Dark Mofo organisers ‘very, very committed’ to running the event in 2021

The hugely popular Dark Mofo festival is set to bounce back after last year’s cancellation, with organisers “very, very committed” to the festival taking place this year.

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DARK Mofo organisers have confirmed the popular winter festival will go ahead this year, with dates to be announced on Friday.

Creative director Leigh Carmichael said his team was “very, very committed” to the festival taking place in 2021, with the financial backing of Mona owner David Walsh and the Tasmanian government.

The June festival, which began in 2013, is credited with turning around Tasmania’s traditionally bleak mid-year tourism period, bringing in thousands of visitors for the multi-night Winter Feast food event as well as art shows, concerts and the winter solstice nude swim.

A huge crowd packs out Night Mass during Dark Mofo 2019. Picture: JESSE HUNNIFORD/Dark Lab Media

Dark Mofo was cancelled last year due to coronavirus restrictions, depriving many artists and food and beverage producers of the winter boost they had come to enjoy.

Mr Carmichael said it was easier to plan the festival now that border restrictions and other government measures were more predictable.

“It would take a very big change to restrictions for us to not go ahead,” Mr Carmichael said.

“We understand the lay of the land a lot more now.”