Casey Donovan will lead thousands of voices in a rendition of My Island Home at this year’s Big Sing, kicking off the 2026 Festival of Voices on Hobart’s waterfront.
Donovan is best known for winning the second season of Australian Idol as 16-year-old, becoming the series’ youngest winner.
The free community singalong will take place on Friday July 3 with bonfires, live performances and food from local Tasmanian vendors.
Festival of Voices artistic director Shaun Rennie said the line-up should bring real energy to the opening event.
“Each year, The Big Sing creates a moment where everyone can be part of something bigger through song and this line-up brings incredible energy, talent and heart to that experience,” he said.
“I can’t wait to be amongst the crowd singing my heart out!”
Actor and broadcaster John O’Hara and TV presenter Gorgi Coghlan will host the evening.
The line-up also features Men in Suits, Queensland Show Choir, global beatboxing sensation Tom Thum, Pitches Be Crazy, Pop Choir and Tasmanian festival favourites Uncle Gus + the Rimshots.
Rennie said choosing My Island Home as the feature song reflected the festival’s focus on connection, identity and storytelling through music.
“It’s a song that resonates deeply with audiences across Australia and having Casey Donovan lead this moment will make it even more powerful,” he said.
The Big Sing started in 2005 as a community singalong and has since grown into one of Australia’s largest free singalong events, drawing thousands of participants each year.
“This year’s event will once again feature live performances, mass singalongs and a welcoming atmosphere, with food and drink available from local Tasmanian vendors and plenty of opportunities for audiences to join in or simply soak up the experience,” Rennie said.
The event is open to everyone, from first-timers to seasoned performers.
The broader Festival of Voices runs from July 3 to 12 with concerts, workshops, pop-up choirs and singalong events across Tasmania.
“The Big Sing remains a highlight of Tasmania’s winter cultural calendar and a defining expression of the festival’s mission to get all of Tasmania singing,” Rennie said.
Tickets and the full program are available online.
