Festivale is an ideal time to visit the nation’s 3rd oldest city.  With a population of just over 100, 000, you’ll find Launceston keeps a cultural pace comparable to that of a larger city and offers the facilities to support their burgeoning tourism events - Festivale 2012 amongst them.  Situated outdoors amongst the elms of Launceston City Park, you’ll be amazed at how the spacious locale quickly fills up with happy festival-goers, locals and tourists alike.

The popular Festivale 3 Day Pass for $40 is available via pre-purchase, either online or directly through the Launceston Travel and Information Centre – they won’t be sold at the gate.

Children U/14 free when accompanied by an adult.

 

What started off as a multicultural street party event 24 years ago has now become a major multi-award winning tourism event.  In the 90’s, this volunteer run Festivale moved to Launceston City Park where it remains today.  The focus of this event is a celebration of Tasmanian food, wine, beer, arts and entertainment, with a definite emphasis on culinary culture.  

Over the 2012 Festivale weekend around 70 food and beverage stalls will be showcasing their wares, while the other vast entertainment options will keep a smile on your face while you wander around until your next feed.  Local bands and dancers will keep the location rhythmically vibing and visually pleasing; meanwhile roving performers will evoke a sense of wonder, with a line up that includes more than a few jaw-dropping “how did they do that” presenters.
   

Festivale Focus on Food

Festivale’s food focus is one of the many reasons for its outstanding reputation as one of Australia’s best food and wine festivals.  With a focus on Tasmanian produce, you’ll surely discover your favourite restaurants delivering their signature dishes from the kiosk stalls.  With an eyes-wide-open approach to the abundant food options on display, you’re also likely to discover new specialities for emerging entrepreneurs who’ve decided to share their take on Tasmania’s best produce.  

A preview of their Festivale 2012 Program may help you suss out your personal must try stalls and select important maybes.

Big name Delicious Magazine food editor, Valli Little will be in attendance as a judge for the Best Stall Awards; winners will receive their coveted plate rating concluding the event.  Her widely read magazine is also working further with Festivale, hosting a promotional competition with an exciting prize.  Read more about this super food experience that they’re offering one lucky winner and guest.  

Tasmania is famous for world-class wines, beers & cider and their Master Class series is an ideal way to be entertained and educated simultaneously.  Partake in discussion with industry expert Andrew Pirie in ‘Passion for Pinot’ or experience Karina Damberg’s ‘Sparkling Sensations’ colloquium.  We’ve heard a lot about wine matching, how about picking James Boag’s brain about beer matching in ‘Four Beers, Four Cheeses’.

You can book your tickets at the Launceston Travel & Information Centre and find out more details on the Festivale website.  Other Master Classes include: Making the Most of your Wine cellar, The Regional Series (focusing on the Tamar Valley Wine Route), Micro-Brewers-The Tasmanian Experience and the Plumm Wine Glass Experience.

This year marks the inaugural Festivale Wine Awards, open to all wine stallholders at the 2012 event.   The following classes will be awarded: Sparkling, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  All stallholders are welcome to submit their wine for judging.  Winsor Dobbin, freelance feature writer specialising in food, wine and travel and James Welsh, sommelier at Stillwater and Black Cow restaurants.

Winners will be announced on Thursday 9 February 2012 at the official launch of Festivale 2012. 

For the Children

Festivale offers a parenting service in the children's area. Explore Kid’s Kingdom for children's activities including workshops for kids (zumba anyone?) and face painting.

Event Guide – Festival Line Up

Festivale is ever-expanding their musical line up and now features two fully rostered stages, Frontline and KPMG. Friday night you’ll find Daryl Braithwaite at Frontline, Saturday’s big event is Richard Clapton, and Bobby Fox & The Treatment will close down Festivale on Sunday afternoon.

Don’t forget to snap shots with your phone or bring your camera to Festivale!  You can submit prize winning photos for two weeks following the event for a chance to win.

Entry is free.

Festivale Event Dates

10-12 February 2012

8-10 February 2013

7-9 February 2014

13-15 February 2015

Launceston Community News 

For those who love food and love Tasmania, good news!

This year Harvest Launceston commences, Tasmania’s Community Farmers’ Market celebrating food and wine in Tasmania.  The market sells only food and beverages that are produced in Tasmania and is run within the Australian Farmers’ Market Association (AFMA) guidelines.  Launching Saturday 11 February, statewide producers, providores and farmers are welcome to participate.

New Year on Royal launched this year with great success so keep an eye out for next year's Festivale sponsored New Years event when working out your plans for the big celelbration.