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East Gippsland Winter Festival returns with feasts, lanterns, music, workshops, and unique events its fifth year from 20 Jun - 20 Jul 2025

The East Gippsland Winter Festival returns with feasts, lantern parades, art, music, workshops, and unique events across the region, celebrating local culture and seasonal festivities throughout the month.

By news@gippsland - 29th April 2025 - Back to News

Embrace the cold and light up the longest nights at the East Gippsland Winter Festival, an epic month-long celebration of over 100 spectacular events. Back for its fifth year, the East Gippsland Winter Festival is set to bring a vibrant program of events popping up everywhere from the Gippsland Lakes villages, up to Omeo in the High Country and out to Cape Conran in the far east.

From 20 Jun - 20 Jul, celebrate the longest nights with over 100 spectacular events at East Gippsland's epic month-long Winter Festival

Expect lavish feasts and lantern parades, art installations, workshops and an array of pop-up events, all with a nod to the season. The month-long, region-wide program is so extensive that we can't possibly mention all of our favourite events, but here's a little taste.

Festival favourites returning this year include the Medieval Winter Fire Festival in Bruthen. Step back in time with glorious medieval costumes, ancient games and dancing, fire sword fighting, live music and a hearty feast around a raging bonfire.

Ignite the holidays

Fire & Ice @ Metung kicks off the school holidays with live ice sculpting and a spectacular fire show complete with Bancroft Bay Distillery cocktails, giant lawn games and delicious local fare. The much-loved Lakes Lights event on the Lakes Entrance Foreshore returns with a wonderland of lantern sculptures, roaming performers and lighting projections, food trucks and live music.

After the sell-out success of last year's Sodafish x Guy Grossi collab, the renowned Italian-Australian chef and media personality will be back for another spectacular event at Sodafish celebrating fresh local produce. Sailor's Grave Brewing's infamous Deep in the Weeds is back. This time at their brand new 'Dunetown' brewery in Marlo. Expect an epic night of weird and wonderful beers, delicious food and rocking tunes.

Explore glowing lanterns, projection art, soundscapes and Sea Hags as the Lakes Entrance foreshore becomes a Guardians-inspired wonderland

Winter festival highlights

New events on the horizon for this year's East Gippsland Winter Festival include a raucous Op Shop Ball in Cann River, and an Apres Ski Party in Lakes Entrance featuring a DJ, mulled wine, hot toddies, mouthwatering wintery food classics, a roaring fire and, of course, an apres ski dress code.

Also returning is one Victoria's most unique dining experiences, the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge Long Lunch. This decadent collaboration lunch showcases Gippsland's best produce, beer and wine to a backdrop of glorious river views.

There'll be an irresistible new Bottomless Cocktail Brunch in Paynesville, where you can enjoy waterfront views, a delicious brunch menu and Bancroft Bay's signature gin, vodka, and agave. With such an all-killer-no-filler program, we've barely scratched the surface of what's on offer at the East Gippsland Winter Festival this year - so head to their program to find even more events to enjoy.

Step back in time with medieval games, flaming sword fights, lanterns, costumes, dancing, live music, fire shows, and fun!

Program highlights

Koho Sauna - Night Sessions

• Take advantage of Koho Sauna's hot-cold contrast therapy by simmering in the sauna and then taking a plunge into the lake
• Friday & Saturday nights during the festival

Bruthen Medieval Winter Fire Festival

• Dress up in your best costume and enjoy the bonfires at the Medieval Winter Fire Festival, before watching historical re-enactments that feature ancient games and swordplay
• Sat 21 Jun 3pm - 9pm

Nicholson River Trestle Bridge Long Lunch

• Enjoy lunch with a twist at this unique event, sprawled over the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge. Live music will keep you entertained while you dine on the very best local produce, including dessert by the legendary Long Paddock
• Sun 27 June - 12pm - 2pm

Fire and Ice @ Metung

• Enjoy spectacular fire and ice entertainment, live music and food. Watch a live ice carving performance, followed by a jaw-dropping fire breathing and juggling show
• Sat 5 Jul 3pm - 7pm

Lakes Lights - Lantern Parade

• Bring your own handmade lantern to carry in the parade - it's a sight not to be missed as the Lakes Entrance Foreshore comes alive with hundreds of lights
• Sat 12 Jul 5pm - 9pm

Snowy Steampunk Soiree, Orbost

• A one-night-only steampunk experience under the historic Snowy Rail Bridge. Warming hot toddies with a kick and delicious snacks will be served fireside, while the bridge transforms into a glowing hub of vintage-industrial wonder
• Fri 18 Jul 4pm - 7pm

Deep In The Weeds at Sailors Grave's Dunetown, Marlo

• Join Sailors Grave Brewing for a special 'Deep in the Weeds Festival' at their new Dunetown farmhouse brewery! Celebrate in style with great tunes, delicious food and of course, Sailors Grave's weird and wonderful beers!
• Sat 19 Jul 5pm - midnight

Pictures from Visit Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com