Taste of Summer, Hobart
Tasmania’s summer food festival on Hobart’s Princes Wharf, 27 December 2026 to 3 January 2027: island producers, passes, a free Community Day and New Year’s Eve.
At a glance
- Eight days on Hobart’s waterfront, 27 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Tasmania’s food festival since 1988, formerly the Taste of Tasmania
- Provenance partners: named producers of oysters, scallops and cheese
- Free entry on Community Day, 31 December, noon to 4 pm
- Children 15 and under free with a parent or guardian
- A New Year’s Eve party on the wharf, 6 pm to 1:30 am
The 2026 edition, day by day
- Sun27Dec
- Mon28Dec
- Tue29Dec
- Wed30Dec
- Thu31Dec
- Fri1Jan
- Sat2Jan
- Sun3Jan
Weekend · 8 days · Dates confirmed
How the festival runs
Opening day 27 December
The festival opens on Sunday 27 December 2026 on Princes Wharf No. 1.
Community Day 31 December, noon to 4 pm
Free entry for everyone, with the City of Hobart.
New Year’s Eve party 31 December, 6 pm to 1:30 am
A ticketed party with The Potbelleez featuring Muma Megs, and two fireworks displays.
Closing day 3 January
The festival ends on Sunday 3 January 2027.
What to taste
Oysters
From Blue Heron Oysters and the Tasmania Oyster Company, two of the Provenance partners.
Bass Strait scallops
From Bass Strait Scallops, another named producer of the festival.
Bruny Island Cheese
The cheesemaker of Bruny Island, south of Hobart, on the Provenance list.
Seafood from Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods
A seafood producer among the Provenance partners.
Food from the world
Paella, tacos, Chilean empanadas, dumplings, pizza and barbecue on the stalls: “the world at our table”.
Tasmanian drinks
Wines, spirits and brews from the island.
The Taste of Summer has brought together artisans and makers from across the island “for almost forty years”, in Hobart since 1988. It was formerly known as the Taste of Tasmania. It opens on 27 December, after Christmas and in the middle of the southern summer, and runs to 3 January, with New Year’s Eve on the wharf as its high point.
“Proudly celebrating Tasmania’s finest, with the world at our table”, says the festival.
Producers with names
The festival lists its Provenance partners by name, from scallops and oysters to cheese.
“The oysters from our waters, the meat raised on our farms, the fruit picked from our orchards”, promises the festival.
- The Provenance Partnership: new for the 2026-27 edition, it groups 22 stalls, each using more than 80% Tasmanian ingredients and produce.
- On the stall list: island drink makers such as Cascade Brewery, LARK Distilling, Clover Hill Wines and Frank’s Cider, beside the Tasmanian Cheesery.
Music from noon each day
The festival opens at 12 pm every day and promises over 120 live performances.
- Opening night: Sneaky Sound System on the main stage on 27 December, after the Stall Awards presentation at 6 pm.
- Last act: Hot Dub Time Machine closes the festival.
Taste of Summer on Princes Wharf No. 1
“A short walk from Salamanca Place and around five minutes from Hobart’s CBD”, says the festival of its wharf.
Before you go
- Passes: a Day Pass for one festival day, a Taste Pass for all eight days, a Golden Ticket, and a separate New Year’s Eve ticket.
- Prices: no pass price was recorded in our check of 15 October 2026. See the official ticket page.
- Children: 15 and under enter free with a parent or guardian.
- Entrance: the main entrance is on Morrison Street, opposite Parliament House Gardens.
- Seats: the Tasman Yacht Club is a premium seated area, in ticketed sessions subject to availability.
- Alcohol: the minimum legal age to buy alcohol is 18.
Ways into the Taste of Summer 2026-27
| Ticket | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Day Pass | Entry on one eligible festival day |
| Taste Pass | All eight days |
| Golden Ticket | Eight days, the Tasman Yacht Club and the New Year’s Eve party |
| New Year’s Eve ticket | The party of 31 December, 6 pm to 1:30 am |
| Community Day | Free entry on 31 December, noon to 4 pm |
Source: Taste of Summer FAQ (read on 15 October 2026).
Frequently asked questions
When is the Taste of Summer 2026?
From Sunday 27 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, on Princes Wharf No. 1 in Hobart.
Is the Taste of Summer free?
Only on Community Day, 31 December from noon to 4 pm. Other days need a pass. Children 15 and under enter free with a parent or guardian.
Is the Taste of Summer the same as the Taste of Tasmania?
Yes. Taste of Summer is the festival’s current name. It has been held in Hobart since 1988.
What is the Taste Pass?
A pass for all eight days of the festival: “Eight days. One pass. No need to rush.”
Where is the entrance to the Taste of Summer?
On Morrison Street, opposite Parliament House Gardens, at Princes Wharf No. 1.
Who runs the Taste of Summer?
PinPoint Group, supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.
Sources
- Taste of Summer: official site (dates, venue, since 1988) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Taste of Summer: FAQ (passes, Community Day, New Year’s Eve, children, access, organiser) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Taste of Summer: food and drink (Provenance partners, stalls) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Taste of Summer: about consulted on October 15, 2026
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