What's On This Off Season- 2026 - The Hobart / Launceston Magazine

What’s On This Off Season- 2026

by Stephanie Williams

June

7 Join an afternoon of candle making with Richmond Botanicals Co at Killara Distillery. Create a candle using Richmond Botanicals Co’s signature scents inspired by the Coal River Valley. From 2pm.

11 Dark Mofo kicks off today until the 22nd. Tasmania’s iconic midwinter festival returns with art, music, food and rituals. Winter Feast hosts the isle’s finest food, wine and spirits. Expect the unexpected.

19 Light Up the West shines on the west coast with a vibrant celebration of the winter solstice and beyond until 28 June. Featuring light installations, community bonfires and live music.

20 Indulge in A Night of Pinot Noir, Whisky and Stargazing at Noir Noir, hosted by Tamar Ridge and Turner Stillhouse at 6.30pm.

21 Lace those sneakers up to Run the Dark at the Knockers Solstice Trail Run from 4:15pm at Knocklofty Reserve. Runners tackle 4km, 6km or 11km courses through native bushland by headtorch.

27 Don’t miss family-friendly Bicheno Beams, every night until 25 July, 6.30pm. The event transforms Bicheno’s night sky with spectacular laser light shows set to music for all ages.

30 Expect wicked puppetry, choreography, live video and green screen technology at the family-friendly performance of Moss Piglet, Albert Hall at 10am.

July

1 Head to the Playhouse for School of Rock the Musical, until the 4th. With young Tassie actors at the helm, enjoy high-octane musical numbers, celebrating individuality, courage and the power of music.

1 Unlock the secrets of the North West coast with Permission to Trespass, until 15 July. From long table dinners, markets, art, music and creative workshops, it highlights people, stories and place.

3 All Come Out To Play is a free, joyful musical adventure for children aged 0–5 and their grown-ups at 10am at Rosny Farm. Children are encouraged to participate throughout the performance.

*Festival of Voices. Pic: Alastair Bett*

3 The beloved Festival of Voices brings together local and international artists for 10 winter days of choral, cabaret, classical, comedy, and contemporary performance.

17 Shine bright at Lightwave Festival, for three days of fun. Enjoy the Light Parade on Saturday, a community party with light-based costumes, and sound and light show. 5pm start.

23 Devonport Jazz hits its 25th year. From workshops, choirs, jazz playgroup for the kids, and plenty of gigs across Devonport and surrounds, music lovers will be in heaven for four days.

24 Delve into the magic of clay with Pottery and Pinot, a hands-on creative experience at Fulton Creek Farm. A guided class with landowner and ceramic artist Anna McNeill.

August

2 Celebrate seafood at Tassie Scallop Fiesta in Bridport for the start of the scallop season. Savour fine local Tassie food and drinks while watching chef demos and entertainment.

*Beaker Street Festival. Pic: Fred + Hannah*

6 Beaker Street Festival runs until 17 August, igniting curiosity across the state as it combines science, art and culture through immersive events, talks and performances in Hobart.

8 The Heritage & Bullock Festival celebrates heritage, tradition and community spirit at historic Oatlands, honouring the bullock teams that once powered Australia’s early industries.

9 Tasmania’s sweetest winter festival, Chocolate Winterfest, returns to Latrobe from 10.30am–3pm.

15 Cyclists assemble at The Big Bike Film Night at Easy Tiger in St Helens, 7pm. The 2026 film selection brings together a dynamic mix of cycling stories, all celebrating life on two wheels.

20 Aussie icon Noni Hazlehurst stars in The Lark at Theatre Royal, a powerful play about life, death and change. You won’t want to miss this moving story.

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces – May 2026

Bits and Pieces- May 2026

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

Landscape artist and creative Elliott Nimmo is enjoying discovering Hobart’s vibrant art scene and local environment after relocating here from London to pursue his art.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

A Holyman flagged ship hasn’t steamed up the River Derwent since 1984 but the company’s name still proudly adorns its former offices at 5 Morrison Street, Hobart.

Widening the Tasman Bridge to allow 3.5 metres on each side is a big win for walkers and cyclists.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Rain, hail and shine, the school crossing guards are always there to help with a smile on their face.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!