The City of Port Lincoln has confirmed the much-loved Tunarama Festival is set to make its long-awaited return in January 2026, promising a revitalised festival that captures the heart and soul of Port Lincoln.
With its rich history and iconic traditions, Tunarama has been a cornerstone of community spirit and regional pride for over 60 years. The 2026 festival will retain the key components that locals and visitors value, including the famous Tuna Toss, the vibrant street parade, and the popular fireworks display. Alongside these crowd favourites, the festival will embrace a renewed focus on Port Lincolnβs status as the Seafood Capital of Australia.
Mayor Diana Mislov said,
βThis is a truly exciting moment for our community. Tunarama has always been a celebration of our regionβs unique identity, and the 2026 festival will take that to the next level. By showcasing our incredible seafood industry, our diverse multicultural community, and our rich local produce, weβre creating an event that not only honours our past but also looks boldly to the future.β
The reimagined Tunarama will feature a feast of experiences, including:
- Seafood tastings and demonstrations
- Local wine and produce showcases
- Live music performances
- A range of family-friendly events
The festivalβs evolution will highlight Port Lincolnβs exceptional seafood heritage while fostering a spirit of inclusivity and fun.
In an exciting new chapter for the iconic event, the Council has appointed SRO Events, a leading professional event management company, to deliver the festivalβs reimagined vision. SRO Events brings a wealth of expertise in delivering high-quality, large-scale events and is committed to collaborating closely with the community to ensure Tunarama 2026 reflects the authentic spirit of Port Lincoln.
βWe are thrilled to partner with the City of Port Lincoln in bringing this iconic festival back to life,β said SRO Events Managing Director, Danielle Jones. βOur goal is to create an event that locals feel proud of, and visitors remember for years to come.β
Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival Update from 2023:
In July 2023 the Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival Inc. committee announced that after 60 successful Tunarama Festivals, the event wouldnβt be held in 2024 and that the committee itself would commence winding up.
Home to the world famous Tuna Toss, the Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival was held annually on the closest weekend to the Australia Day holiday in January. With a wide array of participation events, arts and cultural displays, local market stalls, and some of the freshest seafood in the world, there truly was always something for the whole family to enjoy.
We look forward to seeing the return of this fun-filled festival in 2026.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the City of Port Lincoln website.
What: Tunarama Festival
When: 16-18 January 2026
Where: Port Lincoln, South Australia
Who: Everyone
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: supplied
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