Tasmania’s Taste of Summer 2026

Tasmania’s Taste of Summer

Tasmania’s Taste of Summer traces back to 1988, when Hobart City Council launched it as part of the Hobart Summer Festival, originally created to entertain the crews and crowds gathering for the finish of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Known for decades as the Taste of Tasmania, it grew from a modest three-day event into a week-long waterfront celebration before being rebranded and taken over by a private events consortium in 2022 — and has since picked up Gold at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards.

Held annually over the turn of the year, spanning the final days of December into the first days of January, the festival takes over Hobart’s Princes Wharf and the waterfront near Salamanca Place, just minutes from the CBD. Multiple stages, a sunset cinema pavilion and stalls from artisan food and drink producers across the island turn the harbour into Tasmania’s biggest celebration of local produce.

Festival Highlights:

• Tasmanian Food & Drink: Local producers fill the waterfront with fresh seafood, wine, spirits, craft beer and cider, cheeses, honey and other artisanal Tasmanian produce.
• Live Music & Entertainment: Multiple stages run daily entertainment and live bands, alongside cooking demonstrations and a sunset cinema pavilion.
• New Year’s Eve Waterfront Party: The festival’s biggest night brings live music, DJs and food and drink together for a harbourside countdown, capped off with a fireworks display over the water.
• Kids’ Activities: Dedicated play areas and family programming run throughout the day, making it an easy festival to bring children along to.

Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:

• Tickets: General entry to the waterfront precinct is typically free, with food, drink and any premium event tickets purchased separately, so it’s worth checking the official festival site for current entry details.
• Best Viewing Spot: The harbourside stages and the fireworks display are both easily viewed from along the wharf, so arriving a little early on the busier evenings secures the best sightlines.
• Getting There: Princes Wharf sits just a few minutes’ walk from Hobart’s CBD, with public transport and plenty of nearby parking making it an easy add-on to a day in the city.
• What to Wear: Hobart’s summer weather can shift quickly from warm sun to a cool harbour breeze, so light layers and a jacket for the evening are worth having on hand.
• Accommodation: Hobart’s accommodation books out fast over the New Year period, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
• Explore Hobart: Make the most of the trip with the city’s harbour, Salamanca Market and nearby Mount Wellington — browse top Hobart tours and activities here.

The full program and venue schedule is published closer to the event. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.