Three days of fire and festivity

QUEENSCLIFF’S winter solstice festival is returning after a year’s absence with its biggest program yet, expanding into a three-day celebration designed to draw visitors to the coast during the quieter winter months.

Nightide will transform the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal and surrounding foreshore from 19 to 21 June with fire, performance, live music, food and family-friendly entertainment.

Presented by Searoad Ferries and supported by Visit Victoria through the Victorian government’s Regional Events Fund, the festival has evolved into one of the Bellarine’s signature winter events since launching in 2023.

After taking a break in 2025, Searoad Ferries chief executive officer Matt McDonald said there was strong enthusiasm to see Nightide return in 2026.

“After two strong years, we had to pause Nightide in 2025, so bringing it back this year means a great deal to us and to the community,” he said.

“We know what events like this do for the region, particularly in winter, when visitation on the Bellarine drops.

“Queenscliff and the Victorian coast have a raw charm in the cooler months, and Nightide exists to celebrate exactly that.

“We’re proud to be doing it bigger this year, with the support of Visit Victoria.”

Alongside Nightide’s traditional main event on Saturday, this year’s event will include adults-only Nightide Fringe on Friday evening, a Solstice Feast at TARRA, a VIP experience at Sirens’ Grotto and a free family day on Sunday.

This year’s theme, Creatures of the Deep, draws on the mystery and mythology of the ocean with bioluminescent styling, sea-inspired performances and the festival’s signature bonfire all shaped by what lies beneath the surface.

Searoad Ferries’ Peter Wallace said the theme will be woven throughout the festival, influencing everything from styling and visual identity to its entertainment.

 

“We wanted something that had a bit of mystery, a bit of myth attached to it to really tap into that solstice vibe,” he said.

“Obviously, we’re situated right beside the bay and the ocean. Creatures of the Deep was, we thought, something we could have a lot of fun with.”

Wallace said businesses across Queenscliff had embraced the festival’s return, with accommodation providers, hospitality venues and tourism operators all finding ways to get involved.

“We really want to celebrate Queenscliff all year round,” he said.

“I don’t think Queenscliff is often associated with a place that you would go at that time of year – it’s very much a summer destination. To be able to bring the town alive at that time of year when it takes on a very different feel and does have a certain charm is super important to us.

“We’re super happy that the community’s got involved and that we can continue to put something on like this, especially in the current climate.”

Wallace said organisers hoped the expanded program would give people of all ages a reason to visit Queenscliff over the winter solstice weekend.

For more information, heaQueenscliff’s winter solstice festival is returning after a year’s absence with its biggest program yet, expanding into a three-day celebration designed to draw visitors to the coast during the quieter winter months.

Nightide will transform the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal and surrounding foreshore from 19 to 21 June with fire, performance, live music, food and family-friendly entertainment.

Presented by Searoad Ferries and supported by Visit Victoria through the Victorian government’s Regional Events Fund, the festival has evolved into one of the Bellarine’s signature winter events since launching in 2023.

After taking a break in 2025, Searoad Ferries chief executive officer Matt McDonald said there was strong enthusiasm to see Nightide return in 2026.

“After two strong years, we had to pause Nightide in 2025, so bringing it back this year means a great deal to us and to the community,” he said.

 

“We know what events like this do for the region, particularly in winter, when visitation on the Bellarine drops.

“Queenscliff and the Victorian coast have a raw charm in the cooler months, and Nightide exists to celebrate exactly that.

“We’re proud to be doing it bigger this year, with the support of Visit Victoria.”

Alongside Nightide’s traditional main event on Saturday, this year’s event will include adults-only Nightide Fringe on Friday evening, a Solstice Feast at TARRA, a VIP experience at Sirens’ Grotto and a free family day on Sunday.

This year’s theme, Creatures of the Deep, draws on the mystery and mythology of the ocean with bioluminescent styling, sea-inspired performances and the festival’s signature bonfire all shaped by what lies beneath the surface.

Searoad Ferries’ Peter Wallace said the theme will be woven throughout the festival, influencing everything from styling and visual identity to its entertainment.

“We wanted something that had a bit of mystery, a bit of myth attached to it to really tap into that solstice vibe,” he said.

“Obviously, we’re situated right beside the bay and the ocean. Creatures of the Deep was, we thought, something we could have a lot of fun with.”

Wallace said businesses across Queenscliff had embraced the festival’s return, with accommodation providers, hospitality venues and tourism operators all finding ways to get involved.

“We really want to celebrate Queenscliff all year round,” he said.

“I don’t think Queenscliff is often associated with a place that you would go at that time of year – it’s very much a summer destination. To be able to bring the town alive at that time of year when it takes on a very different feel and does have a certain charm is super important to us.

“We’re super happy that the community’s got involved and that we can continue to put something on like this, especially in the current climate.”

Wallace said organisers hoped the expanded program would give people of all ages a reason to visit Queenscliff over the winter solstice weekend.

For more information, head to nightide.com.au

//SPONSORED CONTENT