Be welcomed by friendly locals and creative communities for a series of collaborative events across three weeks to discover the treasures of East Gippsland. The festival salutes winter’s long nights with pop-up events, lavish winter feasts, art installations, lantern parades, tours and workshops.

East Gippsland’s wonders extend well beyond the glorious lakes and coastline, with charming villages, high country road trips and a bounty of exceptional epicurean experiences. The region is home to celebrated winemakers, craft brewers and hatted restaurateurs who create magic with locally grown produce and some of the world’s best wild-caught seafood.

Bairnsdale’s laneway will come to life with art and light projection at the Laneway Launch (18 Jun, Bairnsdale) illuminating the town and creating a merry-festival-vibe with live music, roaming performers and food and wine offerings.

The festival will see collaborations between some of the region’s food and wine heavyweights. Lightfoot & Sons Wines and SARDINE eatery + bar pair up for the Pinot Picnic (20 Jun, Calulu near Bairnsdale) to celebrate all things Pinot Noir. Snuggle into Lightfoot’s barrel room for a masterclass, then bask under enormous wintry skies on the deck or lawns with a delectable picnic box.

Be spellbound by the Lakes Light Festival (26 Jun, Lakes Entrance) with a parade of lanterns, weaving around lit-up sculptures that pay homage to the region’s flora and fauna. Bask in the glow of the laneway light projections and a jetty-side virtual reality installation.

Take part in a Lantern Making Workshop at the Great Alpine Gallery (29 Jun, Swifts Creek) and create a beautiful star lantern to hang in the street and help light up the charming High Country village along the iconic Great Alpine Road. Embrace the best of winter in East Gippsland.

Full festival program to be announced early May. Sign up to our mailing list to stay in the know.

This event is receiving funding through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery grants program, an Australian Government bushfire recovery initiative.