Australia’s iconic midwinter solstice festival, Dark Mofo, has confirmed a full return in 2025, promising a powerful lineup of art, music, and traditional rituals.

Known for its haunting, atmospheric celebrations, Dark Mofo 2025 will span from Thursday, 5 June, to Sunday, 15 June, with a special Nude Solstice Swim set for Saturday, 21 June. This annual event will once again transform Hobart, Tasmania, into a surreal winter wonderland of immersive experiences and cultural celebrations.

Return of Dark Mofo Rituals and Fan-Favourite Events

Dark Mofo’s beloved rituals and iconic events will make their much-anticipated comeback in 2025, giving attendees an opportunity to experience both new and classic aspects of the festival. The program will feature crowd favourites, including:

• Winter Feast: A communal dining experience that warms body and soul, the Winter Feast brings together local chefs, artisans, and food-lovers for an indulgent celebration of Tasmania’s finest winter produce.
• Ogoh-Ogoh: Drawing from Balinese traditions, the Ogoh-Ogoh ritual will return, where a fearsome effigy representing dark spirits is paraded through the streets before being ceremonially burned, symbolising release and renewal.
• Night Mass: Dark Mofo’s dynamic art and music takeover of Hobart’s CBD, Night Mass, is set to expand its presence and impact, introducing new spaces and performances that will envelop the city in nocturnal wonder.
• Nude Solstice Swim: As a bold finale, participants will gather to welcome the solstice with a brisk, bare dive into the chilly waters, a symbolic ritual celebrating renewal and self-liberation.

Limited Pre-Release for Night Mass Tickets

In response to growing interest, Dark Mofo organisers have announced a limited pre-release of tickets for Night Mass, the festival’s sprawling art and music extravaganza that will transform the city centre. Dark Mofo devotees who have pre-registered on the festival website will gain access to these early tickets starting Tuesday, 5 November, at 10 am. The Night Mass experience is known for its experimental performances, installations, and a fluid, unstructured approach that invites festival-goers to lose themselves in a maze of unique artistic expressions.

Artistic Director Chris Twite shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Dark Mofo is back. For our eleventh chapter, we’ll once again bathe Hobart in red and deliver two weeks of inspiring art, music, and ritual. Today we’re giving Dark Mofo devotees a chance to access a limited pre-release of tickets to the sprawling behemoth, Night Mass.”

Night Mass 2025: A Citywide Celebration of the Surreal

Artistic Director Twite hints at a bigger and bolder Night Mass in 2025, describing it as “a beast” that will “worm its way through the city with new spaces, performances, and experiences.” Known for its eclectic and immersive installations, Night Mass will offer festival-goers an expanded playground of otherworldly spaces to explore, with a mix of music, art, and ritual tailored to challenge and inspire. “It’s an experience that encourages you to dance, explore, or even crawl your way through,” Twite added.

Full Program Announcement Coming Soon

The complete Dark Mofo 2025 program is set to be unveiled next year, with organisers promising even more intriguing and experimental additions to the lineup. For those looking to stay in the loop on all Dark Mofo developments, sign-ups for festival updates are available on the Dark Mofo website at www.darkmofo.net.au.

Supported by the Tasmanian Government

Dark Mofo, a project of the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), continues to receive support from the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania, reinforcing its importance to the state’s cultural and tourism landscape. Dark Mofo’s return not only marks a celebration of art and ritual but also underscores Tasmania’s commitment to fostering cultural tourism, drawing visitors from across Australia and beyond to experience the unique midwinter spectacle.

Prepare for a return to the extraordinary as Dark Mofo 2025 promises to captivate, provoke, and inspire through two weeks of transformative experiences under the wintry Tasmanian skies.