We’ve almost reached the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year. Embrace the darkness and the winter chill with celebrations and festivities around Melbourne. Warm up by roaring fires, feast on hearty winter meals and welcome new beginnings with the promise of sunlight and springtime. This year, the winter solstice will take place on Friday June 21. We’ve found some lovely winter solstice festivities happening around Melbourne, as well as further out in Victoria.
1. Scienceworks After Dark
Scienceworks is throwing open their doors after hours to celebrate the winter solstice. See exhibitions, explore solstice-themed craft pop-ups, watch a Planetarium Show and more. This adults-only event will run from 6pm to 10pm on Friday June 21.
đź“Ť2 Booker St, Spotswood VIC 3015
2. Seaworks Winter Solstice Festival
Celebrate the longest night of the year at the Seaworks Winter Solstice Festival in Williamstown. Look forward to market stalls, giant puppets, circus performers, live music and plenty of food and drink. Entry is free, and the event will run from 5pm to 10pm on Friday June 21. Learn more here.
đź“Ť82/82 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016
3. 21st Bonfire at Collingwood Children’s Farm
Collingwood Children’s Farm is celebrating the 21th anniversary of their beloved Winter Solstice Bonfire. As you can guess from the name, there will be a massive bonfire to mark the solstice, as well as dance performances, roving entertainers, face painters, music and more. There will also be plenty of delicious food and drink, including mulled wine and cake. The event will run from 3pm to 8pm, with the fire starting at 6pm on Saturday June 22. Find tickets here.
18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
4. Winter Solstice Wine Bar at Montsalvat
Montsalvat is celebrating the season with a special Winter Solstice edition of their weekly Wine Bar event. Sip on a special Negroni blend from Naught Gin, as well as mulled wine and mulled cider. There will also be live music, a roaring fire and gourmet toasties. Check it out from 4pm to 9pm at the Barn Gallery in Montsalvat. See more here.
7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham VIC 3095
5. Belgrave Lantern Festival
Embrace the longest night of the year at the Belgrave Lantern Festival. Take part in a dazzling lantern parade on Saturday June 22, and journey around the community. The entire community will light up with art and craft stalls, music, workshops, circus, music and firepits to discover. There will also be lantern-making workshops at Belgrave Library in the lead-up to the festival, but you’re welcome to bring your own on the night. Festivities will run from 5pm to 8pm. See more here.
Belgrave VIC 3160
6. Eynesbury Winter Festival
Head out to Eynesbury on Saturday June 29, and celebrate their solstice event from 5pm. On top of the usual festivities, like ice skating, they’ll have a bonfire and fire performers to light up the night. There will also be food trucks, a DJ and even fireworks from 8:30pm. More details here.
487 Eynesbury Rd, Eynesbury VIC 3338
7. Nightide
Queenscliff is celebrating the winter solstice with fireworks, live music, pop-up bars and roving entertainers. Heat up in a sauna, or plunge into an ice bath. Entry is free, but there are additional ticketed events for you to try, like a solstice swim or a VIP party. The Nightide solstice festival will take over Queenscliff on Saturday June 22, from 5pm to 9pm. Learn more here.
đź“Ť1 Harbour St, Queenscliff VIC 3225
8. The Shortest Lunch
Treat yourself to a day sipping wine around the Yarra Valley at The Shortest Lunch. Visit nine small-batch wine producers, meet the makers, and pair your wine with delicious food. Take in sweeping views and heat up by roaring fires. This year, there’s also some cool wine-themed quests for you to try. The Shortest Lunch will take place on Saturday June 22 and Sunday June 23, in celebration of the winter solstice.
Yarra Valley
9. Mansfield Lantern Festival
Celebrate the longest night of the year at Mansfield Lantern Festival. Head to the High Country and stay warm against the winter chill with a lantern parade, market stalls, performers, open fires and more. Check it out on Saturday June 22 from 4pm to 9pm. Learn more here.
đź“ŤMansfield
10. East Gippsland Winter Festival
The annual East Gippsland Winter Festival is lighting up the region from June 21 to July 21. And with over 100 events to look forward to, you can bet that some of them will be celebrating the winter solstice. Go for a sunrise swim, heat up in a sauna, check out the festival’s opening party and more. Explore the full program here.
East Gippsland