The Australian Festival of Chamber Music has taken out the award for best event at the prestigious Limelight Awards, for the second time.

The local festival took out the top prize over five world-class events, including the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra: Schumann Festival.

AFCM chairwoman Jennifer Bott accepted the award on behalf of artistic director Piers Lane at the Sydney Opera House.

"This award has caused me to reflect on what a quintessentially Australian event our festival is and how special Townsville is," she said.

"Home to two national football teams, the V8s, the army, mining industry exports, JCU and the largest chamber music festival in the southern hemisphere."

Artistic director Piers Lane said he was overwhelmed by the win and hoped it would continue to be supported by the Townsville community into the future.