There aren’t many opportunities to experience immersive, thought-provoking art in the depths of winter, but Dark Mofo – Tasmania’s solstice festival – is one-of-a-kind in Australia. It returns to Hobart in June and has just dropped its full music, arts and culture lineup for 2026.
Returning to Tasmania (Lutruwita) from 11–22 June 2026, its bringing back its signature midwinter mix of art, performance, music and ritual back to Hobart and beyond. The 2026 program spans large-scale installations, boundary-pushing performances and a genre-spanning music lineup, alongside the festival’s iconic communal events. Here’s what you need to know…
Music program
Chamberwoman. Image courtesy of Dark Mofo.
The 2026 music lineup spans hip-hop, metal, experimental electronic and post-punk, bringing together international and Australian acts. Artists include:
- Princess Nokia
- Power Trip
- Protomartyr
- Kelly Moran
- Sega Bodega
- Gabber Eleganza
- Danny Brown
- Purity Ring
- Nina Utashiro
- The Black Angels
- Clipping
- Acid Mothers Temple
- Lord Spikeheart
- Chat Pile
- Chamberwoman
- Xiu Xiu
- Emasculator
- Baker Boy
- Folk Bitch Trio
- Iglooghost
- Amby Downs
- Ninajirachi
- Snapped Ankles
- Dry Cleaning
- Daniel Avery
- Headache
- WU LYF
- Sassy 009
- Blackwater Holylight
- Miss Kaninna
- The Gesualdo Six.
Signature program elements return, including Hymns to the Dead and curated multi-artist events like Borderlands, alongside performances across venues in Hobart and Launceston.
Art program
Hayley Millar Baker. Image courtesy of Dark Mofo.
Art and installation works take over both traditional and unconventional spaces, including ships, galleries and public sites. Highlights include works by:
- Loris Gréaud
- Arthur Jafa
- Monica Bonvicini
- Julian Charrière
- Hayley Millar Baker
- Brosi Acket
- Vipoo Srivilasa
- Yhonnie Scarce
- Berna Reale
- Gabriel Lester
- Ryoji Ikeda
- Abdul-Rahman Abdullah
- Fakahoko.
The midwinter festival will introduce art into sites around Hobart including Spirit of Tasmania V – a 48,000-tonne ship moored in Dark Park – while others will unfold across Hobart’s cultural institutions and unexpected urban locations. Mona will also unveil new exhibitions, including Julian Charrière’s Hard Core and major installations integrated into its architecture.
The State Library and Archives of Tasmania will also be hosting All the fires come alive – an event where you’ll be able to “uncover arcane knowledge, spirits and alchemy” with the artwork of Marion Abraham, Ursula Woods and more.
Film program
This year’s Dark Mofo film program will take place at the State Cinema from 11-21 June. According to the Dark Mofo Films site, this year’s film program “follows lives pressed to the edge of endurance, as characters seek release through ritual, intimacy, intoxication and control.” Screenings include:
- Stone
- Metal Skin
- Sirât
- The Zone of Interest
- Titane
- Perfect Days
- Blaze
- Noise
- The Cars That Ate Paris
- Uncut Gems
- Razorback
- This Is England
- Head On
- Aftersun
- Somersault.
Dance performance and experimental works
SOLAS – Candela Capitán, Dark Mofo 2023.
The performance program foregrounds physical, politically charged and experimental works from international artists. Featured artists include:
- Candela Capitán
- Kiyo Gutiérrez
- Regina José Galindo
- Chunxiao Qu
- large-scale live works from Lolo & Sosaku and Ruben Bellinkx.
These performances explore themes of the body, power and resistance, often staged in immersive or unconventional environments throughout the city.
Food program
The Winter Feast returns as the festival’s central food hub, taking over Princes Wharf and Salamanca Lawns. This year features collaborations between international and local chefs, including Floriano Pelligrino and Roberto Mele, alongside a lineup of stallholders and live music.
Food remains a key part of the Dark Mofo experience, anchoring the festival’s communal atmosphere during the coldest nights of the year.
Other events and rituals
Nude Solstice Swim at Dark Mofo 2025.
Dark Mofo’s signature rituals return, including:
- Night Mass
- the Ogoh-Ogoh procession
- the Nude Solstice Swim at Long Beach.
There’s also a new as-yet-undisclosed event called Help Me Through The World that is described only on the site as “Filth, finery, and a full bar.”
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets go on sale to subscribers (you can subscribe on the Dark Mofo website) from 10am Wednesday 1 April AEDT, with general sales opening from midday the same day. More information and subscriptions are available via the official Dark Mofo website.
When and where is the festival?
Dark Mofo 2026 runs from 11–22 June across Hobart, with events extending to Launceston and other locations across Tasmania.
Key sites include the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), theatres, warehouses, a deconsecrated church, and even the Spirit of Tasmania V, which will be moored as part of the festival footprint.
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