Returned in March 2026 after an extended break. The 2027 edition moves to a new site, Colston Hill in Glenaroua, Victoria, 5 to 8 March 2027. Not at Lexton.
Know before you go
The practical bit
- When to go
- Rainbow Spirit 2027, Emergent Form: Friday 5 March, 12pm, to Monday 8 March, 2pm (AEDT). The festival's traditional slot was the Australia Day long weekend in January.
- Getting there
- Colston Hill, 1755 Seymour-Tooborac Road, Glenaroua VIC 3764: a new site, not Lexton. The official return shuttle (A$120 + fee) leaves Southern Cross, Melbourne, from 11am on Friday 5 March and returns from Tallarook from 11am on Monday 8 March, with car-free camping included.
- Tickets
- Sold on Humanitix via the official site. Entry with camping: first and second releases sold out; final round A$420 + fee (checked 20 October 2026). Kids under 12 go free. Every vehicle entering the camping area needs a vehicle pass: A$40 car, A$50 small trailer or camper, A$60 large RV, caravan or bus.
- Camping
- Camping is included with entry from 12pm Friday. There is a Kids Space and dedicated family camping, and pre-pitched Sleepy Hollow bell tents for two (glamping packages from A$1,400 + fee for a 3 m tent, already sold out; 4 m tent A$1,500 + fee).
- History
- Founded in 1998 as Rainbow Serpent and renamed Rainbow Spirit in July 2023 over concerns about cultural appropriation. Its long-time home was near Lexton, Victoria; the 2020 edition was cancelled after bushfire damage to the site.
- Official
- Official site and tickets → (rainbowspirit.net)
Checked on 20 October 2026 against the venue's own site. Times, prices and routes change: confirm before you travel.
In the room
The experience
Rainbow Spirit Festival was called Rainbow Serpent until July 2023, when it changed its name amid concerns about cultural appropriation. The festival was founded in 1998 and has been a four-day camping festival of psytrance, electronic music, art and workshops at Lexton in Victoria, about 160 km west of Melbourne. Its usual slot is the Australia Day (26 January) long weekend. The 2020 edition was cancelled after bushfire damage and 2021 was a streaming event. After an extended break it returned from 6 to 9 March 2026 at a temporary home, Eagle Ridge Event Park in Tallarook, because it could not yet return to Lexton. The 2027 edition moves to a new site, Colston Hill in Glenaroua, from 5 to 8 March 2027. The camping community is as much the festival as the stages.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
Take the official shuttle from Southern Cross: it includes premium, centrally located car-free camping, and it saves the A$40 vehicle pass and the drive home after four days.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
The Australian transformational-festival anchor. Long-running, programming-led and, since 2023, renamed.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Rainbow Spirit 2027 runs 5 to 8 March. The festival's traditional slot was the Australia Day long weekend in late January; bushfire damage to the site cancelled the 2020 edition, so check fire conditions before you travel.
Hours
Four days. Rainbow Spirit 2027, Emergent Form, runs from 12pm Friday 5 March to 2pm Monday 8 March 2027 at Colston Hill, Glenaroua. Camping on site is included with entry.
Getting there
The 2027 edition is at Colston Hill, 1755 Seymour-Tooborac Road, Glenaroua VIC 3764, not Lexton. The official return shuttle (A$120 + fee) leaves Southern Cross, Melbourne, from 11am on Friday 5 March 2027 and returns from Tallarook from 11am on Monday 8 March, with car-free camping included. Drivers need a vehicle pass for every vehicle entering the camping area.
Straight from the source
Official site and tickets
Dates, line-ups and tickets come from the organiser. Opens rainbowspirit.net in a new tab.
FAQ
Questions people ask
When is Rainbow Spirit Festival 2027?
Friday 5 March to Monday 8 March 2027. The site opens at 12pm on the Friday and the festival closes at 2pm on the Monday (AEDT). The 2027 edition is called Emergent Form.
Where is Rainbow Spirit Festival 2027?
At Colston Hill, 1755 Seymour-Tooborac Road, Glenaroua, Victoria 3764. It is a new site: the festival's long-time home was near Lexton, which it has not returned to.
How much are Rainbow Spirit tickets?
The final round of entry-and-camping tickets is A$420 plus a booking fee, sold on Humanitix through the official site (checked 20 October 2026). Earlier releases sold out. Kids under 12 are free. Each vehicle in the camping area needs a pass from A$40.
Is there a shuttle bus to Rainbow Spirit?
Yes. The official return shuttle costs A$120 plus a fee. It leaves Southern Cross, Melbourne, from 11am on Friday 5 March and returns from Tallarook from 11am on Monday 8 March, and includes car-free camping on arrival.
Is Rainbow Spirit the same as Rainbow Serpent?
Yes. Rainbow Serpent Festival, founded in 1998, was renamed Rainbow Spirit Festival in July 2023 over concerns about cultural appropriation.
What kind of music is at Rainbow Spirit Festival?
Multiple stages of the electronic music long associated with the festival, especially psytrance, alongside art installations, performances, workshops and a Kids Space.
Stay
Book somewhere to stay nearby
Find a bed close to Rainbow Spirit Festival in Lexton through our accommodation partner, Stay22.
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