The mostly Camperdown-based festival was due to go ahead in just under two weeks but festival co-ordinator Catherine O'Flynn said plans were now for September.

A movie event in Darlington, music at Terang's Commercial Hotel and golf in Camperdown will still proceed in July.

The festival will offer a refund or deferral for about $6000 worth of tickets and postpone nine bands and five keynote speakers.

"It's particularly difficult for musicians who rely on performing as part of their livelihood," Ms O'Flynn said.

"We are very hopeful by September things will have settled and we will be able to put on a fine festival."

The festival was aware health restrictions for Melburnians could relax before the festival but Ms O'Flynn said there was too much risk to go ahead at short notice.

"We were confident we were running a COVID-safe event but we have no control over this insidious pandemic," Ms O'Flynn said.

"We are disappointed but hopeful. There is a wonderful team of people working really hard to bring it to fruition."

Festival chair John Menzies said the festival would be renamed "Burns' Bites" this year to reflect the series of events.

"It is hoped that supporters will be supportive and sympathetic of these changes which the organisers have been reluctant to make."

The festival last occurred in 2019 after the pandemic cancelled last year's events.

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