What’s On In Hobart & Beyond This Winter
There’s no hiding from the cold in Tassie’s capital – you’ll find too much to do outside. Here's the best of what's on in Hobart this winter.
It would be easy to find your nearest cosy fire and become a bit of a hermit during the colder months in Tasmania, where it tends to get markedly icier than its mainland counterparts. However, the so-called “off season” sees Tassie come alive, particularly in the capital city of Hobart.
With Dark Mofo events, cultural festivals, a celebration of whisky, stargazing and snow sports to pick from, you’ll find there’s even more things to do in Hobart this winter than there is in summer!
So grab your puffer jacket and brave the chill, because we’ve rounded up what’s on in Hobart this winter.
Dark Mofo Winter Feast
While the full Dark Mofo festival is on a brief hiatus for 2024, some of the fest’s faves are still happening this year, like the Nude Solstice Swim and the City of Hobart Winter Feast. The Feast is running over two weeks, from Thursday 13th June at Princes Wharf near Salamanca Place. 75 stallholders will converge to offer up the best produce Tassie has to offer, while MONA’s chef Vince Trim will collab with guest chef Vaughan Mabee (from renowned NZ winery restaurant Amisfield) for a special feast of fire-roasted feral deer, abalone liver, deer blood caramel in a custom-built outdoor pavilion.
From $10 (season pass – access to all eight nights – $50 + booking fee)
Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th June and Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd June
Castray Esplanade, Hobart
Namedropping
Head to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) this winter to see its brand-new exhibition, Namedropping. Exploring the idea of status and fame, it asks the question: why are we drawn to certain objects and people? Part of the exhibition has already made headlines – MONA is hosting a series of exclusive listening sessions of selections of Wu Tang Clan’s album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin”. There is only one copy of this album that exists in the entire world, and it will be part of the Namedropping exhibition. Now that’s status.
From $15 (entry is free for Tasmanians)
Saturday 15th June to Monday 21st April 2025
655 Main Road, Berriedale
Tasmanian Whisky Week
Lovers of fermented grain mash – better known as whisky – will be all about Tasmanian Whisky Week. an annual celebration of that golden liquor.
Events will be popping up all over the state, from the Eastern Whisky Weekend held in St Mary’s on the east coast to the Northern Tasmanian Whisky Feast near Cradle Mountain. The week will culminate with a massive showcase of all things whisky, which we see stallholders converge on Princes Wharf on August 10th to offer tastings, exclusive releases, and more.
Prices vary dependent on eventPrices vary dependent on event
Monday 5th August to Saturday 10th August
Beaker Street Festival
An annual coming together of art and science, Hobart’s Beaker Street Festival is back for its eighth year. With art installations, photography exhibitions and prizes, field trips, keynote speakers, stargazing, guided walks, a feast at MONA, saunas, cold plunges and loads more, this year’s festival explores Antarctic science, stargazing, the science of wellness, and the future of food. There’s plenty of free and family-friendly events on the schedule, so head to the site to find out more.
Prices vary dependent on event
Tuesday 6th August to Tuesday 13th August
Hobart, Tasmania
Pixar Putt
Returning to Hobart for the second year in a row, Pixar Putt is a fun way to kill a few hours. The pop-up mini golf course features putt-putt holes inspired by all your favourite Pixar movies, like Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo and even the newest flick Inside Out 2. It’s not just for kids and families, either – on Thursday to Saturday nights it’s Pixar Putt After-Dark, an over-18s session with a pop-up bar.
From $19.90
Friday 5th July to Sunday 21st July
601 Brooker Highway, Glenorchy
Willie Smith’s Mid-winter Festival
Head to Willie Smith’s cidery for the last-ever Mid-winter Festival, toasting the winter season with a feast, hot cider and the ceremonial burning of Big Willie (a giant man made of straw). There’s live music, storytelling, activities for the kids, Morris dancing and even the Pagan tradition of wassailing the apple tree – thought to help encourage a bountiful growing season. As the last festival, organisers are promising the “biggest burn ever”.
From $40 + booking fee
Friday 12th and Saturday 13th July
22 Lollara Road, Grove
Skygazer at the Tasman Hotel
Luxury Hobart hotel The Tasman is offering up a unique experience this winter – the Skygazer package. Guests at the hotel can rug up, grab a camera, and head out with local photographer and “Aurora chaser” Luke O’Brien. With Tassie night skies offering up some of the best stargazing in the country this time of year, he’s taking guests out to the best spots for looking to the skies. You never know, you might even be lucky enough to spot (and snap) the Aurora Australis, a.k.a the Southern Lights. The ultimate bucket list moment for a Tasmanian off-season adventure.
From $450
Wednesday 1st May to Saturday 31st August
12 Murray Street, Hobart
Snow season
If you’re a card-carrying snow bunny, Tasmania has two ski fields – one within Ben Lomond National Park in the north of the state and Mount Mawson at Mount Field National Park, around 90 minutes drive from Hobart. There you’ll find 4km of ski and snowboard runs, three chair lifts and decent snowfall from July to September.
If you’d rather just walk in the snow rather than throw yourself down a slope, you’ll find Cradle Mountain dusted with the white stuff during the off-season. There’s literally nothing cuter than a snow-flecked wombat, which you’ll see plenty of as you hike around.
Festival of Voices
Since 2005, the Festival of Voices has popped up annually in Hobart to celebrate the transformative power of singing. There’s so much on, including concerts (from local artists to bigger names like Montaigne and Macy Gracy), workshops, singalongs, silent discos, trivia, kids’ events and the Big Sing at Princes Wharf. Whether you fancy giving your own pipes a workout or would rather just watch and enjoy, you’ll find an event at this festival that will warm your heart this winter.
Prices vary dependent on event
Sunday 23rd June to Sunday 7th July
Hobart, Tasmania
Agrarian Kitchen Stay, Tour & Dine
One of the most celebrated restaurants in Tasmania is throwing open its doors for an immersive experience just made for foodies. Partnering up with luxe accommodation The Tasman, from March until June guests can book an exclusive Stay, Tour & Dine experience – you’ll stay at the luxe Tasman Hotel in the city and can opt for a chauffeur to take you out to the Agrarian Kitchen, about 40 minutes away in New Norfolk.
Once there, you’ll be taken on a secret garden tour at the Agrarian Kitchen to learn all about the produce they grow and harvest on-site, get a copy of the Agrarian Kitchen Cookbook and enjoy lunch before heading back to your accommodation. The package includes a daily breakfast for two at The Tasman’s own renowned restaurant, Peppina (however, the lunch at the Agrarian Kitchen is not included in the room cost).
12 Murray Street, Hobart and 11a The Avenue, New Norfolk
Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery Exhibitions
Two new free exhibitions can be found at TMAG during winter. Art-wise, Lands of Light: Lloyd Rees and Tasmania celebrates the work of Lloyd Rees, one of the greatest landscape artists of the twentieth century, focusing particularly on the influence of Tasmania on his craft.
History buffs will love the new exhibition Unshackled: The True Convict Story, which explores the stories of those forced into the convict system and how they fought tirelessly against their oppressors. The exhibit combines traditional object-based museum presentation and digital media to give attendees a fascinating snapshot into Australia’s past.
Lands of Light: Lloyd Rees and Tasmania from Thursday 7th March to Sunday 27th October
Unshackled: The True Convict Story from Wednesday 13th March to Sunday 28th July
Dunn Place, Hobart
Loved our round-up of what's on in Hobart this summer? You'll also enjoy our guide to the best things to do in Hobart, plus the best bars, restaurants and cafes to explore around this magical city.
