ORGANISERS of the popular Coffs Harbour Buskers Festival have decided to take a year off.
As a result, the first week of the October school holidays will see no buskers on the streets, parks, reserves, pubs and clubs for the first time since the Covid pandemic.
“We took a year off during Covid but apart from that we have run it nonstop every year since 2002, so by my calculation that’s 22 years,” said organiser John Logan.
“It would have to be one of Coffs’ longest running events.”
Despite its enduring popularity, the Buskers Festival has not been immune to the financial pressures being faced by festivals and events all over Australia.
While rising costs are a factor, John said his team could simply “benefit from a year off”.
“[We will] take time, sit back, look at new ideas, new options and spend a full year-and-a-half getting ready for 2026 and then come back reenergised.”
Acknowledging the potential disappointment in the community, John said there will be long term benefits of the break.
“I need some time off to travel and get some new ideas, time to find and work with new partners and sponsors, but I can’t do that chained to the desk, week in week out, all year round.
“We drag ourselves from one event to the next without a breather and this break will allow that to happen.
“There will still be some private events held that week and possibly an unbranded comedy show but they won’t be under the Buskers banner,” he added.
The Coffs Harbour Buskers Festival is set to return in 2026.
Anyone who has any enquiries can contact the John Logan Entertainment office on 02 6652 8266.
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