Savannah in the Round, the October weekend festival which lights up Mareeba, has been nominated for Festival of the Year at the 2026 Countrytown Awards.

The music awards list of nominees across 10 categories were announced last week, with voting now open until March 1.

Finalists will be announced on March 16 and the awards staged on March 19 in Brisbane.

“Well this is a nice way to start the year! Savannah in the Round has been nominated for Festival of the Year at the 2026 Countrytown Awards and now it’s over to the people (you!) who know it best,’’ the Savannah team posted last week.

“If Savannah has ever felt like your October ritual, this one’s for you. We need your vote.’’

Organisers of Savannah in the Round, also the presenters of the man attraction of Port Douglas' Carnivale, Savannah Sounds, said the nomination was a great indicator the festival hits the mark with fans.

“Being named a finalist for Festival of the Year by Countrytown is a huge honour for everyone involved in Savannah in the Round,” festival director James Dein said. 

“To have Zac Brown Band take to the stage in a regional location like Mareeba was something truly special, and to see that recognised at a national level, following on from our recent success at the Queensland Tourism Awards where we took home a Silver award for Major Festivals and Events, is something we are incredibly proud of.

“It reflects not only the calibre of artists we bring to Mareeba, but the crews, volunteers and the people who continue to make the journey to be part of Savannah each year.

“Independent research shows almost 87 per cent of attendees travelled from outside the Mareeba Shire, which really demonstrates how strongly people connect with this event and how willing they are to travel to be part of the Savannah experience.”

Savannah in the Round is up against festivals from across the country including: The Bend Classic, CMC Rocks, Deni Ute Muster, Howlin’ Country, Groundwater Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Ridin’ Hearts, Strummingbird and the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival.

After the inaugural year in 2025, the Countrytown Awards have returned for 2026.

Public voting across 10 categories will determine the year’s biggest achievers in country music.

The 2026 nominations are led by Hayley Jensen with a massive five nods, with James Johnston, Lane Pittman, Max Jackson, Wade Forster and The Wolfe Brothers hot on her heels with four each.