Incredible line-up of top events for summer
Enjoy all Hobart has to offer, writes Alex Heroys
WINTER events like Dark Mofo are now a Hobart staple, bringing significant economic and cultural benefits. Increasing the opportunities for event attraction with a newly developed Arts and Entertainment precinct at Macquarie Point will further cement Hobart as an events destination and give us the ability to attract and target events for a full year-round offering.
With winter being a not-toodistant memory, let’s look forward and embrace the opportunities coming our way this summer.
What we can be assured of is an incredible variety of activities on offer for Tasmanians and visitors alike.
There will be food and wine, yachts, music, tennis and athletes’ pro and amateur, and that’s only the beginning.
We start with the Taste of summer, from December 27January 2, bringing together people from across Tasmania, Australia and the world.
The Taste of Summer is arguably Australia’s premium food and wine festival, with a showcase of the state’s best produce and beverages.
Hobart’s waterfront will be a buzz with festivities celebrating the famed Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starting on Boxing Day, with more than 100 boats in this year’s fleet. This year marks the 50th Melbourne-Hobart Yacht race, with the finish coinciding with the Launceston-Hobart Yacht Race. Check out the Willie Smiths race village for the first time this year.
New Year’s Eve celebrations and the Taste of Summer remain synonymous with each other. Competing for your time will be the “Annus Finus” celebrations at Mona.
Returning from a two-year break, the Hobart International is back at the Domain Tennis Centre from January 7 -14.
More than 50 of the world’s top female tennis players will compete at the 28th edition of the WTA 250 level tournament, ahead of the Australian Open.
We start February with a new event, Hobart hosting its inaugural Iron Man 70.3 Tasmania – with Salamanca’s sandstone buildings as the backdrop for the event village. Participation events like these bring great benefit economically as entrants travel with family and friends.
The much-loved Australian Wooden Boat Festival returns with four days of free entertainment from February 10-13.
Held across Hobart’s waterfront, the festival brings together the largest and most beautiful collection of wooden boats in the Southern Hemisphere.
From the Maritime Marketplace at PW1, the Children’s Area on Parliament House Lawns, the Tasmanian Fishing Industry display, the International Wooden Boat Symposium and the Shipwright’s Village, there is something for everyone.
The month of February will close with one of Australia’s most popular and eclectic music Festivals, Mona Foma (24-26 February). Once again, Mona Foma will go Statewide with the weekend prior held in Launceston.
This year, the line-up is as varied as ever, with Peaches, Chloe Kim, Van Diemen’s Band + Ensemble Kaboul, Bikini Kill and Miss Kaninna.
This string of varied events is truly unique to Hobart, activating the heart of the city with a broad appeal of followers.
These events attract a loyal base of family, friends and fans ultimately drawn to further explore and experience the beauty and stories of our regional areas. The benefits of increased visitor spend in our regional communities are farreaching, providing confidence and opportunities for employment.
Let’s also remember the tourism industry is still struggling with skilled workforce shortages on the back of Covid-19, so as we celebrate summer – be kind, patient and spread the positive vibes for all to enjoy!