Free fun on the waterfront: Taste of Summer Community Day returns

Published on 19 December 2025

The City of Hobart is inviting everyone to join the Taste of Summer Community Day on Wednesday 31 December from 12 pm to 4 pm, with free entry to the festival and a vibrant program of activities for all ages.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the Community Day was a wonderful opportunity for locals and visitors to come together and enjoy Hobart’s waterfront in a welcoming and inclusive way.

The City of Hobart Community Day will feature free family-friendly activities, including face painting and children’s entertainment, a full stage program with community performers, and creative opportunities such as making felt hearts for the 1000 Hearts initiative.

Visitors can also take home one of 200 kitchen herbs being given away, learn about local community programs, and contribute to a unique community tapestry led by local artist Lorenz Cherry, created from repurposed banners and designed to share messages of respect and kindness.

The City of Hobart is a major sponsor of the Taste of Summer, contributing $65,000 in cash and up to $400,000 in in-kind support for the 2025–26 event. Last year’s festival generated an estimated $16.4 million in economic activity, supported 290 Tasmanian artists and attracted more than 88,000 patrons.

The waterfront will be buzzing throughout the summer, with the Taste of Summer running from 27 December to 3 January, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race finish, and the City’s new Summer Series – two weeks of live music across the foreshore and four Sunday afternoon gigs in unique city locations during January and early February.

Quotes to be attributed to Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:

"The Taste of Summer is one of Hobart’s most loved events, and the Community Day is about making sure everyone can be part of the celebration.

"It’s a chance to enjoy great food, music and activities without any barriers, and to share messages of respect and kindness that reflect the values of our city.

"We’re proud to support initiatives that bring people together and celebrate what makes Hobart special.

"The Taste of Summer is a showcase of our city’s creativity and hospitality, and the Community Day is a highlight of the festival."

Quotes to be attributed to Taste of Summer general manager Katharine Dean:

“We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of the City of Hobart, which helps us make the Taste a festival that truly belongs to the whole community.

“Community Day is about giving back to the community, welcoming everyone in, and creating a relaxed, inclusive space for families, friends and visitors to enjoy the waterfront together.

“We’d encourage families to come down on New Year’s Eve during the day, enjoy the free entry, soak up the atmosphere and make it a special part of their celebrations before the night’s festivities begin.”