Lakes Entrance is preparing to anchor a diverse lineup of events for the upcoming East Gippsland Winter Festival, which runs for a full month from June 19 to July 19.
Originally established to support regional recovery following the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, the festival enters its sixth year as a key fixture for regional tourism, business, and community connection.
The month-long program features over 100 events spread across East Gippsland, with Lakes Entrance hosting a high concentration of the festival’s flagship family, food, and wellness activities.
A central highlight for the local community will be the Lakes Lights: Gardens of the Galaxy celebration on the Lakes Entrance Foreshore on Saturday, July 4. The evening will feature illuminated landscapes, lantern parades and artistic displays.
In preparation for the event, local families can participate in School Holiday Lantern Making Workshops at the Slipway from June 29 to July 3, while adults can join a Honkeytonk Hoedown Line Dance Workshop at the Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall on July 4.
The town’s creative and entertainment sectors are heavily featured throughout the month. Iceworks Studio will host two major art exhibitions launching on June 20 — Night Frock At Iceworks and Eat or Be Eaten — as well as live performances later in July, including Becoming (Again & Again): Songs, Stories & Wildness and the Wattle Haus Showcase.
At the Slipway Sheds, a community-focused environmental art project titled Walk, Clean Up & Create = Project Interrupt will take place from July 6 to 9.
Local dining and hospitality operators are also driving the program. Key culinary events include the Food & Fire dinner at Wyanga Park Winery on July 3, and the Garden to Ocean degustation featuring Sodafish and Brown Brothers Winery on July 12. For younger families, a Winter Wonderland Christmas Disco will be held at the Slipway on June 26.
Outdoor and wellness experiences taking advantage of the local waterways and natural environments include:
– The Gippsland Jersey Winter Dip at the Slipway on June 20.
– Kayak To Koho sauna experiences on June 21, 25, and 27, departing from Venture Out.
– The Progressive Paddlers Picnic hosted by Venture Out on June 27.
– A Moonlight Mood Sauna and Plunge session at Koho Sauna on July 2.
– The Mystery Ride & Dine through the Colquhoun Forest on July 11.
East Gippsland Shire Council continues its support of the festival through its Pathways to Growth Program. Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth noted that the event serves as a standout on the regional calendar, showcasing the creativity of local towns while driving vital visitation to regional retail, accommodation, and hospitality businesses.
