Dark Mofo’s return to full programming this year resulted in a slight decrease in interstate visitors, but an uptick in local attendees.

The winter music and arts festival is one of Tasmania’s big draw cards during the quieter winter tourism season.

Home of the famous nude solstice swim, experimental art displays and late night dance parties, 119,196 people attended the festival in 2025.

People doing the nude solstice swim.

Thousands take part in the nude solstice swim this year. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

This was up from 116,643 people in 2023, which was the last year of full programming before the program took a hiatus in 2024.

Dark Mofo cancelled

Hobart’s popular winter tourist drawcard, Dark Mofo, is cancelled for 2024, but two festival staples — the Winter Fest and Nude Solstice Swim — will still go ahead. 

The festival’s artistic director Chris Twite said there was a slight decrease in interstate visitors — down to 49,000 in 2025 compared to 52,000 in 2023.

Attendance20232025Unique attendance116,643119,196Interstate attendance52,04549,298Total interstate & overseas attendance53,80151,341

“I think budgets are tightening for everyone around the country,” Mr Twite said.

“But we are so excited to see an increased number in Tasmanian visitors coming to Dark Mofo; seeing more people moving around the state is great.”Man leans on a bar, posing for photo with red curtain behind him

Mr Twite has been Dark Mofo’s artistic director since 2023. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

Dates for next year

On Monday, the organisers announced the 2026 festival would kick off on Thursday, June 11 and conclude with the nude solstice swim on Monday, June 22.

The state government has invested $21.6 million to support the delivery of the festival through to 2027.

A briefing to the Tasmanian arts minister, obtained by the ABC, warned the local arts sector was “nationally uncompetitive and highly vulnerable” due to “sub-optimal” investment. 

A procession and the pirie burning of an ogoh-ogoh for Dark Mofo.

This year’s Ogoh-Ogoh effigy was in the shape of an endangered Maugean skate. (ABC News: Scout Wallen)

Clarion call for ‘highly vulnerable’ underfunded Tasmanian arts

“Dangerously low” arts sector funding has rendered the Tasmanian industry “highly vulnerable”, with funding stagnant since 2016-17, the state government has conceded.

Mr Twite said he was very grateful to the state government for their support of the festival.

“Tasmania is an incredibly creative place,” he said.

“It is a privilege to be able to profile so many Tasmanian artists and musicians as part of the festival.

“That is part of our big push to make sure that we support Tasmanian culture each year.”