Camping at Hinterland Music Festival isn’t required. Plenty of folks stay off-site and still have a great weekend. But after attending for the first time last year, camping quickly became our default. Not just for convenience, but because it’s where the festival quietly extends beyond the main stages. Late nights inside the campgrounds, especially around the Campfire Stage, became a defining part of how we experienced Hinterland. We can’t tell you how many times we heard “we should have been there” from people who missed out on the camping experience last year.
With the festival expanding to four days in 2026, those after-hours experiences are sure to be wilder than ever.
We’ve covered the full Hinterland Music Festival 2026 lineup, headliners, and logistics in our main preview. Now it’s time to take a look at the Campfire Stage!
The Campfire Stage at Hinterland 2026
Offering intimate performances and located inside the campgrounds, the Campfire Stage at the Hinterlands Music Festival has long been billed as “the festival after the festival.” Once the main stage winds down, the late-night lineup mixing indie rock, punk, and electronic sounds takes over. It’s one half after party, one half collective decompression after a long day.
This year’s Campfire Stage artists include Nourished by Time, Pixel Grip, Between Friends, Ninajirachi, The Brook & The Bluff, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Die Spitz, and Gouge Away. Anyone familiar with those names can appreciate the genre diversity coming to the Hinterlands campgrounds this year!
Familiar Faces, Different Setting
We’ve seen a few of these artists before and expect them to fit perfectly into the genre-diversity of late nights at Hinterland.
When we caught The Brook & The Bluff at Bonnaroo, their set quickly turned into a full-tent singalong. It was one of those moments where the crowd carried the music as much as the band. That kind of emotional, communal energy will translate naturally to the Hinterland campground setting.
On the other end of the spectrum there’s Die Spitz, whose live shows thrive on immediacy and physical release. Their performance at The Blue Room last year earned a spot on our Most Memorable Sets of 2025 list, and the Campfire Stage feels like the kind of environment where that intensity can hit even harder. Close, unfiltered, and surrounded by campers trying to release that final bit of energy before the end of the night.
An Opportunity To Dance
Last year, Rebecca Black’s DJ set felt unexpected for much of the Hinterland crowd, highlighting how uncommon EDM is at the festival. We’re happy to see EDM, even in a small dose, make its return in 2026.
Australian electronic DJ and producer Ninajirachi has built an international touring profile with appearances at festivals like Lollapalooza, EDC, and Laneway, along with tours alongside Porter Robinson and umru. She’s also featured on the track “Heaven” from Alison Wonderland’s Ghost World project, offering a clear entry point for listeners less familiar with her catalog.
Last year, the campgrounds also featured a late-night silent DJ activation, creating additional dance-forward moments beyond the Campfire Stage itself — something we’ll be watching for as more 2026 details are announced.
This Is Why We Camp At Hinterlands
We know many will prefer to sleep at a hotel or, if close enough, their own bed. But let us make our case for why you should camp at Hinterland.
Thanks to the Campfire Stage, the night doesn’t end when the headliners do. Silent discos, morning yoga, hammock hangouts, and campground trails exist alongside the music, but none of it feels mandatory. You do as much or as little as you want, knowing your tent is only a short walk away.
There’s no debate about whether to leave early to beat traffic, no worries about drinking and driving, and no extra schedule anxiety about getting there on time. (You can even go back to camp and take a nap!)
You can find out more about all of the camping options on the Hinterland website here. Please note that camping is sold separately from festival passes.
The Complete Hinterland Experience
We first came to Hinterland for the lineup. We camp for the convenience and because the weekend doesn’t end when the main stage goes dark. It’s not the only way to experience Hinterland, but it’s the one we’re looking forward to already!
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Photos from the 2025 Hinterland Music Festival Campfire Stage:
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