Ignite your Off Season with a winter pilgrimage to Tasmania's stimulating south.
When the temperature drops, Hobart and the south warms up. This is where larger-than-life festivals and artistic installations spark to life. Inhale the southern chill and stoke your inner fire with Off Season festivities, experiences and events.
EAT
Fresh seafood, cool-climate wines, fungi-laden tunnels and abundant fruit orchards make southern Tasmania and Hobart in winter an unmissable food and drink destination.
An annual highlight on Tasmania’s foodie calendar, Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast, is one of the tastiest things to do in the city during winter.
The south of the state has a tantalising variety of fine dining restaurants, wine bars and cafes.
If you like your wines lo-fi, dining out is sure to be top of your things to do in Hobart. Pair your natty wine with dishes crafted by some of the state’s best chefs showcasing southern small-farm produce.
Find stillness by a glacial lake, sink into an outdoor hot tub under the stars or settle into heritage luxury in the heart of the city.
Winter in Tasmania’s south is a time for indulgence, where the crackle of a fireplace and the cool air pouring off Kunanyi / Mount Wellington makes for a perfect pairing.
Whether you need a secluded retreat or a lively night out in Hobartthe city offers a mix of wilderness and cultural things to do during winter, so you can choose to pause or party.
Sink into luxury in Salamanca with bustling nightlife on your doorstep, or head further south for infinite starry skies to ogle from your balcony.
Embrace the season's wild side with a jam-packed festival, events and tour season. The south comes alive in the winter, with thought-provoking art and places to dance, sing, sweat and explore.
Tasmania’s south is an open invitation to experience winter in its most exhilarating form.
Hop aboard the legendary Tassie tall ship, Lady Nelson, for a magical and hauntingly beautiful two-hour evening sail as we fully embrace the spirit of Dark Mofo.
Prepare for a symphony of "Oohs" and "Aahs" as our ship transforms into a dazzling RED marvel, and glides across Hobart's scenic harbour with the spectacle of the festival lights glowing as our backdrop!
Get hands-on by hauling a line, steering the ship, or simply lounging and soaking in the Tall Ship experience.
Cosy up with heartwarming soups and tasty sips, or bring your ownfeast and drinks!
Enjoy lively performances from local talents LCM Jazz Band (13th) & Clover Hitch (20th), guaranteed to get you clapping and swaying!
Saturday 21 June 2025 - Sunday 22 June 2025 (Annual) Miena
Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Tasmania at the first-ever Tasmanian Highlands Gathering. This festival is set to be a grand celebration of Gaelic, Celtic, and Scottish heritage, and we promise it's going to be a Highland extravaganza like no other! But why wait in the wings when you can be at the forefront of all the Highland action? Dust off your kilts, tune your bagpipes, and join us as we roll out the red carpet for the most passionate Highland enthusiasts. So, grab your dancing shoes, gather your friends, and help us make history at the inaugural Tasmanian Highlands Gathering.
A chance to celebrate all the Great Lake and surrounding charming country towns have to offer, including strong highland ties and tales, fishing, stunning vistas and waterways, fine arts, and entertainment, locally made whisky and pure highlands hospitality.
Planning to turn the Tasmanian Highlands Gathering into a weekend extravaganza? We've got the inside scoop on the best places to crash after a day filled with music, whisky, and Highland vibes! Our top picks for accommodation magic include Great Lake Hotel, Airbnb for that cozy home-away-from-home feel, the Great Western Tiers Visitors Centre for all the local gems, and the Central Highlands Visitors Centre for recommendations with a touch of charm or check out Stayz for some unique stays.
Thursday 5 June 2025 - Saturday 21 June 2025 (Annual) Hobart
Dark Mofo returns in full for 2025 with an ambitious art and music program, alongside Dark Mofo rituals Winter Feast, the Ogoh-Ogoh, Night Mass and the Nude Solstice Swim. Dark Mofo 2025 will take place from Thursday 5 to Sunday 15 June with the Swim baring all on Saturday 21 June.
Full program out now. Subscribe at darkmofo.net.au
Friday 27 June 2025 - Sunday 6 July 2025 (Annual) Hobart
Festival of Voices is Tasmania's ultimate winter singing celebration for all music lovers, with renowned performers, workshops, and participatory events.
Since its inception in 2005, Festival of Voices has celebrated the joy and wellbeing benefits of singing. What began as a small group of music lovers gathered around a fire in the depths of Tasmania's winter has grown to a 10-day festival featuring local, Australian, and international talent who compose, teach, perform and host our diverse event series. With choral, cabaret, classical, comedy, and contemporary, there's something for every music lover, whether you want to attend, learn, or participate!
Festival of Voices celebrates our arts industry and island home, expanding beyond its Hobart origins to offer events in many communities around the state.
Friday 11 July 2025 - Sunday 13 July 2025 (Annual) Nubeena
Lightwave is an annual winter arts festival celebrating ‘people and place’ across Turrakana Tasman Peninsula. Lightwave fosters community connection and collective warmth in the darkness of winter by taking the phenomenon of light as the catalyst for the festival’s multi-artform programme.
Lightwave presents three days of music and art events in and around Nubeena. The main event features live music, contemporary light-based art, delicious food, and community warmth and is a free, all ages community festival.
Full programme released early June 2025.
Friday 21 July 2023 - Sunday 20 August 2023 (Annual) Hobart
Presented by Hadley’s Orient Hotel, the Hadley’s Art Prize, Hobart is an acquisitive Australian landscape prize, which offers $100,000 to the winning entry.
Hadley’s Orient Hotel has a long history with art starting with art-loving landlords in the late 1800s. The Hadley’s Art Prize contributes to the art community, celebrates excellence in contemporary landscape art, promotes cultural tourism in Tasmania, and restores art to the historic walls of Hadley’s Orient Hotel through a landscape prize similar to the competition won by Howard Hadley in 1895.
Judged by a panel of art specialists, the prize is open to Australian artists over the age of eighteen working in two-dimensional media. Artists at all career stages are invited to enter.
Saturday 2 August 2025 - Sunday 10 August 2025 (Annual) Hobart
For one week, every year, we can get together and share our story and passion for whisky and spirits with people from around the world.
Celebrating the achievements and craft of Tasmanian distillers, Tasmanian Whisky Week is a celebration of the numerous Tasmanian distilleries, their spirits and whisky.
Seven days of events are held in the north and south of the state covering diverse and engaging consumer events.
Over 40 distilleries attending events over 20 events, culminating in the flagship event, The Tasmanian Spirit Showcase will be held at PW1, Hobart on Saturday, 9 August.
Tasmania is the whisky destination of Australia, and Tasmanian Whisky Week is the event to celebrate.
Friday 8 August 2025 - Friday 29 August 2025 (Annual) Hobart
Pink-glowing possums and bandicoots, green-glowing snails and wallabies, blue-glowing spiders and sugar gliders, technicolour owls, flowers, and fungi! Join biologist Dr Lisa Gershwin on this truly unforgettable nature experience, a short walk from Hobart's CBD.
Lisa will share the glowing world through fascinating stories and show you how to get great photos. You might even spot a platypus! Lisa will supply the ultraviolet (UV) torches and the natural history narrative, while nature will supply the wonder and awe.
Saturday 9 August 2025 - Sunday 10 August 2025 (Annual) Oatlands
The Heritage & Bullock Festival, is a two-day celebration that showcases the best of Oatlands' unique culture and history.
The Festival will be held the weekend of the 9 & 10th August, 2025.
The Heritage and Bullock Festival is a must attend event that celebrates and preserves our heritage. Immerse yourself into the rich tapestry of traditions, craft and culture. The street parade brings history and culture to life as it moves down High Street, with dynamic displays of music, dance, steam engines, vintage cars, machinery, trucks and of course the bullock display.
Tuesday 12 August 2025 - Tuesday 19 August 2025 (Annual) Hobart
Imagine a place where scientists grace centre stage, microscopes live on bar tables, and late-night conversations have the potential to change the world. Welcome to Beaker Street Festival, where science brings us together.
Beaker Street Festival is a week-long celebration of science in Lutruwita/Tasmania each August. Now approaching it’s ninth year, Beaker Street Festival promises a mix of wonder, flavour, and scientifically proven fun. The Festival invites adults from all walks of life to delve into today’s hottest topics with a packed program of science-infused entertainment and discussions, while experiencing the best of Tasmanian environments and culture.
Don your woolly socks and subscribe to the Off Season newsletter to be the first to know about Tasmania’s winter festivals, events and special offers.
This website stores cookies on your device
By continuing to use this website, you agree to the storage of necessary, statistical and marketing cookies. By accepting cookies, we can provide you with content recommendations based on your interests. By declining, only necessary cookies for the website to function will be enabled. Learn more here.
