The ultimate guide to Tasmania’s winter festivals
Don’t waste your winter weekends. From singalongs to late-night feasts and big festival moments, here’s how to make the most of Tasmania’s winter festival season.
COME TOGETHER IN SONG
When writing about Tasmania’s winter festivals, it makes sense to start with the one that came first. The Festival of Voices has long been luring us out of our cosy homes to come together in song at venues inside and outside across the island.
“It’s Australia’s premier festival celebrating all things singing,” explains Shaun Rennie, the Artistic Director of Festival of Voices. “It’s also Tasmania’s oldest winter festival – we’re turning 21 this year.”
Shaun is new to the role this year, having previously been Associate Director of Opera Australia (so he knows a bit about voices). He encourages everyone to get involved.
“Festival of Voices is for everyone, from a professional choral singer to a shower singer, or someone who sings in the car. It’s for kids and grandparents.”
The festival is going from strength to strength, says Shaun, and even if you think you can’t sing, you’ll have a great time.
“Everyone is a singer!” he says reassuringly. “It’s good for our minds, our hearts, our community, coming together to lift our voices up together.”
ONE FOR THE READERS AND WRITERS
28 May–1 June, Hobart
In a UNESCO City of Literature like Hobart, something has been missing: it’s been a few years since Hobart hosted a full writers festival program.
Thankfully that changes this year, with the inaugural Island Readers and Writers Festival (presented by Island magazine) bringing us an exciting program.
Featuring local writers like Heather Rose, Johanna Bell and Kate Krumink as well as visitors like Hannah Kent, Evelyn Araluen and Shaun Tan, the festival is made up of panels, workshops, conversations, live reads and a schools program.
This festival will spark some epic conversations. Big topics covered include ‘What is a Tasmanian Story? (with Amanda Lohrey, Kate Kruimink, Tony Thorne and Robbie Arnott, hosted by Danielle Wood) and ‘Secrets and Lies: Finding the Truth when History Hides it’ (With Julie Janson and Keely Jobe, hosted by Neika Lehman).
There is a workshop on crime writing, others on publishing and the business side of writing. There are community-building conversations for readers and writers alike, and of course there’s ‘The Great Debate – Only Literature Can Save Us’ (with Keely Jobe, Margaret Merilees, Cadance Bell, Tim Loveday, Michael Winkler and Evelyn Araluen, hosted by Jane Rawson).
A CHOCAHOLIC’S DREAM
Theobroma, the genus name for the cacao plant, translates to “food of the gods”. So it makes sense that there is a festival celebrating this finest of foods. And since the small town of Latrobe (population almost 5000, just a 10-minute drive from Devonport) has not one but two chocolate manufacturers (Anvers and Rhuby Delights), it makes perfect sense that that is where Chocolate Winterfest is held.
This year you’ll have your choice of the expected (tastings, demonstrations, workshops) to the perhaps surprising – last year there was a wearable art show with chocolate-inspired fashion, chocolate chess and bingo, and a chocolate book display.
There are also chocolate cocktails to wash down chilli chocolate sausages, and a hop-on-hop-off festival shuffle bus will help with getting to and fro.
LEAN INTO THE DARK
Say the words ‘Tasmania’ and ‘winter festival’ and many people would think of Dark Mofo immediately. The festival that truly put a celebration of Tasmania’s deepest winter moments on the map for mainlanders and beyond is back with another full program this year.
“Dark Mofo draws on this need we have here to come together in the darkest and coldest parts of winter,” explains Chris Twite, Artistic Director of Dark Mofo. “Tasmanians and visitors alike can gather around fire and share stories.”
After taking a break in 2024, Dark Mofo returned in 2025 and now 2026 with a vengeance. Ticket sales this year broke records – more than 45,000 sold in five hours – and many events sold out almost immediately (Solstice Swim, Night Mass, Ninajirachi, Miss Kaninna).
As always with Dark Mofo, the headline events will be huge but there are a thousand ways to enjoy the festival in your own way. Whether it’s writing your fears on scraps of paper and watching them burn at the Ogah-Ogah (this year it’ll be the burning belly of a Pedra Branca skink), taking your time choosing the most interesting meal (and dessert) at the Winter Feast or running amok in the free Dark Park art precinct, Chris agrees there’s no right or wrong way to do Dark Mofo.
“There is so much I get excited about every year it’d be unfair to have a favourite, but I will say that this year the Winter Feast is going to be spectacular,” he says. “Night Mass, of course, just has to be seen to be believed, and for the first time we take art onto the sea as well as land. We’re taking over Spirit V – that will be memorable.”
The new Spirit of Tasmania V will be moored alongside MAC02 as part of Dark Park, with sculptures and huge video works taking over the freight decks.
There’s also a decent Launceston program and a special part of the festival taking place in a small undisclosed Tasmanian town.
“It is an incredible time to be out in Tasmania,” says Chris. “Just that one moment, mid-winter, it’s our time to come out and celebrate our sense of community. Know that you’re in a special place and it’s a really great time.”
Festival of Voices
3-12 July, statewide
A festival that aims to get everyone singing, even those who think they can’t.
Island Readers and Writers Festival
28 May–1 June, Nipaluna/Hobart
Conversations, debate, workshops and more for readers and writers in Hobart, a City of Literature.
Chocolate Winterfest
9 August, Latrobe
Tastings, makings, art and games, all with a chocolate flavour.
Dark Mofo
11-22 June, statewide
A celebration of light and dark and everything in between, focused on the solstice, with family-friendly events and some that are definitely just for very brave grown-ups.
