The East Gippsland Winter Festival continues its month-long celebration with major events still ahead this July.
Two weeks into its fifth year, the East Gippsland Winter Festival has already delivered spectacular opening weekend events including the medieval fire festival in Bruthen and the polar plunge at Lakes Entrance. But festival-goers shouldn’t worry about missing out – some of the biggest drawcards are yet to come as the month-long celebration continues until 20 July.
The East Gippsland Winter Festival spans the entire region from Mallacoota to Omeo, transforming winter into a month of fire shows, lantern parades, comedy performances and culinary experiences. Originally created in response to the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires, the festival now attracts over 27,000 attendees annually and involves more than 280 local businesses.
East Gippsland Winter Festival
- When: Until 20 July
- Where: Across East Gippsland region
- More information: egwinterfest.com.au
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Major events still to come
The festival’s signature event Lakes Lights takes place on 12 July at Lakes Entrance, transforming the foreshore into a magical wonderland of artist-made lantern sculptures, roaming performers and lighting projections. Food trucks, fire pits and live music complete the mesmerising spectacle that has become the festival’s most anticipated annual event.
Comedy fans have multiple opportunities to catch top-tier performances. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow arrives in East Gippsland on 5 July, while children’s comedian Mr Snotbottom brings his deliberately disgusting brand of humour on 11 July, complete with a kids’ workshop teaching professional comedy skills.
Fire and ice combine at Metung on 5 July for a family-friendly spectacular featuring live ice carving demonstrations overlooking Bancroft Bay. As darkness falls, a spectacular fire show will captivate audiences before the magical lakeside lantern parade begins.
Food and Fire at Wyanga has added a new date on 11 July for those who missed earlier sessions. The five-course feast features local ingredients paired with signature wines, flaming cocktails and local beers around glowing fire pits in a cosy bush setting.
Music and entertainment across the region
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Local musicians feature prominently throughout the remaining program. Todd Cook & The Rufous Whistlers launch their sixth album on 4 July with intimate storytelling and foot-stomping acoustics, while Elfi launches her debut album Gypsy Soul at Bruthen Inn on 6 July with original songs celebrating nature and human connection.
The Snowy Steampunk Soiree on 18 July offers twilight drinks in vintage-industrial style on the newly restored Snowy Rail Bridge, celebrating the historic structure’s new life with steaming spiced beverages and live music.
Family-friendly adventures and workshops
Families can explore Raymond Island’s koala sanctuary through guided walking tours on 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 July. These hour-long experiences guarantee koala sightings in their natural environment, with wildlife carer Josh Neille making a special appearance on 13 July.
The Buchan Foothills Festival of Colour on 4 July promises magical family entertainment with a community lantern parade leading to a neon dance party complete with light-up dance floor, roaming entertainers, face painting and food stalls.
Creative workshops continue throughout July, including sourdough making on Raymond Island, preserve making masterclasses teaching traditional nanna skills, and lantern making workshops in preparation for the various parades across the region.
Active participants can join paddling adventures combining stand-up paddleboarding with floating sauna sessions on the Gippsland Lakes. The Koho Sauna night sessions offer evening sweat sessions alternating between Scandinavian-inspired wood-fired saunas and refreshing lake cool-offs.
The Far East region hosts ecstatic dance gatherings and sound bowl activations, while yoga sessions, meditation workshops and cold plunge experiences provide wellness-focused alternatives to the high-energy entertainment options.
Community celebration and economic impact
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Festival founder Adam Bloem reports the opening weekend exceeded expectations with perfect weather and strong attendance. The Gippsland Jersey Winter Solstice Swim attracted around 300 participants, while the Bruthen Medieval Fire Festival drew over 2,000 people.
The festival directly involves over 280 local businesses and 190 volunteers, providing significant economic benefits across the region. Originally created to help regenerate East Gippsland after the Black Summer Bushfires, the festival has grown into one of Australia’s largest and most diverse winter programs.
With support from the Victorian government and East Gippsland Shire Council, plus partnerships with local businesses and tourism organisations, the festival showcases the region’s resilience and community spirit while attracting visitors from across Victoria and beyond.
The remaining program includes over 50 events spanning comedy, music, food, adventure activities, workshops and family entertainment. Many events are free, ensuring accessibility for all ages, interests and budgets as the festival celebrates its fifth successful year.
For more information, head here.
