On Valentine’s Day 2015, more than a thousand musicians shared their love for ukes in Katoomba at the annual ukulele festival, entertaining crowds with 120 acts on nine stages throughout the picturesque town in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Performances were staged in the iconic Carrington Hotel’s Grand Dining Room, Grand Ballroom, Baroque Room, in the Old City Bank Bar, the Paragon Cafe, the Entertainment Centre and in a Marquee on Katoomba Street.

Listeners who’d never touched a ukulele before could learn the basics at a free beginner’s workshop at the Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival, and the more advanced could attend free classes on busking, recording and  how to stage music. That workshop was led by David Megarrity, who later reappeared in the brilliant musical duo Tyrone and Lesley – have a listen above!

The annual ukulele festival is organized by the Blue Mountains Ukulele Group – the Blue MUGs. Everyone is welcome. And if you have a song to share or a band you want to introduce, why not sign up to perform yourself! Get in touch with the organizers and stage your show before crowds of uke enthusiastic listeners.