Dark Mofo 2025: Economic impact on track to return to pre-hiatus levels
Modelling shows the economic impact of this year’s Dark Mofo is on track to surpass or at least equal that of 2023’s event, heralding a hugely successful new era for the iconic arts festival.
Tasmania
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Modelling from the City of Hobart suggests the economic impact of this year’s Dark Mofo is on track to surpass or at least equal that of 2023’s event, heralding a hugely successful new era for the state’s iconic arts festival.
After a bumper first week, week two of the festival wrapped up on Sunday with the Ogah Ogah procession and burning, drawing an estimated 20,000 people to Hobart’s Macquarie Point.
Alderman Louise Bloomfield said while still awaiting final figures, economic modelling indicated the festival had returned to 2023 levels.
“The festival contributed $54.3 million in 2023, with $51.5 million of that directly towards Hobart’s business community,” she said.
“In 2024, $40.8 million was contributed to the community, but given what we’re seeing, we expect this year’s figures to hit more like in 2023.”
The festival took a hiatus for a “period of renewal” last year in order to manage changing conditions and rising operational costs, stripping back its programming to its flagship Winter Feast and Nude Solstice Swim.
With the event having returned to full programming this year, Alderman Bloomfield said organisers had “recouped everything back to where we were”, providing a “well needed shot in the arm for small business and Hobart in general”.
“One of the cool things that works with Dark Mofo is its deep integration with the local community. Everyone’s included,” she said.
“We find Dark Mofo actually engages upwards 150 local businesses, and takings for the stalls have done extremely well relative to previous years.”
The success of this year’s event comes as welcome news for the state’s tourism industry, with Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills saying early attendance figures would provide confidence to “back in the state” as a thriving tourist destination.
Ms Hills said the three-year funding deal between the organisers and the Tasmanian Government, which ensures Dark Mofo’s future until at least 2027, was further indicative of this.
“The benefit of (Dark Mofo) is that it drives people here for the first time, they experience Tassie and enjoy what they have to offer and it prompts them to come back a second and third time to explore more of the state,” she said.
“People are looking at the stats and thinking ahead, and airlines are thinking about forward capacity, so the festival has much more far-reaching impacts across out visitor economy.
“It really speaks to our brand as it’s a unique opportunity to experience a festival you can’t get anywhere else.”
Research shows visitors to Dark Mofo stay an average of 4.4 nights and spend about $1400 per trip, with 97 per cent of intestate visitors saying they would return to Tasmania after the event.
Ms Hills said the event had also attracted a significant number of locals, highlighting the importance of free events and the festival’s expansion to Launceston for the state.
“It’s also interesting to note there was not a lot of outrage this year,” Alderman Bloomfield said.
“Dark Mofo is just something the community accepts and understand has a place to play.”
Dark Mofo Executive Director Melissa Edwards said the full-scale return had been “truly embraced by the community”.
“We have loved seeing local businesses and residents get on board,” she said.
“It has been incredible to celebrate the best of Tasmania, as well as showcase phenomenal artists, performers and musical acts from all over the world.”
The festival will officially end at sunrise on Saturday with the Nude Solstice Swim.
Free ticket allocation has been exhausted.
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Originally published as Dark Mofo 2025: Economic impact on track to return to pre-hiatus levels
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