Hobart's Dark Mofo festival cancelled for 2024

Hobart's popular winter tourist festival, Dark Mofo, has been cancelled for 2024 with new artistic director Chris Twite making the announcement on Hobart's waterfront this morning.

Festival organisers hope the cancellation will allow for a “period of renewal” amid “rising costs” and set the event up for a "full return" in 2025.

Twite advised two staples of the festival — the Winter Fest and Nude Solstice Swim — would still go ahead next year, but without the rest of the festival, after reaching an agreement with the Tasmanian Government.

Next year was to be Twite's first Dark Mofo, after long-time artistic director Leigh Carmichael stepped down from the role following this year's festival.

Twite shared "Whilst it's a tough decision, it allows us the time to ensure we have a festival for another decade of darkness.

"It allows us to face, head-on, rising costs and changing conditions to ensure that future for a full return in 2025, and to lay the foundation for the festival for another decade."

Since Dark Mofo’s inception back in 2013, the festival has felt the weight of shifting conditions and the burden of escalating costs. While 2023 left an indelible mark, it also exacted its toll, prompting the decision to pause, reflect and plan out a more sustainable future.

Image. Credit: Dark Mofo