General News
11 March, 2026
Big Sky Festival is back
Rainbow will host the fourth Big Sky Festival at The Oasis on Saturday, March 14, with organisers again banking on a big community turnout for the free, all-ages event.
Organiser Ben Gosling said, “Attendees can expect a fun-filled day of entertainment for the whole family at the fourth Big Sky Festival.”
He said the festival will start with a market at The Oasis, Rainbow (corner King and Bow streets), with stalls running from 10am to 2pm.
“The day begins with our market, with over 20 stalls selling a wide range of goods from 10am - 2pm,” he said.
Live music will take over in the afternoon.
“The live music begins at 2pm and runs through until 9 pm,” Mr Gosling said.
“We are very proud of the lineup of amazing musicians we have coming to perform in Rainbow,” with Brooke Taylor, Skyscraper Stan, Delsinki, Ally Row, Grim Fawkner and Rainbow’s own The Lazy Farmer’s Sons listed to perform.
The festival will also feature hands-on activities, including pottery demonstrations from 11am to 2pm by Melbourne Clay and Dimboola Pottery, plus a community mural project on the Shelter Shed’s west wall guided by local artist Belinda Eckermann.
He said the families can expect plenty for younger kids.
“We have a wonderful children’s entertainer named Nicholas Ridiculous at the festival,” Mr Gosling said.
“He will be hosting a 2 hour Bebop Circus play space from 2-4pm, and performing his shows at 1.30pm and 4pm.
“The Nicholas Ridiculous show combines catchy live music, slapstick comedy and charismatic puppets in a show which will delight the entire family.”
He said the past events have drawn strong crowds.
“At past festivals, we have attracted about 500 people, and we are always hoping to build upon the crowd,” he said.
Mr Gosling said volunteers and sponsors keep the festival possible.
“People who volunteer their time to make community events happen are the key to their success,” he said.
“We have a working bee at the Oasis on Saturday morning, March 7, and welcome our community along to help us get the Oasis looking its best for the festival.
“Thanks to a ‘Look Over The Farm Gate’ Community Grant, we will be able to provide refreshments after the working bee.”
“It’s a free event made possible by the incredible generosity of our sponsors; we just can’t thank them enough.” He added, “Please bring a chair.”
The event has onsite catering, with a range of food provided by the Rainbow Lake Committee, the Rainbow Rises Committee, the Rainbow Scouts, Rainbow P-12 College and Big Bertha from Dimboola, with BYO alcohol.
After the festival, the Eureka Hotel will host the official afterparty from 9.30pm with live music by Hired Guns.