Darker Days 2023

TICKET SALES HAVE NOW ENDED; PLEASE BUY TICKETS ON THE DOOR - WHILE STOCKS LAST!

WINTER IS COMING. EMBRACE THE DARKNESS.

With special guests - Pierce Brothers!

After the sell-out spectacular of 2022, Bright’s annual midwinter festival, DARKER DAYS, rises from the ashes on June 17, 2023.

A celebration of all things dark and decadent – with a special focus on dark beer, live music and crackling bonfires – DARKER DAYS 2023 will be bigger, better, darker and diving deeper into winter than ever before, with three days of events. 

With festivities to enjoy across the weekend, Saturday’s Festival Day will light up Bright with 10 hours of live music, cold beer, hot food, local drinks & roaring fires.  

THE FULL LINEUP

Australia’s hottest indie-folk duo, Pierce Brothers, will headline Darker Days festival as part of their Australian-wide headline tour this year. They'll be joined at Darker Days by a carefully curated list of Victorian artists. 

Pierce Brothers

Vaudeville Smash

Nicky Bomba

The Maes

Raging Moby

DJ Saucy

THE BREWERS

We will be welcoming guest brewers from all over Australia to pour their latest and greatest brews for our beer-loving festival-goers. This year, we'll be joined by some of the biggest names in Australian brewing, spanning all realms of the craft beer category. 

Bright Brewery

One Drop Brewing Co

CoConspirators Brewing Co

La Sirene 

Sobremesa Fermentary and Blendery

THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

All the traditional aspects of Darker Days which make this midwinter festival a must-do experience will be back for 2023, including the ceremonial bonfire, crackling firepits, Stubborn Imperial Stout vertical tastings, beautiful food, local produce and, of course, beers by our High Country brewers and wine, cider, and cocktails with a unique local flavour.

Friday, June 16:

• Guided Brewery Tours & Tastings (12pm & 3pm - ticketed)
• Welcome Party with live music (from 6pm - free)

Saturday, June 17:

• Festival Day: 10+ hours of live music, headlined by Pierce Brothers (12-10.30pm - ticketed)
• Hot Dawg Eating Competition (4:15pm on the main stage, pre-registration required)

Sunday, June 18:

• Recovery Session with live music (from 12pm - free)

GETTING HOME

We want you to get home safely so we encourage you to make use of our After Dark Buses. These must be pre-booked BEFORE JUNE 10 and will leave the festival grounds at 10.45pm, immediately after the end of the festival and travel to a central drop-off point in each location:

Porepunkah / Ovens / Myrtleford / Wangaratta - FULLY BOOKED

Wandi / Freeburgh / Smoko / Harrietville - FULLY BOOKED

BUS BOOKINGS WILL CLOSE ON JUNE 10, AND CAN NOT BE BOOKED ON THE NIGHT.

Festival-goers are encouraged to carpool or travel by foot or pedal-power to the festival.

TICKET PRICING

Early Bird prices are available for those keen to lock in their plans early, as well as packaged discounts and bulk-buy discounts. See ticket options for all the discounts.

Reduced prices are available for children aged 6-17, and kids under 5 are free. 

KIDS + PETS

Darker Days is a proudly family-friendly event and children are welcome to come and enjoy the festivities. But please, no pets - the event is not suitable for dogs or other pets (assistance dogs are welcome).

VOLUNTEER FOR A FREE TICKET

Want a free festival ticket, beer, food and some swag (valued at $120)? Volunteer for 3+ hours to get your hands on one. Volunteer Here.

DONATIONS

Darker Days proudly supports the Bright CFA. The CFA are always on hand to ensure our firey festivities are conducted safely. You can donate to the Bright CFA and show your appreciation by donating the Ticket page.

MORE INFO & FAQs

For more information about Darker Days, head to our website.