Catch the Sydney Swing Katz dance troupe and a huge range of Aussie rock ‘n’ roll artists at this year’s Crank It Up Festival. Photo: Crank It Up Festival Batemans Bay.
Are you ready for three massive days of vintage fashion, classic cars, live music and dance? This month marks the fifth iteration of Crank It Up Festival, a fun-filled celebration of all things rockabilly.
No less than 14 live bands will light up the Batemans Bay foreshore and local venues from 20 to 22 November. Expect a fresh take on 1950s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll from diverse, passionate musicians, including The B-Shakers, who have come all the way from Switzerland to headline their first Australia visit.
Also on the bill are the Sydney Swing Katz, Australia’s premier Charleston, swing, Lindy Hop, and rock ‘n’ roll dance troupe.
Face painting and jumping castles are on the cards for the kids, plus rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and swing dance classes for all experience levels. If you’re keen to laugh while you show off some leg power, join one of three Repco Garage Creeper Races on Saturday and Sunday.
Don’t miss the Late Nite DJ Party on Saturday at Oyster Cove Cocktail Bar, held right on the waterfront promenade from 11 pm until 2 am.
A great festival isn’t complete without great food. Local and interstate favourites will be in attendance, alongside a huge variety of retro market stalls selling new, handmade and pre-loved vintage fashion. Broulee Brewhouse has the 18+ crowd covered for drinks.
Classic pre-1979 cars are sure to wow the crowds as they cruise up the coastline. Friday drivers are set to travel from Corrigans to Bodalla on Friday morning, with The Poker Run from Bodalla to the Bay kicking off after lunch. Saturday afternoon brings the highly anticipated Ray White Town Cruise around the Batemans Bay CBD.
Old-school hot rods have long been a passion for Wayne Marshall. His pride and joy is a 1933 Ford coupe, rebuilt from scratch with a striking orange-and-gold facade.
“If you’re a vintage car lover living on the South Coast, this is the festival to be at,” Wayne says.
“I’m not a rock ‘n’ roller, but I keep coming back each year because the vibe is so fun. There’s a super social atmosphere that attracts all kinds of people, loads of unique cars to explore, great food, and music and dance all day.
“Crank It Up gets bigger and better every year. I can really see it turning into the South Coast equivalent of Cooly Rocks!”
There’s plenty to do and see on Sunday too, including a show-and-shine of more than 280 hot rods and a car cut-up by NSW Fire & Rescue.
Main stage will continue kicking off with The Rusty Mustangs and Rusty Pinto. Rusty Pinto has announced that Crank It Up will mark his final performance, so if you’ve never seen him before, this is your last chance.
Make sure to get dolled up in your most glamorous outfit – there are best-dressed awards and a beard & mo comp to get involved in. The 360-degree Crank It Up video booth will be ready to capture your style from every angle.
Ending the weekend on a high note is a free tiki-style afterparty at the Steampacket Hotel featuring Cherry Divine.
Organisers Leisa and Chris Tague launched Crank It Up in 2022 to attract people to Batemans Bay after the Black Summer bushfires. Since then, the couple’s little rock ‘n’ roll festival has grown into the biggest event of its kind for the area.
“Crank It Up is our way of giving back to our region and the community that we love,” Leisa says.
“The atmosphere is electric all weekend, and the community is very welcoming. People don’t expect such a unique blend of fashion, music, shopping, food, dance and cars.
“Crank It Up might be built around rockabilly, live music, badass cars and vintage style, but it has always been about something else too … celebrating our region and connecting great local businesses with the thousands of people who join us each year.”
Crank It Up Festival 2026 will be held on the Batemans Bay foreshore from 18 to 22 November. Entry is free! For the full program, visit Crank It Up Batemans Bay.
