June

4 Imagine winter in the harsh early days of the colony with Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls tour at the Cascades Female Factory. Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, 1pm.

5 Celebrate Global Running Day with a friendly 5km starting at the LuluLemon Hobart store at 7am. Finish together for some refreshments and a private shop experience.

6 Bob Brown Foundation’s 2024 Art for Takayna exhibition opens at the Long Gallery, Salamanca. On til the 22nd, 10-5:30pm.

7 ‘Revolt. She said. Revolt again’ by Alice Birch opens at the Peacock Theatre, 8pm.10

8  Hailing from the Sahara, desert blues band Tinariwen comes to Tassie for the first time at The Odeon tonight, 7:30pm. From PANAMA Presents.

10 Pianist Kirill Gerstein performs with Musica Viva tonight at Hobart Town Hall, with a special pre-show dinner option at Hadley’s. Show starts at 7:30pm.

11 The world’s longest-running play, Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery ‘The Mousetrap’, opens at the Theatre Royal tonight, with shows until 22 June.

12 Mish Meijers’ new exhibition of quirky and colourful painted ceramics, ‘Dermatologists Hate Her!’, brings a conversation about the ‘deluge of contemporary life’. Bett Gallery, Mon-Sat until the 29th.

13 The Winter Feast begins. As part of a reduced Dark Mofo this year, the feast remains, on the 13- 16 and 20-23, with free entry Sundays.

14 Walk Against Elder Abuse: from 9:45am at the Elizabeth St Mall info booth to Mathers House. There will also be walks today in Launceston and Burnie.

15 The Genesis Owusu gig at The Odeon will no doubt be epic tonight from 7:30pm, or perhaps you prefer Pond with their Stung! Tour at Altar, also 7:30.

16   Expect the unexpected when DJ Pressed and DJ Andrew M take over St David’s Cathedral for seven hours from 3pm.

18 Spend your lunch break with a mini version of Van Diemen’s Band performing Baroque favourites at the Hobart Town Hall, 1:05pm, $10 pre booked.

19 Kingston Neighbourhood House hosts a dementia-friendly craft group today from 1-3pm.

20 The very funny Kirsty Webeck headlines The Clubhouse comedy event at Hobart Brewing Co tonight, 7:30- 9:30pm.

21 It’s the winter solstice! Out of the Closet Comedy fills the Moonah Arts Centre with laughs from 7pm, and Dark Homo parties all night at the Grand Poobah, 9pm-5am.

22 Get brunch at the Tasmanian Produce Market at Kangaroo Bay Park, 9am-1pm. Later, Melbourne grindcore band King Parrot takes to the Republic Bar stage fortnight from 7pm

23 Cool cats will be hanging in Sorell today for the Tas Feline Association’s Cat Show, 9am-3pm, Sorell Memorial Hall. Richmond Village Market is on from 10am-3pm.

24 Local men are invited to TasMen’s annual Winter Solstice Swim, likely followed by a breath session and group circle round the fire. 7pm at Seven Mile Beach.

26 If you live on the Eastern Shore and need help with public speaking, head to Toastmasters at Mornington Inn tonight from 6:30-8:30pm.

27 If you are a person living with a brain injury or a family member/carer for someone with brain injury, come along to a casual coffee catch-up at Jam Packed Café. Register at www.biat.org.au.

28 The Festival of Voices’ Tasmanian Songbook gig is back celebrating Tassie musos and songs, 8pm Ian Potter Recital Hall at The Hedberg.

29 The Festival of Voices Big Sing Bonfire starts tonight at 5pm. The Hobart Cello Solstice Concert will fill St George’s Anglican Church, Battery Point, 5pm. Enjoy Jimmy Barnes’ distinctive voice at Wrest Point tonight.

30  Learn about edible foods on the eastern shore on kipli takara, the bush foods tour run by palawa kipli, 2-3:30pm.

July

1 Get a little bit fancy with A Choral Soiree at Government House tonight 6-7:30pm.

2 The Harlem Globetrotters are in town on their 2024 world tour. MyState Bank Arena, doors open 6pm, tip off is at 7pm. Wonder who’ll win?

3  The Winter Film Festival brings free film screenings to local libraries – check in with your local branch to see what they’re showing

FURTHER AFIELD

7 June  Locals and visitors are welcome at Wynyard’s Gather and Glow Winter Bonfire and night market. The annual celebration of communities includes live local music, cultural arts (make your own Aboriginal firestick), food, local butcher’s bbq and homemade veggie soup with Wynyard Youth Leaders and the Vinnies Van onsite. At the Wynyard Foreshore, 5pm – 7pm.

7-15 June  Spend the long weekend in the north east for the Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival, including the annual Bay of Fires Art Prize and exhibition. Various events at various venues, check bayoffireswinterartsfestival.com.au for all the details.

8 June  Head out for a proper fancy night out with A Night of Opulence: dinner, wine and glorious music at Table House Farm, Table Cape. 6:30pm – 10:30 pm.

Until 30 June  Make a beautiful unique wooden spoon with recycled vintage or green timber straight from a local tree with a Phoenix Creations workshop in Cygnet. All are welcome, from absolute beginner woodworkers to the experienced. Various dates available, check phoenixcreationstasmaniashop.bigcartel.com.

Until 25 August  Action! Film & War is a fascinating exhibition showing the experiences of the Australian men and women behind the lens documenting wars since World War One. Featuring some of the equipment they used, it’s on until late August at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk.

Until 30 September  The Past the Post racing exhibition is a collection of stories and memorabilia relating to the horse racing history of the Meander Valley. At the Deloraine & Districts Folk Museum daily from 9am to 5pm, though winter weekend hours may vary.

AROUND THE ISLAND

June

5 Enjoy a monochrome photography gallery, The Art of Engineering, all about the big moving parts, switches, dials and gauges of engineering. At the Watch House in George Town.

6 Join a free long table lunch at the Rosebery Memorial Hall, to encourage lifelong respect and combat elder abuse. 12-2pm. Book by calling 6473 Also at St Marys on 12 June.

7 Comedian Jimmy Rees heads to Launceston’s Princess Theatre for a night of belly laughs. There’s two shows, 6pm and 8:45pm.

9 Join the celebrations with the launch of The Gin Station at Alchymia Distillery at Table Cape. Meet the distiller and learn the process of making gin, followed by tastings. 12pm start.

10 Get your pals together for a chinwag as you peruse the British cars and motorcycle display at National Automobile Museum of Tasmania in Launceston. 10am-1pm.

11 Unleash your inner Shah Rukh Khan at the free Bollywood Dance classes at the Northern Suburbs Community Centre in Newnham. 1-1:45pm every Tuesday.

12 Anh Do takes the stage at Burnie Arts Centre with The Happiest Refugee Live!, a combination of stand-up comedy and real life stories that builds on his bestselling book. From 7:30pm.

13 Visit Launceston’s QVMAG, for an exhibition ACTION! Film & War. It explores the Australians that have recorded military comfort with cameras. On until 25 August.

14 Enter a world of magic with Dungeons & Dragons at Devonport Library. From June, the second Friday of each month is for adults, and the first Saturday of each month is for ages 12-17.

15 Repair a broken or torn household item at the Launceston Repair Cafe, a free event aimed at diverting items from landfill, 1-4pm at Pilgrim Church Hall. Register at launceston.tas.gov.au.

16 Visit the monthly country market held in the historic Ross Town Hall, featuring homemade specialty pies, cakes, preserves, then explore the historic streetscape.

17 Pop into QVMAG’s Art Gallery at Royal Park for the Faces of Launceston exhibition. A free gallery of black and white portraits of Launnie locals across 30 years.

18 If you find yourself in Rowella, head to Holm Oak Vineyard for some tennis-inspired tastings. Enjoy wine as you hear local tennis stories and view a collection of memorabilia.

19 Launceston’s Earl Arts Centre hosts a production of The 39 Steps tonight, a parody of the Alfred Hitchcock mystery of the same name. Shows from 14 June until 29 June.

20 Grindcore band King Parrot swoops into Devonport tonight at Pub Rock Diner. 8pm start. Heckling encouraged, as long as you expect to be belittled in return!

21 Alive After 5 is a monthly Launceston event in the heart of the city, Civic Square, with live music, food, and drinks, capped off with an outdoor cinema.

22 Visit St Marys for a Winter Solstice celebration. With a lantern-making workshop, storytelling tent, face painting, giant chess, Q&A with local writers, and food trucks. 1-11pm.

23 Young anime and manga fans are invited to a free meetup at Launceston Library to meet fellow enthusiasts. Ages 13+. 11:45am-1:45pm.

24 It’s Monday in Launceston. Do you know what that means? Monday night drag trivia! Local drag royalty Enya Arsenal hosts at Tandy’s Alehouse. 7pm start

25 Take part in a magical trifecta: Paint n Sip n Eat. At Appleby’s Mediterraneo Bar & Grill in Boat Harbour. 6-8:30pm. All the necessary equipment will be provided.

26 Celebrate women in leadership roles at the Women in Leadership Cocktail function, taking place at Stelo at Pierre’s in Launceston. 5:30pm start. $20 a head.

27 Devonport’s Paranaple Arts Centre invites you to watch a timeless classic, Swan Lake, one of the world’s most famous ballets. 7pm start. Also at Launceston’s Princess Theatre tomorrow.

28 Tonight in Wynyard visit the free Moonlight Stories event, which projects artwork onto Table Cape Lighthouse under the moonlight and the stars. 6pm. It’s on other dates too

29 Queen tribute show, Bohemian Rhapsody, heads to Princess Theatre in Launceston at 8pm tonight. The concert promises a nostalgic journey, recreating the energy of Queen.

30 Visit the Latrobe Village Market 9am-1pm. A bric-a-brac style market, you’re sure to pick up some hidden gems.

July

1 Bicheno plays host to a free family-friendly event, Bicheno Beams, a laser light show synchronised to music. It kicks off at 6pm nightly until 20 July.

2 Pride Coffee is a monthly catchup for the LGBTIAQ+ community in the west and north west. Held at Tracks Cafe in Queenstown at 1:30pm. RSVP to garry@workingitout.org.au.

3 If you love a great rump steak with chips and salad, then Wednesday is the day you need to head to the Kermandie Hotel in Port Huon. $18 Steak Day every Wednesday

4 Fundraiser running event in Launceston, the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, aims to protect children from abuse. Individuals/ teams can run/walk the 7km, 14km, 21.1km, or 42.2km distances.

WANT TO EXPLORE MORE?

Oatlands A cute historic town adorned with Georgian buildings. Perfect for a pleasant stroll. Be sure to stop into The Pancake and Crepe Shop.

Clifton Beach Take the 45 minute Cape Deslacs Circuit Walk at Clifton Beach for stunning views of the popular surfing spot. The vegetation colours are fascinating.

Ben Lomond Winter means skiing and snowboarding. Learn the basics or flex your skills at Ben Lomond Alpine Resort in northeast Tassie.