10 hours of live music, more than 50 beers on tap, and a huge day out in Bright.
Bright’s biggest winter beer fest is coming up, warming punters from within with dancing, music, brewery tours, food trucks, entertainment and plenty of curious and delicious froths. Now in its eighth year, the community event will bring the quiet alpine town to life on Saturday 20 June.
Whether you’re already out regional or you’re up for a little weekend trip (Bright’s about a 3.5 hour drive from Melbourne), the festival offers the chance to check out one of Victoria’s most picturesque winter towns and sample a few local beers while you’re at it.
Darker Days 2026
- 12pm-10.30pm
- Saturday 20 June
- Bright Brewery, 121-123 Gavan Street, Bright
- Tickets are on sale now
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
View this post on Instagram
This year’s impressive lineup will be headlined by garage rock trio The Grogans, alongside British India founding member DJ Matt O, live looping singer-songwriter Lennon Paul, Melbourne-based pop artist Sophie Kelly, indie rockers Five Buck Kid and Sydney act Rageflower.
There’s plenty of action on tap with guest brewers from around the nation: Kaiju (VIC), Blackmans Brewery (VIC) and Bracket Brewing (NSW), with special international guests Garage Project (NZ) crossing the ditch for the event.
Real beer fanatics may be interested in the Brewery Tours held on Friday, giving punters a peek behind the curtain and getting everyone hyped for the next day. But if you’re not so keen on beer, not to worry – there will be wine, cider, spirits and a ton of other lip-smacking options to try.
Guests will also have the chance to shop local vendors, warm up by a crackling fireplace, and fill up on food from local businesses including baked potatoes, paella and donuts. There will be an inflatable igloo, popcorn and fairy floss for the little ones, as well as a pop-up by Blanc Space Tattoos for anyone who wants a permanent souvenir.
The party begins and ends with DJs on Hop Terrace. Stop by on Friday night and Sunday arvo to bookend the weekend with good vibes. With shuttle busses running back to Wangaratta and Harrietvile, there’s no excuse not to head on down.
The festival advises visitors to rug up in warm and waterproof clothing, because “there’s no such thing as being cold and wet, only underprepared”. Plus, they’re always looking for volunteers if you’re keen to lend a hand for a free ticket.
For more information and to get your Darker Days 2026 tickets, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Bright Brewery.
