CALENDAR
Put it in the diary Northern Tasmania’s annual line-up of events has something for everyone ‒ whether you want to rock out with local bands, sip fine wine or enjoy heart-pumping action in the wilderness.
M AY
TASMANIAN BREATH OF FRESH AIR (BOFA) FILM FESTIVAL Village Cinemas Launceston > This international film festival in mid May screens stories that challenge our thinking, examine the way we live and seek to bring about change. The festival’s upbeat party vibe keeps things fun. breath-of-fresh-air.com.au
SE P
JAN
MONA FOMA Various locations, Launceston > After a decade in Hobart, MOFO – MONA’s eccentric summer festival – moved to Launceston in 2018. The festival is known for exciting and sometimes uncomfortable performances, which curator Brian Ritchie calls “kick-ass musical anarchy and artistic abandon”. For 2020, expect a line-up featuring local Tasmanian and international musicians, plus plenty of bizarre surprises on the streets. mofo.net.au
FE B
FESTIVALE Launceston City Park > Tens of thousands of people flock to this three-day festival of food, wine and music. It’s one of the few times when Tasmania’s premium food, beer and wine producers gather together in one place. Come with friends to take advantage of the many tasting plates (that way you can sample and savour a bit of everything!), then kick back on the grass with a cider to take in a comedy show or top-shelf musical performance. festivale.com.au
M AR
CRADLE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park > This isn’t just a place for those who want to brave the area’s incredible (and incredibly steep) trails and adventure activities. It’s a place where you can live vicariously through a film festival screen, watching epic local and international adventure films – even while relaxing in a yurt cinema in the forest. There’s also a host of other activities on offer, including yoga, film workshops, cold-water therapy and canyoning. cradlemountainfilmfest.com SHIMANO ENDURO TASMANIA Derby > At Enduro, in late March to early April, the world’s best mountain bikers race across the Blue Derby Mountain Bike trails through fern forests, over granite slabs and more. Cheer on the racers, take in the stunning views and stick around for the afterparty in the village. emsaustralia.net.au; enduroworldseries.com
JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL Various locations, Launceston > For nine years, the Junction Arts Festival has celebrated local and international musical, performing and visual arts talent. Events, held across the city in early September, run the gamut from roller-disco nights to feasts cooked over open fire. You’ll also groove along to alt-country and South-Sudanese hip hop performers – and that’s just for starters. junctionartsfestival.com.au
NOV
EFFERVESCENCE TASMANIA Relbia, Launceston, Tamar Valley > It’s no wonder that the small region becoming known as “Little Champagne” hosts a festival that is dedicated to bubbles. The midNovember event includes sparkling masterclasses, degustation lunches, tasting experiences and more. effervescencetasmania.com FARMGATE FESTIVAL Various locations, Tamar Valley > There is nowhere that epitomises farm-to-plate dining quite like the Farmgate Festival. In late November, head to the Tamar Valley to tour pig farms and apple orchards, collect freshly-laid eggs and sample honey straight from the hive. farmgatefestival.net.au
Dates may be subject to change. Check event websites for updates.
