A Guide to Tasmania’s Upcoming Festival Programming
With cultural events catering to all tastes.
Widely known for its scenic landscapes and white-sand beaches, the island of Tasmania off the Australian coast is a small, slow haven for lovers of nature, food and history.
The island hosts a variety of distinctive festivals ranging from music and art to food and culture — making it the ultimate getaway for people looking to experience good weather and even better activations.
Adam Gibson
Lusy Productions
Dark Mofo Presents Winter 2024
Held in the middle of the Tasmanian winter, Dark Mofo celebrates the country’s dark days through art, food, music, fire, and much more.
Its illustrious Winter Feast returns this year for two weeks at Princes Wharf 1 on Hobart’s waterfront. As well as a surprise international guest chef, the event will showcase the best of the island’s food, wine, and spirits. Another winter festival highlight is Night Shift, featuring two nights of music programming that goes into the early hours of the winter solstice (June 21–22) — the longest night of any Australian capital city.
As well as increasing the capacity of its Nude Solstice Swim attendees, its art offering is a must-visit for this year’s Dark Mofo. Namedropping — a new exhibition at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) — sees the venue’s curators explore the human pursuit. Commemorating its debut, a highly exclusive Gala party is set to be held for its launch on June 14.
Dark Mofo Presents Winter 2024
June 13–23, 2024
Lusy Productions
Lusy Productions
Festival of Voices
Celebrating the power that music has in bringing people together, Festival of Voices is another of the island’s winter events launched nearly 20 years ago.
Inspired by the tradition of gathering around a fire, the festival has grown from the Big Sing Bonfire into a fully-fledged music program that is open to all and includes live music, workshops, and immersive entertainment with various genres.
Festival of Voices
June 28 – 7 July, 2024
Rosie Hastie
Rémi Chauvin
Beaker Street Festival
This week-long event, based around the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, gives visitors an eye-opening experience to explore the intersection of science and art. Boasting a selection of activations including guest speakers, photography exhibitions, astronomy dinners and dockside saunas, the event hosts themed spaces throughout various venues.
Beaker Street Festival
August 6–13, 2024
Rob Burnett
Festivale
Established in 1988, Festivale is an annual street party that celebrates Tasmania’s cultural diversity.
From music to art to produce, the event welcomes 30,000 visitors to Launceston’s City Park yearly, showcasing the best of what the island has to offer.
Festivale
January 31 – February 2, 2025
Party in the Paddock
Every February, festival goers flock to Quercus Park for the annual Party in the Paddock.
The four-day event is a must-visit for music lovers. While next year’s headliners are yet to be announced, the event usually features a star-studded line-up that includes local, regional, and global acts, supported by one of Australia’s main alternative music radio stations, Triple J.
Party in the Paddock
February 6–9, 2025
We Are Explorers
We Are Explorers
The Unconformity
Arriving in 2025, this biennial contemporary arts festival is located in the heart of Queenstown.
Held amongst rugged natural landscapes, the area is a post-industrial mining town in the western part of the island. Home to imposing mountain ranges, the sulfur-stained orange waters of the Queen River, and an infamous gravel football field.
The festival’s ethos is about looking at art from a different perspective in a unique backdrop and is slated to feature larger-than-life installations, guided tours, and a range of performances.
The Unconformity
October 2025
For more information on upcoming events in Tasmania, visit the official website.
