Esoteric Festival in Victoria Cancelled at the Last Minute
It's a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events for thousands of festival-goers and organizers. The highly anticipated Esoteric Music Festival , set to take place in regional Victoria, has been abruptly cancelled—just hours before it was meant to begin.
This festival, which has been a staple of Victoria’s live music and tourism scene since 2017, was expected to bring over 11,000 people to the small town of Donald. But just as excitement was building, the festival was dealt a crushing blow: a last-minute decision by a municipal building surveyor to refuse a crucial permit.
Let’s break it down. The Buloke Shire Council had actually given the festival the green light earlier in the week, approving its permit after much deliberation. Everything seemed to be moving forward. But then, out of nowhere, the festival's Place of Public Entertainment Occupancy Permit (POPE-OP) was denied. And just like that, everything came crashing down.
A couple of thousand eager festival-goers had already made their way to the remote site, some waiting in line for over 10 hours , only to be told they wouldn’t be allowed in. Many had spent thousands of dollars on tickets, travel, and supplies, making the cancellation even more devastating.
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Festival director Sam Goldsmith didn’t hold back his frustration. Calling the situation "bureaucracy and politics gone mad," he said the refusal was stunning and completely unexpected . Goldsmith emphasized that every safety requirement had been met, and that multiple authorities—including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, and the Health Department—had all approved the event. Yet, despite overwhelming support, the permit was still denied on 33 different grounds.
Local businesses in Donald, which rely heavily on the festival’s annual economic boost, are now left in limbo. Since its inception, Esoteric Festival has injected more than $15 million into the region, supporting jobs and tourism. This abrupt cancellation means many local vendors and hospitality providers will suffer major financial losses.
In response, the Donald community has rallied together to help stranded festival-goers. Volunteers have opened public toilets and community spaces to provide some relief to those who had already made the journey. However, the disappointment and frustration remain heavy in the air.
As of now, the festival won’t be rescheduled until 2026 , leaving fans with an agonizing two-year wait. Organizers are urging ticket holders to hold onto their tickets for the next event, promising to come back stronger.
For those affected, this is more than just a missed event—it’s a gut-wrenching loss of an experience that was meant to bring people together.
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