Huon Valley Mid Winter Fest
​half hour south from Hobart, Tasmania

Dust off your tatters, top hats and pagan worshiping finery for a repeat performance of last year’s trail blazing Midwinter Winter Festival. If you haven’t sung to an apple tree whilst banging pots and pans by firelight lately, head to the Huon Valley to celebrate the regions apple picking history and join in the ages-old tradition of wassailing – basically scaring nasties out of the orchard’s cider trees to ensure a bumper autumn crop.

Winter Festival 2023 in the Huon Valley

The Apple Shed, Huon Highway, Grove 
14-15 July 2023 for feasting, cider, fire and folklore
Willie Smiths Apple Shed is the hottest hut in the Huon Valley: craft ciders, artisan cheeses, and plenty of space to sit, chat, roll in the hay, etc. They’ve partnered up with other like-minded locals to throw a mini mid-winter festival to celebrate the region’s apple-pickin’ history. There is limited onsite parking, or stay at one of the several accommodations nearby and get a taxi.

Winter-Fest Traditions

The purpose of wassailing is to awake the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the Autumn. The ceremonies of each wassail vary but they generally all have the same core elements. A wassail King and Queen lead the song and/or a processional tune to be played/sung from one orchard to the next, the wassail Queen will then be lifted up into the boughs of the tree where she will place toast soaked in Wassail from the Clayen Cup as a gift to the tree spirits (and to show the fruits created the previous year).
Then we will have the wassail which we want you all to join  in!
Old Apple tree we’ll wassail thee,
And hoping thou wilt bear.
The Lord does know where we shall be
To be merry another year.
To blow well and to bear well,
And so merry let us be.
Let every man drink up his cup
And health to the old apple tree.
Then we want you to sing and shout and bang drums and pots & pans and generally make a terrible racket until the gunsmen give a great final volley through the branches to make sure the work is done!
Buy your Huon Winter Festival Tickets Here

2022 Featured Music

2022 Costume Prizes

Let your imagination run as wild as the festival itself...
 
Inspired by pagan traditions, the earth and all its elements, the changing seasons and traditional Morris dancing costumes, we encourage festival goers to dress up and express themselves. The festival has a history of attracting huge crowds of attendees donning greenery, feathers, fur and leather, and with plenty of prize money to give out, it’s a good idea to get started early on creating your work of art! For inspiration you can visit our Instagram or Facebook page which will showcase some of the previous year’s costumes, and will give you an idea of the overall feel of the festival.

2022 Winter Food and Drink

Just a few samples here. Click for many more...

Where to stay near Huon Valley Winter Festival

One bedroom self contained cottage at Franklin, Tasmania

The Little Seed BnB at Franklin Tasmania
Franklin
Feel the stress wash away at
The Little Seed, an elegant, self contained cottage, in the hills above the Huon River at Franklin.

Classic weatherboard 3 bedroom cottage

Picture
Castle Forbes Bay
Self-contained 3 bedroom holiday home on the highway, 20 minutes south from the festival site. Mid Price.

Budget Accommodation

Busses and parking for Huon Valley Winter Festival 2022

We’re going to be in an all new location this year  – right in the heart of the Huon Valley at the RANELAGH RECREATION GROUNDS, 49 MARGUERITE STREET. This is a 30 minute drive south of Hobart.



FREE HUON VALLEY SHUTTLE
includes complimentary shuttle from Huonville, departing every 30 mins. Hobart return bus subject to availability. Kids under 12 Free


No tickets available at the door, sold out!

Festival location? 

Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, 2064 Huon Highway, Grove

How do I get to the festival?

Each ticket purchase includes return bus travel from Hobart or Huonville. – Huonville only on Sunday

HOBART BUS pick-up and drop-off is out the front of Hobart Brewing Co, Evans Street, Hobart. * possible subject to change

HUONVILLE BUS pick-up and drop-off is the bus station at the Skinners Drive Car Park Huonville. * possible subject to change

Is there parking at the festival?
There is NO PARKING at the festival this year.

Can I catch a taxi to the festival?
No.

Can I get my mate to drop me at the festival and then pick me up?
No,  but you could get them to drop you at the Huonville bus stop. 

Is the event 18+
This is an all-ages event.

Do the bars accept cash?
No. The bars are all cashless, you can pay with any Visa/Mastercard credit or debit card.

Is there wheelchair access?
Yes, there is, however, please be mindful that the event is located on uneven ground.  Please email us at midwinterfestival@williesmiths.com.au if we can assist you in any way. 

Do you accept companion cards?
Yes. Please contact: midwinterfestival@williesmiths.com.au to organise.

Will there be cash-out facilities on site?
No cash-out facilities are available at the festival.

Will there be vegetarian & vegan food options?
Yes 😊

Can I change my bus pick up/drop off location and or departure time? 

Please contact moshtix. 
Bus ticket changes will close 48 hours prior to he event start time. 

What ID will I need to bring with me?
Photo ID is required for age and name verification and for entry by e-ticket holders or on-demand. Any minor under 15 cannot enter except in company with a responsible adult or guardian in accord with the Liquor Act.

Can I bring my dog? 
No. 

Will my costume fit on the bus? 
We will make it fit. Undercarriage storage is availabale on the bus. 
More details will load below shortly......

Some previous years' program features
Three days and nights of mid winter fun 1/2 hour south from Hobart

17 July 2015

Folktastic Friday night at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival!
The Gypsy Dub Sound System, Guerilla Zingari, Lagoon Hill Zydeco, Bad Beef, The Dead Maggies & more!

17 July 2015

Dust off your tatters, top hats and pagan worshipping finery for a repeat performance of last year’s trail blazing Midwinter Winter Festival.
If you haven’t sung to an apple tree whilst banging pots and pans by firelight lately, head to the Huon Valley to celebrate the regions apple picking history and join in the ages-old tradition of wassailing – basically scaring nasties out of the orchard’s cider trees to ensure a bumper autumn crop.
Music from Mic Conway and his National Junk Band, Chupacabra, The Gypsy Dub Sound System, Lagoon Hill Zydeco, Guerilla Zingari and our very own Hairyman.

17 July 2015

Join us on the Sunday for a day of fun family activities including: Morris Dancing Workshops, Children's storytelling, Maypole dancing and many other family friendly activities.
There will of course be music from the likes of the Davidson Brothers, Mic Conway and his National Junk Band, Guerilla Zingari to ensure there is something for everyone!