Festivals & Events in Tasmania
For more information about these festivals and events, call Tourism Tasmania on 03 6230 8235 or 1800 623 191 or visit the website www.discovertasmania.com.au.
January
- Sydney–Hobart Yacht Race
Finish of the Rolex Sydney–Hobart Yacht Race at Sullivans Cove.
- Hobart Summer Festival
Starting with the Taste of Tasmania and Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race. A range of other events showcase Tasmania’s talent and creativity, primarily centred around the Hobart waterfront.
- The Falls Festival
Held on a beautiful farm in Tasmania overlooking the stunning Marion Bay and Maria Island, with two days and nights of music and entertainment from local and international artists.
- Tasmanian Wine Show
A week showcasing the Tasmanian Wine Industry; awards dinner and public tastings as well as tutored tastings.
- 2007 TEVA Cataract Extreme Race
Australian Extreme Whitewater Kayaking Championships held at Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston.
- Sandy Bay Regatta
Held over the Australia Day weekend, this is a family fun day with sailing, rowing, wood-chopping, stage events, fine food and drinks all in a magnificent setting on the beachfront.
- Apple Isle Grand Prix
The Apple Isle Grand Prix for Super Sedans is the cream of Australia's drivers compete in Australia's richest Super Sedan race.
February
- Cradle Mountain Run
An 82km trail run limited to 50 runners who have the stamina to complete the run in 16 hours.
- Australian Wooden Boat Festival
Biennial celebration of maritime traditions held at Hobart’s waterfront.
- 2007 Great Australian Bike Ride
Starting in Launceston and stopping at Pipers Brook winery, Branxholm, St Helens, Bicheno, Swansea, Freycinet Peninsula, Triabunna, Richmond and finishing at Hobart.
- National Pennyfarthing Championships
The main feature of a traditional colonial country fair held at Evandale, with dancing, music and street entertainers.
- Bushy Park Show Woodchopping Carnival
A prestigious woodchopping event held in the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands, attracting the best axemen from around Australia.
- Festivale
Launceston's annual three-day celebration of Tasmania's enviable lifestyle. Held in the city's historic City Park, Festivale features the state's highly renowned gourmet food and wine amid all the colour and fun of family entertainment, provided by both local and interstate artists.
- Hobart Cup Race Meeting
Excitement, entertainment and fashion – the culmination of The Tasmanian Racing Club’s AAMI Summer Racing Carnival held at Elwick Racecourse.
- UTI Hobart International Triathlon
This event is part of the Australian national and world series with teams from England, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales and Australia competing in a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run through historic Hobart and its waterfront.
- Clarence by the Water Jazz Festival
Week of jazz concerts, workshops and festivities at a range of venues throughout Clarence, including Lindisfarne, Bellerive and Howrah.
March
- Bothwell International Highland Spin
The primary focus is on wool and the various methods of spinning, weaving and dyeing. It also encompasses numerous other textile-related activities such as lace and rug making, embroidery and fashion design.
- The Fingal Valley Festival
Events include the world coal shovelling and roof bolting championships, tree felling championships, shearing competition, yard dog trials, woodchopping, veterans cycle race (Fingal to Mathinna return) and sheaf tossing. Other activities include sideshows, food and craft stalls, rides and a cabaret at night.
- Agricultural Show
King Island Agricultural Show.
- A Taste of the Huon
An Autumn celebration of the fine food and wine and entertainment of the Huon Valley, DEntrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island regions of Tasmania.
- Bike Week
Bike rides and events will be held around Tasmania.
- Ten days on the Island
Cultural activities and festivities bring island people from around the world to Tasmania to celebrate what being an islander is all about.
Includes dance, theatre, music, opera, film, literature, and gastronomy from Iceland, Newfoundland, the Shetland group, Ireland, Hawaii, East Timor, Guernsey, Manhattan, Denmark, Reunion, Tasmania and much more.
- Tasmanian Forest Festival
This showcase of the Tasmanian forest industry provides a fun family day out whilst incorporating education and public awareness about Tasmania's sustainable timber industry.
April
- Hydro Tasmania Three Peaks Race
An epic test of endurance, courage and skill, when crack crews of sailors and mountain runners race from the Tamar to ascend peaks on Flinders Island, Freycinet Peninsula and Hobart’s Mount Wellington.
- Targa Tasmania
300 of the world’s best touring, sports and GT rally cars compete on closed roads through Tasmania’s scenic routes and mountain passes.
- Track and Field Championship
Telstra Australian Masters Athletics Annual Track and Field Championships. Full programme of track and field events plus Masters multi-event competitions of pentathlon and weight pentathlon, 8km cross-country and 10km and 20km road walks.
- Australia Formula One Superboat Grand Prix
This event is one of six rounds that make up the Australian Formula One Superboat series and is carried out on the Derwent River regatta grounds in Hobart.
May
- City to Casino Fun Run
This fun run is from Glenorchy to Wrest Point. It is the largest mass participation fun run in Tasmania with courses from 2.5km for children to 11km for serious athletes.
- Agfest
One of Australia's major agricultural field days, organised and run by Rural Youth at Quercus Park near Carrick.
- Tamar Classic Fishing Competition
George Town Yacht Club's first fishing competition is open to all boat and land based fisherman, starting at the clubrooms in George Town.
June
- Suncoast Jazz Festival
Tasmania’s biggest single jazz event held in the sunny seaside town of St Helens. Renowned for its mix of mainstream, Dixieland and New Orleans music, it provides more than 16 hours of jazz, a public concert and a street march.
- Antarctic Midwinter Festival
A celebration of the links between Hobart and the Antarctic, incorporating food, science, history and lifestyle.
July
- Festival of Voices
A celebration the beautiful sounds of choral music – gospel, classical, a capella and sacred song held in some of Hobart’s historic locations and at regional centres throughout the state.
- Chocolate Winterfest
Latrobe's wickedly delicious two-day festival celebrating all things chocolate.
- Subaru Safari Tasmania
The 4th round of the Australian Rally Championship held within Tasmania's majestic southern forests will include a free-to-see Super Special Stage based just outside the forest rally's home town of Geeveston.
August
- Devonport Jazz Festival
Come and enjoy jazz in Devonport.
- Ben Lomond Descent
Forestry Tasmania Challenge involving skiing, mountainbiking, paddling and cross-country running.
- Tasmanian Living Artists Week
Support the local artists in the area and pick up some originals.
September
- Hobart Horticultural Spring Flower Spectacular
A city of Hobart Floral Show featuring daffodils, camellias and spring flowers galore, and inspiring floral art.
- Blooming Tasmania (September to May)
A state-wide journey of garden experiences and events celebrating Tasmania's botanic diversity, including the Claremont Daffodil and Spring Flower Show and the Launceston Horticultural Society Spring Show.
October
- Royal Hobart Show at Glenorchy
Tasmania’s major agricultural event incorporating a public holiday.
- Derby River Derby
Raft racing and general insanity on the Derby River in north-east Tasmania.
- Great Tasmanian Oyster Riot
A riotous gathering of oyster farmers promoting Tasmania and its world best oysters with competitions, sample food and wine, stories, Farmers Dinner and a gala jazz night.
- Agricultural Show
Flinders Island Agricultural Show.
- Seafarer's Festival
A celebration of all things nautical including regatta activities, music, seafood and fine wine.
- Freycinet Lodge Challenge
Running, kayaking and road bike riding around parts of spectacular Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s East Coast.
- Oatlands Open Day
A community event sharing with the wider community all the things in which Oatlands takes great pride.
November
- Tasmanian Craft Fair
Australia’s largest working craft fair held in the small historic town of Deloraine. Crafts on show and for sale over the four days are as diverse as woodcarvings, hand-blown glassware, leather and metal work, pottery, leadlighting, embroidery, silver and goldsmiths, oil paintings and watercolours, egg carving and wrought iron work.
- Point to Pinnacle Road Run and Walk
A gruelling 22km footrace between two iconic Tasmanian locations, the man-made Wrest Point and the stunningly majestic Mount Wellington and its surrounding tracks and amazing views.
- Australian Motorcycle Week
An eleven-day motorcycling festival featuring five-day tours around Tasmania, an exciting racing calendar and a range of social activities.
- Launceston Blues festival
The Launceston Blues Club presents its third Blues Festival showcasing Tasmanian blues bands as well as interstate acts.
- The Piner’s Festival
Heritage event celebration of the pining heritage of the west coast, starting with a sail past of historic boats on Macquarie Harbour. Features punt races, woodchopping, arts, crafts, food and music.
- The Wrest Point Royal Hobart International Wine Show Public Tastings
Part of the National Wine Show Circuit, Australia's largest public wine tasting with nearly 3000 different wines to sample.
- Hobart Christmas Pageant
Get in the Christmas spirit with this delightful pageant.
- Launceston Christmas Parade
A great opportunity to see Santa before the big day! Fun for all the family.
December
- Melbourne-to-Hobart Yacht Race
An event for boaties and non-boaties alike.
- Taste of Tasmania
Showcasing a variety of Tasmania’s celebrated food and wine. Set on Hobart’s historic waterfront, the festival provides a forum for entertainers from around the world. New Year’s Eve Party at Sullivans Cove.
- Eve on George
Street entertainment for New Year’s Eve in Launceston.