We’ve almost reached the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year. Welcome the darkness and the winter chill with celebrations and festivities around Melbourne. Feel the heat from fire sculptures, 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 Sunday, June 21. If you’re looking for things to do, we’ve found some cool winter solstice events to try around Melbourne, as well as further out in Victoria.
‘Pin-drop night’ around Melbourne
Nine listening bars around Melbourne will synchronise for a ‘pin-drop’ moment at 6:24pm on Sunday, June 21, marking the start of the winter solstice with a shared hour of locally curated music. The venues are: Baby Driver, Bahama Gold, Bar Selecta, Common Cuts, Disuko, HER Music Room, Hope St Radio, LB’s Record Bar and Studio Amaro.
Winter Solstice at CERES in Brunswick East
CERES in Brunswick East is bringing back their Winter Solstice celebration. Stay out from 5pm to 10pm on Saturday night, sip on mulled wine and feast on locally-made food. Look forward to roving artist performers, fire performances, a mystic marketplace, live music and a fire sculpture finale. This event is for adults only, and the family-friendly night on Friday has already sold-out. Learn more here.
Winter Solstice Street Party in North Melbourne
Errol Street in North Melbourne will be bustling with activity for the Winter Solstice Street Party. Warm up with mulled wine and cocktails, go on a ghost walk, listen to live music, tuck into delicious food from local businesses and more. It’s on from 4pm to 9pm on June 20.
WinterLIVE at Abbotsford Convent
Abbotsford Convent is lighting up after dark with their WinterLive festival from June 20 to July 18. The precinct will be bustling with immersive sound, performance, film and installations. Kicking things off is a solstice sound bath with LA-based vocalist and sound meditation practitioner, Odeya Nini. The sound bath will run from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Oratory Building on June 20. Learn more here.
Scienceworks After Dark in Spotswood
This science museum will open their doors after hours to celebrate the winter solstice. Open to adults only, you’ll explore exhibitions, see a Planetarium show, enjoy live entertainment and more. Scienceworks After Dark will run from 6pm to 10pm on Saturday June 20. Learn more here.
Seaworks Winter Solstice Festival in Williamstown
Seaworks is getting the party started a little early with their Winter Solstice Festival on Friday, June 19. At this free, family-friendly event, you can expect circus performances, live music, DJs, delicious food and more. This event is on from 5pm to 9pm. Learn more here.
Belgrave Lantern Festival in Belgrave
Embrace the longest night of the year at the Belgrave Lantern Festival. Take part in a dazzling lantern parade on Saturday, June 20, and journey around the community. Along with the lanterns, there will be plenty of entertainment, food and more 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 3pm to 8pm, with the parade starting at sunset. See more here
Nightide Solstice Festival in Queenscliff
Experience a darker side to Queenscliff with their three-day solstice celebration, Nightide. Inspired by the Creatures of the Deep, you can expect roaring fires, tarot readers, food trucks, fire twirlers, burlesque shows, fireworks and more. The festivities will run from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21. Some events are free, while others require a ticket.
Sorrento Solstice Festival in Sorrento
Whisk yourself away to Sorrento, and celebrate the winter solstice. Back for its third year, the Sorrento Solstice Festival attracts over 10,000 people to the coast, where you can heat up with a massive burning effigy on the bay. At the festival, you’ll also find glowing lanterns, live music, DJs, food trucks and more. The festival will take place on Saturday, June 20, followed by a Solstice Swim on Sunday, June 21. This festival is free to attend!
The Shortest Lunch in the Yarra Valley
Whisk yourself away to the Yarra Valley for a weekend of wine tasting. Sample over 100 wines from over a dozen family-run wineries. Along the way, you’ll find hearty winter dishes, live music and more. The Shortest Lunch will take place on Saturday June 20 and Sunday June 21, in celebration of the winter solstice. Learn more here.
Solstice Glow at Mitchelton Winery in Nagambie
If you missed the solstice, Mitchelton Winery has got you covered with their Solstice Glow event on Saturday, June 27. Head to this historic estate in Nagambie, gather around the central bonfire and sip on mulled wine. Tuck into some hearty winter food, listen to live music and browse through market stalls. It’s free to attend, and on from 1pm to 6pm. Learn more here.
Mansfield Lantern Festival in Mansfield
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, street performers, open fires and more. The festival and parade itself will take place on June 20, and there will be additional events on the 19th and 21st, such as morning yoga. Learn more here.
Darker Days Festival in Bright
Dive into the darkness of winter with live music, dark beer and smoky food at Darker Days Festival in Bright. Find the festival at Bright Brewery from 12pm to 10:30pm on Saturday, June 20. Learn more here.
Solstice Search Party in Warrnambool
Warrnambool is embracing the darkness with the Solstice Search Party on Saturday, June 20. Head to Lake Pertobe and have fun with live music, neon installations, projections, food trucks and more. It’s free to attend, but you’ll need to register for a ticket. The party will run from 3pm to 8:30pm. Learn more here.
East Gippsland Winter Festival in East Gippsland
The East Gippsland Winter Festival is on from June 19 to July 19, and there’s a few things happening around the region in celebration of the winter solstice. Take part in yin yoga, go for a cool dip in a lake, visit an art gallery, feel the heat at a medieval fire festival and more. Check out the program here.
