleepy Labeef | Art Adams
 Eva Eastwood & Her Swedish Band | Riverside Trio |
The Playboys |  The Reno Brothers | Jack & The Rippers | The High Jacks | The Tune Busters |  Jack Rabbit Slim | Laura B & The Moonlighters | Slim Slip & The Sliders
 The Excellos | The Slingshots | The Frettones |
Paul Paterson | The Mojo Kings
 plus.. Warren Scott & The Memphis Playboys | Lisa George & The Pedalos |  Big Black Cadillac | The Moonshiners

FESTIVAL

28 - 30 May 2010

3 Day Rock'n'Roll Festival

Bands Include: Atmosphere the Band, Route 66, Wally & the gators, Hiway1, Chevrolets and many more

www.southportrsl.com.au

Come over to sunny Qld and Rock On!

Southport Rsl Club

Scarborough Street

Southport, Gold Coast, Qld

 

 

FESTIVAL

4 - 14 June 2010

Wintersun
Queensland

 Australia

The festival is held in the border coastal towns of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads on the New South Wales & Queensland border. Many events are free, some are in the streets while others are in the local clubs and shopping centres.
May 26 - June 1 Screamin' 2009 - Rock & Rhythm Festival PINEDA DE MAR

Barcelona

Spain

Easy to explain; sun, beach and 50's Rock and Roll...The Screamin' festival are here once more; a crazy, funny, wild... Week of record hops, live music, all kind of parties and party, party, party.
This event has been growing year by year with attendance by people from over 20 countries. This is not just a weekender, this is not just a festival, this is not even just a holidays, this is a real R&R vacation; imagine: you can enjoy beach, sun, pool or all that a touristic resort as Pineda de Mar offers to its visitors and at the evenings and nights record hops, live 50's R&R music, beach parties, Hawaiian parties
.

FESTIVAL

May 30 - June 1

Rock'n'Roll Weekender Walldorf
Germany
 

FESTIVAL

June 1 - 7 2010

Calella Rock & Roll Holidays

 

Calella,

Barcelona

Spain

"One week of Rock & Roll in the sun..!!

One complete week with daily action !! Live bands, DJs,swimming pool parties, beach parties, tattoo artist, 50's fleamarket, record stalls, etc! For more details (booking information; how to arrive; etc) please check out: www.calellarocks.de.tl

Classic Rock&Roll, Rockabilly, Teddyboy Rock&Roll,
Doo Wop, Rhythm & Blues and Surf!!!

myspace

FESTIVAL

June 18 - 22 2009

Rockabilly Rave Pontins Holiday Centre

New Lydd Rd
Camber Sands
East Sussex TN31 7RL England

Four nights of Red Hot Rockabilly

At the last Rave, an American girl came over to me after walking around the site on a beautiful sunny afternoon. She had seen all the cars and bikes, the BBQs, the Midsummer parties, band practices and jam sessions and had met rockabillies from all over the world! 'Hey Jerry, this is just like Rockabillyland'! she said. And of course, she was right!
Part of the huge success of the Rave, is the fact it is all together one self contained site, completely taken over by like minded rockabilly fans. No outsiders, just the rockin crowd enjoying their scene. A melting pot of the latest ideas, trends in clothes, new recordings, hot new bands and cool old trucks and cars...
There are many good weekenders around the world, but there is nothing that comes close to the atmosphere of this, the original rockabilly event.
Welcome to the Rockabilly Rave, welcome to Rockabillyland!

FESTIVAL

June 26 - 28

Rockabilly Rebel Weekend


"Radio Radio" in Fountain Square

Indianapolis, INDIANA

Among others: Saturday June 28:
WANDA JACKSON
THE LUSTRE KINGS
SEAN MENCHER
THE DIXONS
COWTOWN PLAYBOYS and many more ...

more details on myspace - here

 
July 17 - 26 WC Handy Music Festival The Shoals - Florence

Alabama USA

W.C. Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues", was born in a simple log cabin in Florence, AL on Nov. 16, 1873 and lived there until he was nineteen years old. Handy composed the famous tunes "St. Louis Blues", "Memphis Blues", "Yellow Dog Blues" and "Beale Street Blues". Click here to read a biography of W.C. Handy written by Terry Pace, educator and Muscle Shoals music historian.

FESTIVAL

July 30 to
August 2

Satchmo Summerfest New Orleans, Louisiana

USA

Festival to honour New Orlean's son Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong.

FESTIVAL

July 31 to
August 2

GreazeFest Kustom Kulture Festival Brisbane
Australia
The GreazeFest is Australia's annual kustom kulture weekender.

The GreazeFest is all about celebrating rockabilly and psychobilly music, custom cars, vintage bikes and lowriders, pinstriping, low brow artwork, tattoos, dancing and fashion.

Now in it's tenth year, the GreazeFest has become a yearly pilgrimage for rockabilly fans and kustom kulture devotees from all parts of the globe. 

 

FESTIVAL

August 6 - 8

International Rockabilly Music Festival Jackson, Tennessee, USA
hometown of Carl Perkins
The World's Largest Gathering of Rockabilly History makers In the city where it all began!
 
CRUISE & RESORT

August 8 to 15 2009

Rock 'n' Roll The Reef III
A Truly Great Dance Holiday

Long Island Resort * Great Barrier Reef
 
Great Barrier Reef

ROCKIN' HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS: 7 Nights Beachfront Suite Accommodation. ALL MEALS - Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily including a Welcome Seafood Extravaganza. Welcome Meet & Greet Happy Hour - Get to know your fellow Rockers. Tour to Daydream Island including lunch at the stunning Mermaids Restaurant and use of the resorts facilities.
Return Water Ferry Transfers To Long Island.
Professional Rock 'n' Roll Instructors. Rhonda & Ray of Renegade Rockers.
Free Rock 'n' Roll Socials and Workshops. Meet Mary & Ray of Gorgeous Gear on the island. Great time to order new RNR Gear. Free Resort Entertainment & Activities. Meet Rockers from all over Australia & NZ. Lots of Fun, Friendship, Free Time and Great Rockin' Dance Times.  ROCKIN' HOLIDAY PRICES PER PERSON: $1599 TRIPLE SHARE; $1699 TWIN SHARE; $2255 SOLE USE. Please Note: This is a Rock 'n Roll dance event and all bookings must be made with the Rock 'n' Roll Travel Club to gain access to all dance sessions, tours and welcome happy hour.

FESTIVAL

August 29 - September 1

Coney Island Rockabilly Festival Coney Island New York City USA Four Days of Rockabilly, Burlesque, Sideshow, Roller Derby, Pin Up Art, Hot Rods and Tattoos !!

FESTIVAL

September 9-13

  Calella,

Barcelona

Spain

 

Johnny Law & the Pistol Packin' Daddies is one of the bands !!!

http://www.myspace.com/highrockabilly

FESTIVAL

October 2,3 & 4

Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival '08 Narooma NSW Australia Narooma is by no means the biggest Blues Festival in Australia, but we have always delivered a stellar line up of International and national artists. Part of our success over the years is the fact that we don't try to compete with other major Festivals throughout the country.

Our intimate, 3 stage site in the middle of beautiful Narooma on the NSW South Coast within easy walking distance of most accommodation is in itself something special.

We build our Festival each year by taking notice of what our patrons want.

FESTIVAL

October 9 - 11

Rockabilly Rave USA #2 The Orleans Hotel
4500 W. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Johnny Law & the Pistol Packin' Daddies is one of the bands !!!

FESTIVAL

October 8 - 11

Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekender #43 Hemsby

England

The latest news from Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekenders.
The dates for Hemsby 43 will be October 9 - 12, 2009 and we are knocked out to announce our head-liner will be the fantastic Jack Earls, the greatest living rockabilly star in the world today.
Such are Jack's legendary Hemsby performances that this will be a record breaking 6th Hemsby appearance. We simply had to bring back Jack. The most popular 80's revival band to ever play Hemsby will also be reappearing. The original Tunnel line up of The Bluecats! You kept asking for them so we had to rebook them and the Bluecats will be be playing, only, their second show in 15 years. That is special! Thanks guys.

       

FESTIVAL

October 10,11,12

Happy Days Festival '08 Yarram, Victoria

 Organised by:

Yarram Lions and the Won Wron Rockers

Featuring:

  • DJ Lucky Lips (the maestro himself)
  • Itchy Fingers (supremely talented band)
  • AllStars (No.1 R'n'R band in Australia)
  • Hot Rods
  • Buskers
  • Dance competitions including solo SYTYC Dance (bring own CD, any age, any style)
  • Market Stalls
  • R'n'R Gospel Service
  • R'n'R Trivia Night and Dance
  • Hoola Hoop Comp. (bring own hoop).

FESTIVAL

Oct 29 to Nov 1

Ubangi Stomp Hotel Bali, Benidorm, Spain American Roots music festival: Blues, Country, Swing, Hillbilly, Rock'n'Roll, Rockabilly, Doo-Wop, R&B, Fingerpicking, Surf.

FESTIVAL

31 Oct to 8 Nov

Adelaide Rock 'N' Roll Festival Adelaide

South Australia

Each year the Adelaide Rock 'n' Roll Club arranges a week-long festival of Rock 'n' Roll and Swing Dancing with daily events featuring bands and dancers from around Australia. The festival culminates in a day-long outdoor event at a public reserve in Glenelg, a popular beachside suburb, which is free to attend. The dancing is flashy, fast and furious as thousands of members of the public get to see just exactly what Rock 'n' Roll is all about.

FESTIVAL

8, 9 and 10

November

Blues at Bridgetown Bridgetown

Western Australia

The Blues at Bridgetown Festival is an annual blues music event held over three days in the spectacular settings of the Bridgetown townsite, 272kms south-east of Perth.  The Blues at Bridgetown Festival has been held annually on the second weekend in November since 1993. The program showcases an all-embracing and diverse range of blues music for in excess of 170 hours of music at various venues around the town.
CRUISE

Nov 20

to 17 2010

Looking for a rock'n'roll Cruise for next year? Blue Suede Cruise has a great 50s and 60s rnr cruise 7 nights in the South Pacific ex Sydney - 20th to 27th November 2010...so time to save up for it (monthly instalments can be arranged). Prices start @ $1170pp (quad share) $1716 (twin share). Twelve great rnr shows including Elvis to the Max; The Beatnix; Lonnie Lee and the Leeman; Jade Hurley; The Chevrolets. www.bluesuedecruise.com.au.

Already quite a few WA people booked in.

john@bluesuedecruise.com.au

 

Exit Sydney

South Pacific

To book in WA contact Bicton Travel
Shop 1/258 Canning Highway
Cnr Canning Highway & Petra Street
Bicton, WA 6157
Ph: (08) 9339 0277
Fax: (08) 9339 7437
Email: bictont@iinet.net.au
Web: bictontravel.com.au
Licence: 9TA1062
ABN: 81082966005

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