Ability Fest Announces New Venue and Format for 2026

Ability Fest is returning in 2026 to a new venue with a fresh format.

In partnership with Untitled Group, and financially backed by the Australian Government's Revive Live initiative, the accessible and inclusive music festival, founded by former Australian of the Year and Paralympic Gold Medallist Dylan Alcott, will make its return to Melbourne's Timber Yard on April 11th, 2026.

Tickets presale will open at 10am (AEDT) on February 25th, before general on sale at 12pm. Sign up for presale here.

The festival is leaning into the Timber Yard's roots by revealing an all-electronic line up for 2026. The venue shift hopes to shine a light on Ability Fest’s ongoing mission - proving that accessibility works in any space. By activating at different venues each year - from outdoor festivals to warehouse parties - the event continues to challenge the music industry to think bigger about who gets to be part of live music culture.

According to the ABS, there are more than 5.5 million Australians living with disability, and Alcott said the industry is actively excluding them if they're not designing spaces with this population in mind.

“Ability Fest has always been about proving that accessibility and incredible experiences aren't mutually exclusive, they're essential. We want to show that accessibility at large-scale festivals isn’t just possible, it's achievable," he said.

“Whether it’s a field, a warehouse or any space between, we’re building the blueprint for what inclusive events should look like. Taking over a venue like the Timber Yard – a space known for world-class electronic acts – shows that accessible events can compete at the highest level.”

 

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Ability Fest is designed with inclusion at every level. The festival features elevated viewing platforms, quiet zones, sensory areas, Auslan interpreters and live captioning. Accessibility infrastructure includes dedicated parking and pick-up/drop-off zones, accessible bathrooms and changing places, a designated assistance dog area and the Bindi Maps navigation app. Companion tickets are also available free of charge for carers.

This year’s 18+ event continues initiatives from previous years including low ticket prices of $60 to increase accessibility and free entry for carers. These additions reinforce the festival’s ongoing commitment to providing a welcoming, safe and exciting experience for all attendees.

Untitled Group's Managing Partner Nicholas Greco, said: “It’s amazing to be part of Ability Fest’s return and to help bring the festival to a new venue and format this year. We’re looking forward to bringing this event to life with an electronic lineup while continuing the festival’s strong focus on accessibility."

Since launching in 2018, Ability Fest has donated 100% of proceeds to the Dylan Alcott Foundation, which funds scholarships, sports initiatives and entrepreneurial programs for young Australians with disability.

To date, the festival has raised over $1.5 million, directly contributing to life-changing opportunities across the country. Its impact reaches beyond entertainment, helping to shift perceptions around disability and strengthening community through shared cultural experiences.

For more information, see here. 

ABILITY FEST 2026

Saturday, April 11th The Timber Yard, Melbourne VIC