The East Gippsland Winter Festival is in full swing, and if you’re loving the region, there’s a brand new festival for you to look forward to this spring. Get ready to celebrate all that Gippsland has to offer at the inaugural Eat Drink Play Gippsland. Split into two parts, the day will kick off with a focus on local produce and drinks. Then, when night falls, you’ll dance through the evening with live music. Find it at the Leongatha Railway Precinct on Saturday October 18.
Eat Drink Play Gippsland
This festival was co-created by South Gippsland Shire Council, Destination Gippsland and Wine Gippsland. It was brought to life by Dan Sims and the team behind Pinot Palooza and Mould, as well as The Hills Are Alive Group, creators of Ocean Sounds and NYE on the Hill.
At this inaugural festival, you can choose to stick around for the whole day, or opt for either a daytime or night-time ticket.
The Eat Drink session will run from 11am to 5pm. Receive a festival tote, a tasting glass and an event guide on arrival, then meander around to sip and sample the best wine, cheese, spirits, ciders and bites from around Gippsland.
Look forward to treats from local favourites like Trulli, Hogget Kitchen and Messmates, as well as dairy from Gippsland Jersey, Prom Country Cheese and Loch Cheese Merchant. Sip on tipples from winemakers like Fleet, The Wine Farm, Dirty Three, Patrick Sullivan, Xavier Wine and Lightfoot Wines. and explore spirits like Gurneys Cider, Loch Distillery and Sailors Grave Brewing.
There will be live music to keep the good vibes going, as well as food pairings and chats with the makers.
Meanwhile, the evening Play session will run from 6pm to 10pm. This open-air music festival will feature the Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Emma Donovan, as well as Gippsland’s rising star Steph Strings. Soak in the tunes, dance the night away, and keep your energy up with treats from bars and food stalls.
Times and tickets
Eat Drink – 11am to 5pm
Adult tickets are $35. Children aged 11 to 17 are $10. Kids under 10 are free.
Play – 6pm to 10pm
Adult tickets are $49. Children aged 11 to 17 are $25. Kids under 10 can enter for free.
Full day sessions
Adult tickets are $79, and children aged 11 to 17 are $29.