Winter Feast 2024: Special sensory-friendly sessions making the ‘world of difference’, say families

Winter Feast 2024 is attracting big crowds – but there are special private sessions making the world of difference for some families. See the gallery >>

Private sensory-friendly sessions are helping all Tasmanian families to feel welcomed to the 2024 Winter Feast.

Youth Leaders of Tasmania in partnership with Dark Mofo have helped to develop a sensory-friendly festival space for people with a disability and their families.

Young Leaders of Tasmania (YLOT) CEO Keren Franks said the bonfire space – complete with marshmallows to toast – helped people enjoy the iconic Tasmanian festival without being overwhelmed and was an example for other events in the state.

Hobart Family Dani and Mark Hinder with daughters Grace and Amelie, 10, toasting marshmallows at the City of Hobart Winter Feast sensory session. Picture: Linda Higginson

“It’s a relatively small addition to the festival, but it makes the world of difference for families of children with sensory issues,” she said.

Young leaders from YLOT’s buddy programs are also on-site, providing assistance and communication support to families.

GALLERY: Winter Feast 2024

The first of the two 45-minute-long sessions on Sunday sold out, with the next session on Sunday June 23 still open for registration.

Amelie Hinder, aged 10, enjoying bubbles and lights at the City of Hobart Winter Feast sensory session. Picture: Linda Higginson

These sensory sessions are part of the Winter Feast’s broader access program, which includes a Quiet Area and Visual Story, created with Autism Tasmania, for the first time.

DarkLab executive producer Melissa Edwards said Dark Mofo’s focus on accessibility came down to ensuring everyone found their “place” to celebrate in winter.

Dark Mofo brought inrecord entries on Saturday eveningand continued the trend on Sunday with the event’s free entry.

The City of Hobart Winter Feast. Picture: Linda Higginson

Ensuring they were on brand with the dark and moody Winter Feast were Tasmanian street food business Kiltro, featuring a Dark Paella on their menu.

Kiltro owners Caro Montero and Andrea Comino are regulars at the local Salamanca Markets and have been involved with Dark Mofo since 2019.

The City of Hobart Winter Feast. Kiltro owners Andrea Comino and Caro Montero with their Dark Paella dish. Picture: Linda Higginson

The couple focused their typical Spanish cuisine around the Winter Feast, reinventing their paella into a black squid ink-infused dish with splashes of colour.

“We wanted dark and moody, plus the beautiful local seafood to shine,” Ms Montero said.

“It’s very dramatic on a plate.”

Using Tasmanian squid and scallops, plus Tasmanian apples for their spiced sangria, Kiltro also combines the best ingredients from Spain, including bomba rice and olive oil.

“We use what is best and what will make the dish sing,” Mr Comino said.

“The rice and olive oil will work best for the paella, but the seafood will only be good if it’s from Tasmania.”

The Winter Feast will return this weekend from Thursday June 20 to Sunday 23.

Originally published as Winter Feast 2024: Special sensory-friendly sessions making the ‘world of difference’, say families