New reforms in Tasmania will boost local festivals and events

The Tasmanian Government has introduced a new Tourism and Hospitality Event Permit to streamline the approval process for festivals and events. The initiative allows multi-vendor events to operate under a single permit. This reduces administrative burdens for individual stallholders and event organisers.

The reform also includes updates to liquor licensing laws, making it easier for venues to serve alcohol outdoors and extend trading hours during special events. One of the main festivals in Tasmania is Dark Mofo, an annual winter festival in Hobart, Tasmania. Dark Mofo celebrates “the dark” through music, fire and pagan-inspired rituals. It’s known for its huge pagan effigies and a nude solstice swim.

Key changes include: A single event permit now covers multiple vendors, making it easier for festivals with food trucks, market stalls, and pop-up bars to operate legally and efficiently.

Updates to liquor licensing rules allow for: Extended alcohol service hours during festivals or public holidays. Outdoor alcohol service to be approved more easily – a major benefit for open-air events and waterfront venues.

The reforms also include streamlined traffic management approvals through the Department of State Growth for any event involving public roads or closures.

The new Tourism and Hospitality Event Permit was announced in March 2025 by Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Recent changes are part of a broader effort to modernise outdated regulations and support the growth of Tasmania’s hospitality and events sectors. Additionally, Tasmania Police provides guidelines and requirements for event permits, including considerations for public safety and traffic management.

The first events to use the new single-permit system are food and wine festivals in Hobart and Launceston, which began in winter 2024 and are continuing into spring 2025. For events involving the use of state roads, the Department of State Growth has outlined the necessary approvals and procedures to ensure compliance with transportation regulations.