The East Gippsland Winter Festival was created by a small team of passionate locals in the wake of the devastating 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires. After the successful inaugural festival in 2021, a not-for-profit company was setup to continue running the festival annually. East Gippsland Festivals Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee and is led by a volunteer board.

The EGWF aims to attract visitors to East Gippsland in the quiet off-peak winter period, stimulate economic activity and build community connection. It is designed to encourage collaboration and aims to showcase and celebrate East Gippsland’s world-class creative talents, award-winning local produce, rich cultural heritage and unique natural attractions.

The 2024 EGWF attracted over 6,000 visitors from outside the East Gippsland Shire and injected over $3 million into the local economy. Survey feedback shows that the festival has delivered many social benefits to the community including a greater sense of community and pride in the region.

The establishment of the festival has been largely thanks to a huge contribution by volunteers, grant funding and sponsorship from local businesses with both cash and in-kind contributions. The 2025 East Gippsland Winter Festival is supported by the Victorian Government via the Regional Events Fund, the East Gippsland Shire Council and dozens of festivals partners / sponsors listed here.

The team have ambitious plans to grow the festival into a highlight event across Regional Australia and further support local businesses and creatives, as well as increase community connection and inspire a regenerative and collaborative approach to the way we do things in East Gippsland.

We are now seeking support from the community to ensure the EGWF continues to not only survive, but to thrive! Your support will help establish and grow the following;

• A Community Events Fund to support community events organised by other volunteer-led not-for-profit organisations as part of the Winter Festival. We would love to provide much needed financial support to ensure these wonderful community events can continue to showcase local talent, attract visitors and support local businesses.

• FLOAT’s Artist Mentoring Program to support young and emerging artists to build skills, experience, confidence and networks whilst creating art installations for the EGWF.

• EGWF Marketing Pool to promote the festival, the region and all the wonderful businesses, artists and stakeholders involved to a wider audience. This will attract more visitors during the off-peak season, provide a greater boost to local businesses and help build economic resilience across the region.

Your support will also help ensure the team behind the scenes are paid fairly for the hard work they put in and therefore help the festival continue to grow and improve its sustainability into the future on all levels; financial, environmental, social and human.

Please consider making a donation, buying some raffle tickets, or becoming a festival sponsor today!