Update: The Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19. Stay tuned for next year’s event, which will be bigger and better than ever!
Escape the shackles of winter and go wild at this year’s Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival. Over three days you’ll be feasting, celebrating and dancing as a way to awaken from the darkest of days in winter. This delightfully decadent festival is held from Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July 2020, when the long nights call for a mighty celebration.
The party kicks off on Friday night when ‘Big Willie’, a 15 metre high wicker man, is set alight. Flames and fire continue throughout the weekend, when a giant bonfire is lit on Saturday afternoon. On top of all this there’ll be a traditional wassail, where party-goers create a racket to ward away evil spirits and ensure a fruitful crop. There’ll be drums a banging, songs to be sung, and lots of shouting, as everyone joins in this ceremonial blessing of the apple trees and to awaken them for the next season.
Throughout the three day Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, you’ll enjoy the exceptional Tassie food stalls that honour seasonal produce made fresh on-site. Mix this in with artisanal booze and you’re set for a real fine feast!
If that’s not enough to wet your whistle, there’s a pumping line-up of bands to keep you dancing and jiving well into the night. Bands include the eclectic Ogopogo, the folk band The Button Collective, and cheeky Toravesh. And of course, there’ll be fire here too, with The Flaming Piano and flaming trumpets in the Blunderbuss Jones.
So if you’re keen to get out and escape the dark days, then it’s time for you to head to the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival for an outrageous and delightfully devilish three day party.
Before you pack your bags to go, just remember to bring something warm since it can get quite cold at night. You’re going to want to bring a parker and pack a good pair of gloves, so you can keep partying well into the night!
All you need to know about the 2020 Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival
Address: 49 Marguerite St, Ranleigh, Tasmania
When: Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July 2020
Web: https://www.huonvalleymidwinterfest.com.au/
