Spring in Launceston: 2026 Events and Things to Do
Spring gives you plenty of reasons to plan a few days in Launceston.
From September through November, Northern Tasmania’s calendar fills with arts, food, wine, gardens, markets and country events. Many are held in Launceston or within an hour of the city, making it easy to choose an event and build a longer weekend around it.
If you are planning a Launceston spring getaway in 2026, here are some dates to keep in mind.
September
Junction Arts Festival
17 to 20 September 2026 | Launceston
One of Launceston’s major annual cultural events, Junction Arts Festival returns for four days and nights across the city. Explore Junction Arts Festival
The program brings together live music, performance, visual art and interactive experiences, with both free and ticketed events held throughout Launceston.
Stay centrally and you can make the festival part of a broader weekend, with Cataract Gorge, City Park, the city’s restaurants and Saturday morning at Harvest Market all close by.
Longford Jazz Festival
18 to 20 September 2026 | Longford
The same weekend, around 25 minutes from Launceston, the Longford Jazz Festival brings musicians together across venues in the historic Northern Midlands town. View the Northern Midlands events calendar
The festival attracts musicians from across Tasmania and interstate, combining live jazz with the opportunity to explore Longford, its food and its historic streets.
For jazz lovers, it makes an easy addition to a September stay in Launceston.
October
Tamar Valley Writers Festival
15 to 19 October 2026 | Launceston and the Tamar Valley
The Tamar Valley Writers Festival returns from 15 to 19 October, bringing writers, readers and thinkers together for five days of conversations and events. Explore the Tamar Valley Writers Festival
Held every two years, the festival has established itself as an important part of Northern Tasmania’s cultural calendar and gives visitors another reason to spend a few days exploring Launceston and the Tamar Valley.
Tasmanian Craft Fair
30 October to 1 November 2026 | Deloraine
At the end of October, the Tasmanian Craft Fair takes over Deloraine for three days. Explore the 2026 Tasmanian Craft Fair
The event brings together makers working across textiles, fashion, timber, glass, sculpture, visual arts and other traditional and contemporary disciplines, with more than 80 per cent of exhibitors coming from Tasmania.
Deloraine is around 40 minutes from Launceston and a return shuttle from Launceston is also scheduled to operate during the 2026 fair.
November
Tasmanian Sparkling Immersion
13 to 15 November 2026 | Tamar Valley
For visitors with a particular interest in Tasmanian wine, Tasmanian Sparkling Immersion runs from 13 to 15 November in the Tamar Valley. Explore Tasmanian Sparkling Immersion
The intimate weekend brings together some of Tasmania’s leading sparkling winemakers for masterclasses, vineyard and winery visits, tastings and dining experiences.
With transfers operating from Launceston as part of the event program, it is particularly well suited to visitors using the city as their base.
Taste the Tamar
14 November 2026 | Exeter Showgrounds
Taste the Tamar returns on Saturday 14 November following its inaugural event in 2025. Explore Taste the Tamar
Running from 11.30am to 6.30pm at Exeter Showgrounds, the event brings together Tamar Valley wine, local food and entertainment in one location.
For wine lovers, it is an easy centrepiece for a spring weekend. Stay in Launceston, spend Saturday at Taste the Tamar and leave some time either side to explore more cellar doors throughout the valley.
Longford Blooms
14 and 15 November 2026 | Longford
The same weekend, Longford Blooms opens some of the town’s private gardens to visitors. Explore Longford Blooms 2026
Held across Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, the open garden festival showcases a mix of historic properties, cottage gardens and contemporary spaces, alongside plant stalls, food and garden products.
It is particularly well timed for a spring road trip. Spend Saturday exploring the Tamar Valley before heading south to Longford’s gardens on Sunday.
Every Saturday: Harvest Market
You do not need to plan your stay around a major festival to experience something local.
Harvest Market runs every Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm at 71 Cimitiere Street in central Launceston, bringing together Tasmanian growers, makers and producers. Visit Harvest Market
Start the morning with breakfast and seasonal produce before heading into the Tamar Valley, Cataract Gorge or further afield.
Make a weekend of spring in Launceston
One of the advantages of staying in Launceston is how much of Northern Tasmania sits within easy reach.
Choose a weekend around an event, then leave enough room in the itinerary for everything around it. Walk through Cataract Gorge, spend an afternoon among Tamar Valley cellar doors, visit Harvest Market or head through the Northern Midlands to Longford and Deloraine.
Whether you are visiting for arts in September, festivals in October or wine and gardens in November, Harrison Stays gives you a comfortable Launceston base for exploring the season.
Find your Harrison Stays property and book your spring escape to Launceston.
