Tasmania’s east coast is set to come alive once again as ECHO Festival announces its return for 2026, with a new theme celebrating the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
The launch was opened by Tourism Minister Jane Howlett and featured a blindfolded sensory activity that tested senses and received laughs from around the room.
Howlett highlighted the festival’s importance to regional tourism at the launch.
“Events are great at bringing new people into regional areas and ECHO celebrates all of the wonderful things that the east coast has to offer,” Howlett said.
The festival will run from 13 to 15 March 2026, fresh from receiving Silver in the Festivals and Events category at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards.
Next year’s theme, “Layers: Woven in Time”, explores the cultural, ecological and personal elements that have shaped Tasmania’s east coast, honouring Aboriginal knowledge and generations of coastal life.
Festival Director Ange Boxall said the theme reflects ECHO’s core values.
“ECHO has always been rooted in connection to place, to creativity and to the remarkable people who call the east coast home,” Boxall said.
“Layers: Woven in Time invites us to explore the threads that hold our stories together, from ancient knowledge to the beauty of everyday life.”
The 2026 program features unique hands-on experiences including traditional ironwork led by Jamie “The Sausageman” Bishop in a 200-year-old forge, and woodworking workshops guided by the Wonderful Women Working with Wood using rare submerged Tasmanian timbers.
Pakana shell stringer Melissa West will lead a cultural learning space offering bush crowns, shell crafts and creative learning connected to Country.
The music lineup brings together diverse Tasmanian and interstate talent including Yirrmal, A Piano of Tasmania, FFLORA x Grace Chia, Lennon Wells, Ben Mastwyk and The Energy.
East Coast Tourism Tasmania Chair Jen Fry described how regional events inspire return visits.
“Attendees at regional events dip their toes in our water and they’re like, oh yes we’re coming back, we’re bringing our children.”
“That inspiration is really important part of what events do for our regional economies” Fry said.
Tickets for the 2026 ECHO Festival are now available via the festival website.
