The Hunter Valley is set to buzz with the sound of clippers and cheers as the iconic Mulletfest makes its triumphant return to its spiritual home this weekend. The festival, dedicated to celebrating Australia's most infamous hairstyle, will hold its eighth grand final at the Chelmsford Hotel in Kurri Kurri on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
More Than Just a Haircut: A Lifestyle and a Lifeline
What began as a light-hearted joke to put the mining village of Kurri Kurri on the map has blossomed into an international phenomenon. Founder Laura Johnson, known affectionately as the 'Mullet Queen', has always insisted the mullet is more than a haircut—it's a lifestyle. Now, nearly a decade in, that slogan has become a rallying cry for a diverse community of self-described larrikins, ratbags, and happy outcasts.
The event has evolved into a powerful force for inclusion and mental health support. Johnson, who has been open about her own struggles, created Mulletfest as a safe haven. "I think, for a lot of my life, I have really struggled with my mental health and my own self-acceptance," she shared. In an era she describes as a 'generation of loneliness', the festival offers a tangible place to belong, where smiles are contagious and no one feels unwelcome.
Party at the Back, Purpose at the Front
The raucous party, famously described as the 'Cathedral of Mulletdom', serves a serious purpose. The annual event is a major fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation, supporting brain cancer research. This year, Johnson has ensured the event remains accessible by keeping it free to enter.
A new 'wild card' entry system has been introduced for pre-registered contestants across all age and style categories, encouraging last-minute participants to shake out their locks and join the fun. The schedule kicks off with registrations at the Chelmsford Hotel at 12 noon on Saturday, with junior categories starting from 1pm. The day will be packed with live music, prizes, and giveaways, culminating in the winners being announced in the evening.
The Heart of the Hunter's Rebel Calendar
Mulletfest has become a cornerstone of the regional rebel calendar, touring pubs across the country before its grand finale in Kurri Kurri. For locals like Damon Allaway and finalists like Max Bakewell, who secured his spot in the February heats, it's a homecoming.
Johnson's passion is palpable, even during her day job in the family haulage business. She recounted a recent moment when an excavator driver stepped out with a magnificent mullet, prompting a joyful radio exchange and an invitation to the festival. It's these spontaneous connections that fuel the event's ethos of infectious inclusion.
As the mullets converge on Kurri Kurri once more, they carry with them the spirit of community, charity, and unapologetic self-expression. The Chelmsford Hotel is ready for another red-hot, hair-raising celebration where the business at the front is set aside, and the party in the back is just getting started.
