1. A fire-breathing dragon sculpture next to a bonfire at the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
    Photograph: Naomi Rahim
  2. Two women in floral swim caps doing the Solstice Swim as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
    Naomi Rahim
  3. A giant glowing lantern bird at the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
    Photograph: Naomi Rahim
  4. Long tables lined up on Nicholson Trestle Bridge as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
    Photograph: Cassie Malosso Photography
  5. A large glowing coloured lantern in the shape of a fish.
    Photograph: Eclipse Photography
  6. Four women dressed in witchy outfits as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
    Photograph: Lauren Anderson Photography

East Gippsland Winter Festival

Embrace the chill with a wintery program packed with feasts, art installations, lantern parades, live music and more
  • Things to do, Fairs and festivals
  • Around Gippsland
Leah Glynn
Advertising

Time Out says

While winter seems like the time to hide under the doona and get reacquainted with your Netflix must-watch list, that is absolutely the wrong approach. Cold weather brings with it a kind of magic in the form of frosty air and clear, still views that seem to go on forever, and this is especially the case in regional Victoria. 

If you're keen to head on a cool-climate caper but aren't sure where to begin, you're in luck: the East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for its fifth iteration. Rug up and hit the road for a month-long celebration packed with lavish winter feasts, fantastical art installations, live music, lantern parades, creative workshops, wellness experiences and much more.

This year, the festivities kick off on June 20 and coincide with the Victorian school holidays. Returning highlights of the program include the Medieval Winter Fire Festival at Bruthen complete with swordfights, costumes and bonfires; a long lunch on the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge showcasing the region's best produce; live ice sculpting and a fire show at Meetung; and Lakes Lights – an incredible display of lantern sculptures, light projections and roaming performers on the foreshore of Lakes Entrance.

New events on the line-up include an après-ski party complete with mulled wine, hot toddies and DJs; the Op Shop Ball in Cann River, where attendees are encouraged to wear their finest oph shop garb; and the Great Alpine Scarecrow Competition.

And don't miss the sunrise dip in the Gippsland Lakes on June 21 – aka the winter solstice. This annual ritual is an invigorating experience that boosts immunity and mental clarity (don't worry, there'll be free hot coffee waiting for you afterwards).

These highlights only scratch the surface, with a total of more than 80 events stretching from Paynesville to Omeo and even out to Cape Conran. To browse the full program and start plotting your winter getaway, visit the East Gippsland Winter Festival website

Keen to get lit? Here are all of the light festivals happening in Melbourne this winter.

Details

Event website:
egwinterfest.com.au/
Address
Around Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Price:
Various
Opening hours:
Various times

Dates and times

Advertising
You may also like
You may also like