June event guide: the best festivals, live music and exhibitions in Gippsland
There's everything from winter solstice dips to southern lights fireworks to medieval fire dancing.
Jacob Wallace
June 06, 2025
Even through the winter months Gippsland has so many gigs, exhibitions, festivals and shows to check out. Don’t let the cold weather stop you from getting outside and making the most of life in Gippsland. The Monitor has listed some of the biggest events in the region this month so have a browse and make the most of it!
Festivals and events
East Gippsland Winter Festival
The fifth annual East Gippsland Winter Festival is set to be an enormous affair. There will be over 100 events held throughout East Gippsland that will feature live music, food, music, art and culture.
When: June 20 - July 20.
Where: East Gippsland.
Southern Lights Festival
In Korumburra there will be two stages dedicated to live music, fire twirlers and magicians. This is a family event with plenty of lights and lasers to dazzle the kids. There will also be a fireworks show at the end of the night so bring a rug and get wrapped up for the lightshow.
This event is BYO alcohol.
When: Saturday, June 7.
Where: Coal Creek. 12 Silkstone Road, Korumburra.
South East Now
This is a group exhibition of Koorie artists with a connection to Gunai Kurnai Country. This is the exhibition's seventh year of running. The show will also include a school workshop, gallery tours and artist talks with exhibiting artists.
Free opening event at 5.30pm on Friday, June 20.
When: June 20 - August 2.
Where: East Gippsland Art Gallery. 2 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale.
Loch Food & Wine Festival
Explore the historic village of Loch whilst listening to live music and enjoying the fruits of local wineries, breweries, producers and eateries. The Loch Food & Wine Festival celebrates all of what South Gippsland has to offer.
Day tickets for adults including glass $20
(Children 0-18, accompanied by an adult are free)
When: Sunday, June 8.
Where: Loch Railway Station Reserve. Via the underpass in Speight St, Loch.
Winter Solstice Cold Dip - run by Gippsland Jersey
Take a refreshing dip on the Winter Solstice.
The Winter Solstice Cold Dip is a yearly ritual that involves jumping into the Gippsland Lakes to greet the sun on the shortest day of the year. The event is run by Gippsland Jersey and is intended to promote better mental well-being.
When: Saturday, June 21. 7am – 7am.
Where: Slipway, Lakes Entrance.
Bruthen Medieval Winter Fire Festival
Locals and visitors are encouraged to dress up in medieval theme and take part in outdoor ancient family games, indoor games and watch sword fighting demonstrations and medieval skills demonstrations.
The event also showcases fire pots, the slaying of a dragon, bonfire lighting, heaps of colourful lanterns lighting the fences, music and medieval dances.
When: Saturday, June 21. 3pm - 9pm.
Where: The Paddock behind Bruthen Mechanics Hall. 49 Main St, Bruthen.
Live music
Totally Swift - The Eras Experience
Local Gippsland performer Julianne Bremner has produced the new Totally Swift – The Eras Experience show, a vibrant and family-friendly Taylor Swift tribute concert that’s been bringing joy to Swifties across Victoria.
This show is truly a celebration of music, dance, and community, created right here in Gippsland and designed to inspire and entertain young Swiftie fans and their families.
When: Friday, June 21.
Where: Lowanna College Auditorium. 72-96 Newark Ave, Newborough.
Turner and the Sublime
A show that combines two artistic mediums with performances from concert pianist Ambre Hammond and watercolorist Tony Smibert. Ambre will be playing Chopin, Debussy, Piazolla and Gershwin whilst Tony, a visiting Artist Researcher from Tate Britain, uses watercolour to express the sublime.
When: Saturday, June 7.
Where: John Leslie Theatre. 100 Foster Street, Sale.
The Bushwackers
The Bushwackers are celebrating their 54th year of performing with a show in Gippsland. The band has been through many iterations over the years but are still touring with a boatload of Australian classics.
When: Friday, June 20.
Where: Valencia Creek Soldiers Memorial Hall. 84 Valencia Creek-Briagolong Road, Valencia Creek.
Reece Mastin and Dear Reckless
The English-born Australian singer and songwriter Reece Mastin won the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011 and has been touring ever since. His ‘One Night Stands’ tour will be at Live at the Bundy this June.
When: Saturday, June 21.
Where: Live at the Bundy. 795 Maffra-Sale Road, Bundalaguah.
Dragon
Dragon is back touring all the band's classics. The Sydney based band has been touring for more than 50 years so don’t miss the chance to see Dragon under the June Sun in Gippsland.
When: June 26.
Where: John Leslie Theatre. 100 Foster Street, Sale.
Elvis and the Buddy Rock and Roll Sensation
Entertainer Mark Caligiuri and the Sensational Memphis Beat Show Band will bring to life the songs of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly.
Sing along to the songs from two of the most influential rock ‘n’ roll performers of all time as they perform - That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Rave On, That’s Alright Mama, Suspicious Minds and American Trilogy.
When: Friday, June 27.
Where: John Leslie Theatre. 100 Foster Street, Sale.
Björn Again
Claiming to be the world's no.1 ABBA show, Björn Again, is touring Australia with all the ABBA classics - Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and SOS.
When: Friday, June 27.
Where: 32 Kay Street, Traralgon.
Art exhibitions
Turner and Australia
This exhibition is dedicated to the impact that iconic English painter J.M.W. Turner had on the Australian artscene. The exhibition draws inspiration from Turner's contemporary, John Glover, who migrated to Australia in 1831.
When: June 7 - August 24.
Where: Gippsland Art Gallery, 70 Foster St in Sale.
This new exhibition at Coal Creek is brought to you by Toora Arts Network.
Featuring artists; Wendy Davidson, Sue Gilford, Cameron Hayes, Gary Jackson, Lisa Kennedy, Kim McDonald, Deborah Read, Hilary Skelton, Ellen Taylor, Megan Williams and Page Williams. Curated by Sue Gilford, Jasmin McNeill and Ellen Taylor.
When: April 11 - July 21.
Where: Coal Creek Community Park & Museum. 12 Silkstone Road, Korumburra.
Josh Dykgraaf - Formation
Josh Dykgraaf is a photographic manipulation artist based in Melbourne. Each piece is composed of hundreds of photos using material Josh has shot in Gippsland. He has taken thousands of photographs from Mt Baw Baw, Wilson's Promontory, the Strzelecki Ranges and Snowy River to create these complex collages.
Josh says his work is primarily focused on exploring wildlife conservation and climate change.
When: May 9 - June 14.
Where: 2 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale.
Tracey Solomon - Rattenfänger
Tracey Solomon’s work uses scratchboards, a process of carving a black surface away to reveal the white underneath to bring her new exhibition Rattenfänger (translated in English to rat catcher) to life.
The exhibition is based on the German folklore of the pied pier, who hypnotised and lured rats to their death.
When: June 3 - June 7.
Where: East Gippsland Art Gallery. 2 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale.
Steven Ulula Parker Exhibition
A solo exhibition with Millowl local artist Uncle Steven Ulula Parker, a descendant of the Boonwurrung, Yorta Yorta and Erub country.
The exhibition is partly a celebration of Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 3) and NAIDOC Week (July 6 to July 13).
When: May 31 - July 13.
Where: Cowess Berninneit Cultural Centre. 91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
Stand-up comedy
Garry Starr Performs Everything
Garry Starr is one performer you shouldn’t miss out on. He recently won the Most Outstanding Show award at Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his show about Penguin Classics.
In this show Starr will be tearing “through genres with little regard for personal safety and even less regard for art”.
When: Saturday, June 14.
Where: Cowess Berninneit Cultural Centre. 91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
Andrew Hamilton
Comedian Andrew Hamilton will be playing shows across Gippsland this month. His stand-up deals with the four months he spent in two of Sydney’s maximum-security prisons for being caught with a commercial supply of psychedelic drugs.
Where and when:
June 17 - San Remo.
June 18 - Bairnsdale
June 19 - Warragul.
Georgie Carroll - Infectious
Georgie Carroll was the winner of the Best Comedy Show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival following a sold-out UK, New Zealand, and Australian tour in 2024. Georgie uses her career as a nurse as material for her award winning comedy.
When: Friday, June 20.
Where: Gippsland Performing Arts Centre. 32 Kay St, Traralgon.
Tommy Little
Tommy Little is in town with his brand-new hour of stand-up, I’m Not Proud. Tommy is heard across the country from 3-6pm as the co-host of the Network Drive show, Carrie & Tommy.
When: Saturday, June 21.
Where: West Gippsland Arts Centre. 1 Civic Pl, Warragul.
Four Comedians, Four Beers at Ocean Reach Brewing
A unique comedian and beer pairing experience held by Ocean Reach Brewing. The show will feature a selection of comedians from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and a selection of beers brewed by Ocean Reach Brewing.
When: Saturday, June 21.
Where: Ocean Reach Brewing. 47 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.