Winter in Tasmania hits differently, and Tasmanians know it best. While the mainland layers up and stays in, the island shifts into one of its best seasons.
Mist rolls through the valleys, fires get lit a little earlier and the events calendar quietly fills with some of the most interesting things happening all year.
There are solstice cruises on the Gordon, forage festivals in the Tarkine, pottery workshops, night trail runs and cellar doors built for long afternoons.
Tourism Tasmania calls it the Off Season. These are 25 reasons to experience it for yourself, in partnership with Tourism Tasmania.
East Coast
St Marys Winter Lights Festival – Saturday, June 20
A nostalgic winter ritual with just the right amount of spectacle, St Marys Winter Lights transforms this east coast town into a flickering playground of fire, lanterns and community energy.
Expect hands-on workshops and family-friendly moments by day, before things shift after dark with glowing installations and roaming performers. It is the kind of event that feels both hyper-local and quietly magical, offering a warm, welcoming way to lean into Tasmania’s Off Season.
Yoga Retreat, Freycinet Tasmania – Friday 19-Sunday, June 22
Set against Freycinet’s striking coastal backdrop, this retreat is designed as a full-body reset. Days are anchored by guided yoga, meditation and nourishing meals, with plenty of space to slow down and absorb the surrounding landscape.
It is intentionally intimate, favouring thoughtful programming over packed schedules and encourages a deeper connection to both place and self. Expect sunrise sessions, restorative afternoons and a sense of calm that lingers well beyond checkout, making it a considered escape for those craving stillness with a view.
Bicheno Beams – Saturday, June 27 – Saturday, July 25
As night settles over Tasmania’s east coast, Bicheno Beams transforms a coastal park into a vivid, after-dark experience. Through a dynamic mix of light, sound and projection, the show brings the landscape to life with bursts of colour and playful storytelling.
It is bold, engaging and designed to delight, delivering plenty of wow moments against the backdrop of the sea. Pair it with a seaside dinner or evening wander and it becomes an easy highlight of a winter night in Bicheno.
Hobart & South
Kunanyi Trail Series – Sunday, June 21
For those who like their adventures with a side of altitude, the Kunanyi Trail Series delivers a high-impact way to experience Hobart’s backyard. Courses wind through forested trails and exposed ridgelines, pairing physical challenge with sweeping views across the city and beyond.
With distances suited to a range of abilities, it is as welcoming as it is rewarding. More than just a run, it is an immersive encounter with the landscape, one that swaps pavement for raw terrain and finishes with a serious sense of achievement.
The Lark | By Daniel Keene at Theatre Royal – Thursday, August 20 – Saturday, August 22
Staged inside the heritage Theatre Royal, The Lark offers a quietly powerful take on contemporary storytelling. Starring Noni Hazlehurst, Daniel Keene’s work leans into restraint, allowing emotion and nuance to take centre stage over spectacle.
The result is intimate, reflective and deeply human theatre that invites you to lean in. It is the kind of production that lingers, prompting reflection long after the final scene and rewarding audiences who appreciate thoughtful, stripped-back performance.
Beaker Street Festival 2026 – Thursday August 6 – Monday, August 17
Hobart’s winter calendar gets a cerebral edge with Beaker Street Festival, a multi-day celebration where science, art and culture intersect. Expect talks, experiments, performances and late-night events that unfold across some of the city’s most interesting venues.
It is playful but smart, designed to spark curiosity as much as conversation. From immersive installations to hands-on experiences, the program invites you to engage with big ideas in accessible ways for the festival’s 10-year anniversary edition. Equal parts festival and thought experiment, it brings a different kind of energy to the season.
Restoring the Past at TMAG – Friday, February 6 – Sunday, May 31
Offering a rare behind-the-scenes perspective, Restoring the Past at TMAG invites visitors into the meticulous world of conservation. Set within Hobart’s Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the experience highlights the delicate processes involved in preserving the state’s cultural and historical artefacts.
It is quietly fascinating, revealing the care and expertise required to protect fragile collections for future generations. Ideal for those drawn to history, craftsmanship and detail, it transforms museum-going into something more intimate and engaging.
Run the Dark: Knockers Solstice Trail Run – Sunday, June 21
A night run with a difference, Run the Dark invites participants to take on rugged trails under the cover of darkness. Set around the Knocklofty Reserve, the course combines uneven terrain with the added challenge of limited light, creating an experience that is equal parts exhilarating and immersive.
Headlamps cut through the dark as runners move through bushland, building a strong sense of camaraderie along the way. It is less about pace and more about atmosphere, offering a memorable way to mark the winter solstice.
Geeveston FEAST – Thursday, June 4
A true celebration of the Huon Valley’s produce and community, the monthly Geeveston FEAST brings together local growers, makers and cooks for an evening of seasonal indulgence. Expect generous plates, fresh flavours and a strong paddock-to-plate ethos.
There is a relaxed, welcoming energy to the event, with live music and shared tables encouraging visitors to linger. This grounded, authentic food festival highlights the richness of the far-south region without losing its sense of place.
Leap and Wander Studio, pottery workshops – Every Saturday
Tucked into Tasmania’s creative landscape, Leap and Wander Studio offers pottery workshops that feel both grounding and quietly indulgent. Guided sessions focus on technique while still allowing space for experimentation, making them accessible to beginners and rewarding for those with experience.
The pace is deliberately unhurried, encouraging participants to settle into the process and connect with the material. It is a tactile, mindful experience that pairs creativity with calm, offering a satisfying alternative to more fast-paced winter activities.
Launceston & North
Island Escape Winter Festival – Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5
Launceston’s Inveresk Precinct becomes a glowing hub of winter activity for this new multi-day festival blending food, music and fire-lit atmosphere. Expect a curated lineup of local producers, live performances and immersive installations, all designed to celebrate the season rather than escape it.
Winter’ atmospheric darkness sets the scene for warming mulled drinks, hearty shared plates and late-night wanderings under lights. Family-friendly by day and more elevated by night, it is a polished, high-energy take on Tasmania’s winter festival scene.
Solstice in the Square – Friday, June 19
Marking the longest night of the year, Solstice in the Square offers an intimate, community-led celebration of winter. Set within George Town’s historical Regent Square, the evening unfolds with live music, warming food and the glow of open fires.
It is low-key but deeply atmospheric, trading large-scale spectacle for something more personal and connected. Designed for gathering rather than rushing, it invites visitors to slow down, rug up and settle into the rhythm of the season in a setting that feels both welcoming and quietly memorable.
Clothing Upcycling Cutting with Courage – Aujke Boonstra – Ross Tasmania – Saturday, June 20 – Sunday, June 21
A creative workshop with a sustainable edge, Cutting with Courage invites participants to rethink their relationship with clothing. Guided by designer Aujke Boonstra, the session encourages bold, intuitive alterations, cutting, reshaping and reimagining garments into something new.
It is less about perfection and more about experimentation, offering a relaxed space to explore personal style while reducing waste. Expect a hands-on, collaborative atmosphere and the satisfaction of walking away with a piece that feels entirely your own in Georgian motel Riverview at Ross.
World Street Eats – last Sunday of the month
A vibrant celebration of global flavours, World Street Eats brings together a diverse lineup of food vendors in lively Civic Square. Expect everything from bold, spice-driven dishes to comforting classics, all designed for easy grazing and sharing.
The atmosphere is energetic with music and movement adding to the experience. It is the kind of event that invites you to try a little of everything, offering a casual but flavour-packed way to eat your way around the world without leaving Tasmania.
Soft Pastel Drawing Group – Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 24
A relaxed and creative gathering in Campbell Town’s Harmony on High Street Gallery, the Soft Pastel Drawing Group offers an inviting space to explore art at your own pace. Sessions are informal and welcoming, encouraging experimentation with colour, texture and technique in a supportive environment.
Whether you are a complete beginner or returning to drawing after time away, the focus is on process rather than outcome. It is a gentle, social way to engage with creativity, making it an appealing addition to Tasmania’s quieter winter offerings.
Winter Wonderland – Art Exhibition – Friday, April 3 – Wednesday, June 3
Celebrating the season through a creative lens, the Winter Wonderland Art Exhibition at Harmony on High Street Gallery brings together about 40 works that reflect the mood and texture of Tasmania’s colder months. Expect a mix of styles and mediums, with pieces that range from atmospheric to quietly playful.
The exhibition offers a chance to slow down and engage with local artistic talent in an accessible setting. It is a contemplative cultural experience that pairs well with a winter afternoon, inviting visitors to linger and look a little closer.
Basket Making – Beginners Coiling and Knotless Netting -Ross Tasmania – Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, June 28
Rooted in tradition and technique, this hands-on workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of basket making. Focusing on coiling and knotless netting, the session blends practical skill-building with an appreciation for slow craft.
It is tactile and immersive, encouraging a connection to materials and process in a warm, welcoming space. Suitable for beginners, this workshop held at Riverview at Ross pairs helpful guidance with creative freedom, resulting in a satisfying finished piece.
North West
Permission to Trespass – Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 12
Blurring the line between art, landscape and exploration, Permission to Trespass opens up Tasmania’s north-west in unexpected ways. Through a series of site-specific installations and guided experiences, visitors are invited into what are typically private properties across Wynyard and Table Cape, rarely accessed by the public.
The result is a collage of auditory light shows, pub choirs and other immersive experiences, encouraging a deeper connection to place and story. It is a layered journey that rewards curiosity, time and a willingness to see the region from a different perspective.
Stanley and Tarkine Forage Festival – Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17
A celebration of north-west Tasmania’s wild and cultivated bounty, the Forage Festival brings together chefs, producers and foragers for a weekend of immersive dining and regional storytelling.
Set against the dramatic landscapes of Takayna / Tarkine and Stanley, the program highlights hyper-local ingredients, from fresh seafood to native botanicals, through curated experiences and long-table street feasts.It is grounded in place and season, offering waste-curbing kitchen scrap workshops, mushroom-growing classes and more.
Vines and Caves – Exploring the Valley – Friday, May 22
Pairing cool-climate wines with Tasmania’s underground landscapes, Vines and Caves offers a tasting experience that feels both unexpected and immersive. Moving between Leven Valley Vineyard and Gunns Plains Caves, the event explores the relationship between terroir, texture and place.
It is intimate by design, favouring small groups and curated moments by the fire with a sparkling in hand and platters of local produce. Expect thoughtful pours, atmospheric surrounds and a sense of discovery that extends beyond the glass, deep into otherwordly underground realms.
Devonport Jazz 2026 – Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26
Devonport Jazz returns with a program that brings warmth and rhythm to Tasmania’s north coast. Spanning multiple city venues, the festival showcases a mix of local and visiting artists across intimate performances and larger-scale shows.
Expect everything from smooth, late-night sets to more upbeat, contemporary interpretations of the genre. There is an easy sophistication to the event, making it as appealing to dedicated jazz fans as it is to casual listeners looking for a refined night out.
Steam Train rides at Sheffield Steam and Heritage Society – Open to the Public on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month.
Offering a nostalgic journey through Tasmania’s transport heritage, these steam train rides capture the romance of a slower era. Operated by the Sheffield Steam and Heritage Society, the experience pairs lovingly restored locomotives with scenic rural surrounds.
It is as much about the journey as the destination, with the rhythm and sound of the train adding to its charm. Ideal for families and enthusiasts alike, it delivers a simple but memorable way to connect with the state’s rail history.
West Coast
Weindorfer Festival – Sunday, May 3
Set within the alpine surrounds of Cradle Mountain, the Weindorfer Festival celebrates the legacy of historic botanist Gustav Weindorfer and his vision for the national park.
The program blends guided walks, storytelling, music and heritage experiences, all framed by one of Tasmania’s most iconic landscapes – with a chance of Off Season snow. It is equal parts reflective and immersive, offering insight into the area’s history while encouraging visitors to engage with its natural beauty.
Light up the West – Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 28
Across Tasmania’s rugged West Coast, winter becomes a reason to gather rather than retreat. Light Up the West weaves together light installations, fireside events and live music across remote historical towns including Strahan.
The setting is raw and dramatic and the programming leans into that edge with buzzing winter swims, installations and communal dinners. It is a celebration shaped as much by landscape as it is by community, offering a distinctly regional take on winter festivities.
Solstice Cruise – Friday, June 19
A slower, more reflective way to mark the winter solstice, this World Heritage Cruises journey offers front-row access to Tasmania’s enchanting Gordon River. As day fades into night, passengers are carried across calm waters beneath darkening skies.
With crisp air, expansive views, entertainment and great food and drink, it is a memorable way to embrace the longest night of the year and stave off winter’s chill.
