What’s On in Hobart This Month: Your December Guide
Summer has arrived in Tassie’s capital, and there's plenty to do! Make the most of the sunshine and discover what's on in Hobart this month.
While it may be a little too easy to find your nearest cosy fire and become a hermit during the colder months in Tasmania, summer has officially arrived, bringing extended hours of sunshine and a busy calendar of events in Tassie's capital to draw us out of our homes.
With culinary events, NYE parties, markets and comedy shows to pick from, you’ll find more happening in Hobart this spring than ever!
So get ready to head outdoors and embrace the sunny days, because we’ve rounded up what’s on in Hobart this month.
What's On in Hobart This Month: Festivals, Arts & Culture
The War on 2024: Annual Comedy Gala at Theatre Royal
On a mission to prove we can still laugh at politics, current events and culture, the Annual Comedy Gala has become a national treasure, providing an evening of satire and stand-up comedy that will encourage several belly laughs. Join Mark Humphries, Veronica Milsom, Charles Firth and James Schloeffel for one night only at the Royal Theatre in Hobart.
Wednesday, December 11th
The Royal Theatre, Corner of Campbell and Collins Street, Hobart
Namedropping
Head to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) to see its exhibition, Namedropping. Exploring the idea of status and fame, it asks: Why are we drawn to certain objects and people? Part of the exhibition has 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 in the world, and it is 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
Geeveston Twilight Festival
A monthly event embodying community spirit and delicious food, Hobart’s Geevestone Twilight Feast returns on the first Thursday in December. Less than an hour from Hobart, visit Geeveston to discover local food trucks covering every type of cuisine, wine by the bottle and the friendliest ambience imaginable.
December 5th
15 Church Street, Geeveston
What's On in Hobart This Month: Activity & Getaway
NYE In the Hanging Garden
Locals know that In The Hanging Garden is the beer garden to end all beer gardens, with greenery abound and a great food offering to boot, and for this reason, it's a banging spot to see out 2024 and welcome 2025.
Sprawling over almost an entire block in the centre of Hobart yet hidden away from street view, the precinct spans several spaces and offers delicious food and drink options. This NYE, make your way to the Cathedral, where DJs will curate the perfect playlist to get the dancefloor pumping and ready to count down to the New Year. See you soon, 2025!
December 31st, buy tickets online for guaranteed entry, or purchase at the door (subject to capacity).
112 Murray Street, Hobart
2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
An icon of Australian summer sport, the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is a 628 nautical blue water challenge, with the multi-day journey coming to a close in Hobart's Constitution Dock. Now in its 79th year, this highly-anticipated event captures the nation, gaining as much attention as the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup and Boxing Day Test.
Competitors - a mix of world-class sailors and budding amateurs - set sail from Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, and sail over several days to be the first to glide into welcoming cheers in Hobart. The best vantage point to watch the yachts sail towards the finish line is Battery Point, and the waterfront hosts a reception to celebrate the event.
Yachts begin to arrive in Hobart from December 28th to early January, depending on conditions.
Doggy Christmas Party at Wobbly Boot
Do you have a doggo that deserves to be spoiled this Christmas? Treat yourself and your four-legged best bud to an afternoon of delicious food, raffles, live music and prizes for the best-dressed dog at the annual Doggo Christmas Party at the proudly dog-friendly Wobby Boot Vineyard.
Now in its 10th year, this much-loved event celebrates our pooches and supports the work of Small Paws Animal Rescue. It's a win-win!
The entry fee is a donation of a pet supply item.
December 15th, 12 pm - 4 pm
16 Murtons Road, Otago
Wheel & Wine at Glazed and Confused
Say you're looking to gain a new skill, seeking a creative outlet or trying to find a unique way to catch up with a friend, the team at Glazed and Confused has you covered with their Wheel and Wine class.
Enjoy a glass of wine as you learn the basics of pottery making, where participants are welcome to throw as many pieces on the wheel as they wish over 2 hours. Your 2 best pieces will be glazed, fired and ready for pickup a few weeks later!
Multiple dates in December, see schedule and book here.
52b Bathurst Street, Hobart
Piatti Invernali Cooking Classes
Unleash your inner Masterchef with Piatti Invernali, where you’ll dive into the heart of traditional Italian cooking. These hands-on classes will have you mastering classic Italian dishes, from hearty pasta and pizza to flavourful risottos.
Perfect for spicing up your culinary skills, these classes offer a delicious way to bring a taste of Italy into your home.
From $275 per person
Classes running on the 7th, 8th, and 14th of December
The Farmhouse Kitchen Tasmania, 292 Sunday Hill Road, Wattle Grove
What's On in Hobart This Month: Shopping & Markets
Hobart Twilight Market
Live music, food vans, art and design stalls at Sandy Bay overlooking Long Beach in the twilight – does a market in Hobart get any better than this? Hobart Twilight Market is a great little stop on select Friday evenings for a bite to eat amid a convivial village atmosphere, lapping up the buzz of a balmy summer evening in Tassie.
4:30 pm - 9.00 pm, December 6th and 13th
17 Beach Road, Lower Sandy Bay
Vinyl Market
Everyone's favourite local, In The Hanging Garden, is once again hosting a Vinyl Market in the Cathedral. A haven for music lovers, this is your chance to browse over 3000 collectable vinyls from Music Without Frontiers - some records stored away for decades.
The fun kicks off at 9 am with coffee and breakfast bites, and the market will be open for business from 10 am. Covering all genres from jazz and classical to pop and rock, give yourself time to browse the impressive collection.
Sunday, December 8th, 9 am - 2 pm
112 Murray Street, Hobart
Salamanca Market
A stroll through this long-running market is the perfect weekend activity in Hobart, and this month, it's a very Merry market indeed. Salamanca Market has been around for over 50 years, and in that time it’s grown to include over 300 stallholders, encompassing local goods from records and woodwork stalls to Leatherwood honey and whisky producers that make great gifts this Christmas.
So central you can shuffle straight from one of Hobart’s many fabulous cafes into another excellent coffee and a Lady Hester sourdough donut.
8:30 am - 3.00 pm, Saturdays
Salamanca Place, Hobart
What's On in Hobart This Month: Food & Drink
Tasmania's Taste of Summer
Celebrate the world-class produce of Tasmania over a week with Tasmania's Taste of Summer. The perfect excuse to enjoy an afternoon by the waterfront, this brilliant event brings together the best of the best, with the finest artisans and makers proudly showcasing their bounty.
A Hobart staple for almost 40 years, this is the kind of culinary celebration that makes you proud to be Tasmanian and gives visitors a look into the rich history and culture of the state - all with live entertainment and serene surroundings to seal the deal.
Saturday, December 28th - Saturday, January 4th.
Open from midday, daily.
Princes Wharf No. 1, Hobart
Street Eats Franko
High energy and good vibes can be found at this inner-city night market, returning this December for an evening of live music, delicious drinks and street eats. At Street Eats Franko, it's all about celebrating everything that makes Tasmania so special, so expect the freshest produce and ingredients sourced from the state, from bites to brews.
A diverse range of food stalls covers most cuisines from Filipino to Vietnamese, the distilled drinks are served cold, and the rotating musical acts keep the party going into the evening.
Friday, December 6th
Franklin Square, 70 Macquarie Street, Hobart
Did you love our round-up of what's on in Hobart this month? You'll also enjoy our guide to the best things to do in Hobart, plus the best restaurants and cafes to explore around this magical city.
