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- Beaker Street Festival Unveils Hobartica Program for 2026
The countdown is on for the 2026 Beaker Street Festival, with organisers revealing the full program for Hobartica – an Antarctic-inspired precinct set to transform Hobart’s waterfront into a lively celebration of science, culture and winter from 6–9 August.
Beaker Street Festival is Tasmania’s annual celebration of science, art and culture, bringing together leading thinkers, performers and curious minds from across Australia.
Returning as part of the festival’s 10th anniversary celebrations, Hobartica will bring more than 20 mostly free events to Mawson Place and the waterfront, inviting locals and visitors to experience one of the world’s five Antarctic gateway cities in a unique way.
Festival Founder and Creative Director Dr Margo Adler said Hobart’s strong connection to Antarctica makes winter the perfect time to celebrate the people, science and stories that shape Australia’s Antarctic program.
Visitors can explore an Antarctic village complete with an Antarctic Night Market, geodesic domes, open fires, live music, science experiences, local food and drinks, and opportunities to meet scientists, researchers and artists connected with life on The Ice.
One of the precinct’s signature experiences returns with the Polar Plunge Challenge, where participants can immerse themselves in icy water before warming up with a hot drink and taking home a commemorative POLARoid photo and limited-edition patch designed by Tasmanian artist Kat Scarlet.
Inside the Waterside Pavilion, the Antarctic Lounge will host live bands, dancing, Antarctic-inspired cocktails, Science Open Mic sessions and the ever-popular Antarctic PowerPoint Karaoke, while Celestial Sessions will offer immersive live music performances inside an eight-metre geodesic dome.
Families can enjoy hands-on activities including Krill Making workshops with scientists and artists, while history enthusiasts can step behind the scenes at the State Library and Archives to view rare journals, books and artefacts from the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. Visitors can also experience the Antarctica is Melting photography exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum exhibition space, featuring powerful images captured across six Antarctic expeditions by photographer David Neilson.
The program also features a series of Antarctic talks from leading researchers, covering topics including oceanography, ancient DNA and whale migration.
Beyond the waterfront, Beaker Street Festival continues across Hobart with a BioBlitz on kunanyi / Mount Wellington, where participants can join scientists and Aboriginal knowledge holders to document local wildlife, while the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery will host gaming experiences exploring the science behind cognitive development.
The festival’s second weekend shifts into the Epicentre precinct, where a free street party will bring Market Place to life with live music, science-inspired performances, silent films, Beaker Street Radio and the finals of the popular PowerPoint Karaoke competition. The much-loved Roving Scientist Bar also returns, giving festival-goers the chance to chat with almost 150 scientists in an informal setting.
Running from 6–17 August 2026, Beaker Street Festival continues to showcase Tasmania’s reputation as a place where science, creativity and community come together through a program of thought-provoking events and memorable experiences.
For the full program and tickets, visit www.beakerstreet.com.au.