Young people are taking over the Cobargo Showground Pavilion this April – and you’re invited!

Southern Lights Festival 2026 is a youth-led creative event that’s transforming our local showground into an immersive audiovisual experience on Saturday 18 April. Think live music, projection mapping, digital visuals and large-scale décor – all co-designed and co-produced by young people aged 13–24 from along the South Coast.

Before the big day, participants will spend three days in intensive workshops (15–17 April) working with experienced mentors from organisations like Cobargo Folk Festival, Bioluminescence Project, Griffith University and RMIT. They’ll have hands-on experience in everything from audio production and event management to visual design, lighting and live performance.

Festival Director Scott Baker considers Southern Lights is about more than just putting on a show. ‘This project gives young people real responsibility, real skills and real confidence. They’re not just learning about creative industries – they’re actively building one.’

The workshops are completely free and no experience is needed – just the will to create something amazing! The project is looking for at least twenty young people from the area to join one of five production teams.

On festival day, there’ll be public workshops in electronic music production and DJing, plus a synthesiser expo where you can be hands-on with unique electronic music instruments. When night falls, expect a broad range of performances celebrating youth creativity and innovation.
If you’re aged 13–24 and want to be involved (either on stage or behind the scenes), head to bioluminescence.au/southernlights to register. Festival tickets are also on sale now.

Southern Lights is brought to you by Bioluminescence Project, Candelo Arts Society, Griffith University, RMIT and Yuin Folk Club, with support from Destination NSW and Creative Australia. I can be contacted on email at spbaker@gmail.com or phone 0432 604 886.

Scott Baker