Festival of Voices returns to warm Tasmania’s winter

TASMANIA’S winter once again came alive with music as the 21st Festival of Voices brought thousands of singers, performers and audiences together for a statewide celebration of song.
Running from 3 to 12 July, the annual festival featured community choirs, headline concerts, workshops, regional events and pop-up performances, transforming venues across the state into spaces for music, storytelling and connection.

Festival of Voices Artistic Director Shaun Rennie said this year’s program celebrated the extraordinary breadth and power of the human voice
“I’m absolutely thrilled to see the festival return with an extraordinary program as voices from across Tasmania, Australia and beyond came together to warm winter through song,” he said.
“The Festival of Voices has always been about connection, bringing people together through singing, storytelling and shared experience and we were thrilled to see that come to life again this year.”
The festival featured around 3,500 singers, more than 260 pop-up performances, 98 ticketed events and more than 380 events across Tasmania, making it the largest program in the festival’s history.

Highlights included performances by Casey Donovan, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, David Campbell, Tom Thum, Xani Kolac and The Wolfe Brothers’ Tom Wolfe, alongside workshops, regional events and community choir performances.

This year’s program also introduced the new Salamanca@6 performance series, showcasing Tasmanian musicians, while Choir Lounge and the popular Singers’ Lounge once again provided welcoming spaces for artists, choir members and audiences to come together.
Mr Rennie said the diversity of the program was what made the festival so special.

“Whether it’s a major ticketed performance, a spontaneous singalong, a workshop or a community choir event, there is something in this festival for everyone, no matter their singing ability or inclination,” he said.

Mayor Anna Reynolds said the City of Hobart was proud to support an event that had become a highlight of Tasmania’s winter calendar.
“With more than 35,000 attendees in 2025 and an estimated $4.7 million in direct visitor expenditure, the festival plays a vital role in driving winter visitation, supporting local businesses and energising our night-time economy,” she said.