Tasmania comes alive in summer.

From late December through to February, the island hosts some of Australia’s most distinctive festivals — celebrations shaped by water, land, creativity and community. Whether you’re drawn to waterfront food festivals, iconic yacht races, live music in the countryside or intimate arts events, Tasmania’s summer festival calendar offers something deeply local and quietly unforgettable.

This guide explores some of our teams favourite Tasmanian summer festivals, from Hobart to Launceston and beyond.

Hobart Summer Festivals & Waterfront Events

Tasmania’s Taste of Summer (Hobart)

Held across late December and early January, Tasmania’s Taste of Summer is one of the island’s most loved food and drink festivals. Set along Hobart’s waterfront, it’s a week-long celebration featuring Tasmanian produce, booze, art installations, live music and New Year’s Eve fireworks over the harbour.

It’s an essential stop for anyone visiting Hobart in summer — relaxed, generous and unmistakably Tasmanian.

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Finish

Arriving in Hobart in late December, the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is a defining moment of the city’s summer calendar. As yachts cross the finish line at Constitution Dock, thousands gather along the waterfront to welcome crews home.

The race adds a sense of drama and tradition to Hobart’s festive season, reinforcing the city’s deep connection to the sea.

Wooden Boat Festival (Hobart)

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival celebrates maritime heritage with tall ships, traditional boatbuilding, live music and local food. Held every second year in Hobart over the long weekend in February, it’s one of Tasmania’s most visually striking festivals and a favourite for families and visitors alike.

Royal Hobart Regatta

One of Australia’s oldest sporting events, the Royal Hobart Regatta brings together rowing, sailing, food stalls and community celebration along the Derwent River creating a historic summer tradition that continues to anchor Hobart’s festival season. Held over a long weekend, the event is family friendly and a greta way to enjoy some of the last long summer days of the Tasmanian summer.

Food & Drink Festivals in Tasmania

Festivale (Launceston)

Taking place in Launceston’s City Park in late January or early February, Festivale is one of Tasmania’s largest food, wine and arts festivals. Showcasing local producers, winemakers and artists, it’s a highlight of the northern summer calendar.

Launceston BeerFest

Held on New Year’s Eve, Launceston BeerFest combines craft beer, live entertainment and fireworks, offering a relaxed and social way to ring in the New Year in northern Tasmania.

Ginuary (Hobart)

Throughout January, Ginuary celebrates Tasmania’s booming gin scene. Distilleries across the state host tastings, events and collaborations, highlighting the island’s reputation for premium spirits and native botanicals.

Koonya Garlic Festival

A niche but much-loved event, the Koonya Garlic Festival celebrates locally grown garlic, artisan food and community connection on the Tasman Peninsula — proof that Tasmania’s food culture thrives at every scale.

Music, Arts & Cultural Festivals

Cygnet Folk Festival (Huon Valley)

The Cygnet Folk Festival is a deeply rooted music event held in the Huon Valley each January. Known for its intimate atmosphere and strong sense of community, it attracts folk musicians and audiences from across Australia.

Party in the Paddock (Carrick)

Set in rural northern Tasmania, Party in the Paddock is a major summer music festival featuring local and national acts. It combines big energy with a distinctly Tasmanian countryside setting.

MONA FOMA

MONA FOMA (Museum of Old and New Art: Festival of Music and Art) is Tasmania’s festival of experimental art, sound and performance. Often held across summer, it pushes creative boundaries and attracts national and international attention.

ECHO Festival (Swansea)

On Tasmania’s east coast, ECHO Festival celebrates local culture, creativity and community in Swansea. It’s a smaller-scale festival with a strong focus on place and participation.

Unique & Traditional Tasmanian Events

Evandale Village Fair & National Penny Farthing Championships

One of Tasmania’s most unique events, the Evandale Village Fair and National Penny Farthing Championships blends historic charm with playful spectacle; a quirky celebration that has become a summer icon.

Why Summer Festivals Define Tasmania

Tasmania’s summer festivals are not just events, they are expressions of place and a chance to bask in the glory of long, warm days which is such a treat.

They reflect the island’s values: connection to land and water, pride in local food and craft, and a strong sense of community. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or considering a longer stay, summer is when Tasmania shows its most open, generous self.