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Top 5 music festivals in Tassie this summer

Summer is here! Bring in the good vibes and shake it at these top music festivals around Tassie.

1. Mona Foma, 11th- 20th Jan. Launceston (City and surrounds)

Mona Foma brings the neon glittery weirdness to Launceston over two weeks in January, with 400 artists across 25 venues, and truly takes over the city. Expect the truly bizarre at Mona Foma. Our advice: just roll with it. The programs includes LA DJ Flying Lotus bringing a DJ set with 3D visuals, drag shows, larger than life puppet theatre, Paul Kelly and more. Events are all ages unless otherwise specified, but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times.The University is also an official partner of Mona Foma as of 2020, with some amazing opportunities to get involved, like our Architecture students did last year. Learn more on that here.

2. Cygnet Folk Festival, 10th- 12th Jan. Cygnet (Southern Tassie)

Every January the tiny town of Cygnet comes alive with music, dance, poetry, film, kid’s entertainment, food, art and bevvies. The music isn’t just limited to folk, there’s a bunch of funky tunes, including ethno, world, singer-songwriter, roots and acoustic. The festival has been running since 1982 and will guarantee some interesting people watching. It’s all ages, and there’s a Young Performer award, so if you fancy yourself a bit of a muso, why not try your hand in the competition.

3. Falls Festival, 29th Dec- 1st Jan. Marion Bay (Southern Tassie)

Falls Festival in Marion Bay has just celebrated its tenth year gracing our shores, so chances are you’re pretty familiar with the deal. Falls brings massive international acts Halsey, Vampire Weekend and Of Monsters and Men and local legends Luca Brasi, and this year is sure to be one for the ages. Speaking of, Falls Marion Bay is all ages. Ticket holders under 18 years must be accompanied by a ticket holding parent or responsible adult guardian recommended to be aged 25 years of older. Here at the University of Tasmania, we're the Official Education Partner for Marion Bay, and our students get to be a part of the festival. Check it out the video on that here.

4. Party in The Paddock, 6th- 8th Feb. White Hills (North East Tassie, near Launceston)

2020 is sadly going to see the final instalment of a really great, homegrown festival. Party In the Paddock started as a group of mates who wanted to party in a paddock near Launceston, and it has turned into one of Tassie’s finest festivals. With the stellar line-up including Matt Corby, Broods, Mallrat and Cosmo’s Midnight, PITP promises to go out in style. If you’re under 18 and planning to head to the festival, you must be accompanied by a sibling over 18 or a responsible adult over 21, and your parent or guardian must provide their consent using the consent form.  

5. A festival called Panama, 6th- 8th March, Lone Star Valley (North East Tassie)

Panama is a super special, intimate festival held in the forests of northern Tassie. Environmental impact is at the heart of Panama, and it aims to be zero waste, and has an annual clothing swap. Indie darlings Julia Jacklin and Aldous Harding headline and hugely talented and exciting line-up.  Farewell the end of Summer Only 1500 tickets are available, and they’ve already sold out, but you could try your luck nabbing a re-sale ticket from a reliable source.

Image Credit: Claudia Ciapocha.

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