Darker Days 2025

WINTER IS COMING. EMBRACE THE DARKNESS AT DARKER DAYS 2025

Featuring special guests - British India.

Bright’s annual midwinter festival, DARKER DAYS, rises from the ashes once again on June 21, 2025.

A celebration of all things dark and decadent – with a special focus on dark beer, live music and crackling bonfires – DARKER DAYS 2025 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, artisan drinks & roaring fires.  

THE MUSIC

From their explosive beginnings in the Melbourne indie scene to countless iconic hits like 'Tie Up My Hands' and 'I Can Make You Love Me', British India has been a powerhouse of Australian rock for over a decade. With six incredible albums, countless sold-out tours, and a reputation for absolutely killer live shows, you know they're going to bring the house down at Darker Days! 

They'll be joined at Darker Days by a carefully curated list of Victorian artists including:

• Hassall
• Wild Gloriosa
• Patrick Wilson
• Liv Cartledge
• DJ Zabi

THE BREWERS

We are excited to welcome a very special international guest brewer to Darker Days 2025 an they'll be joined by some other special guests from around Vic and NSW to pour their latest and greatest brews for our beer-loving festival-goers. 

• Urbanaut (NZ)
• Seeker Brewing (NSW)
• Stomping Ground (VIC)
  
• Boat Rocker (VIC)
  
• Bright Brewery (VIC)

THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, June 20:

• Guided Brewery Tours & Tastings (12pm & 3pm) - TICKETED
• Welcome Party with live music by Mt Maze (from 6pm) - FREE

Saturday, June 21:

• Festival Day: 10+ hours of live music (12-10.30pm) - TICKETED
• Hot Dawg Eating Competition (time TBC) - FREE, BUT PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
• Kid Zone
• Flash Tattoo Artist
• Tarot Reader

Sunday, June 22:

• "Barker Days" Recovery Session presented by East Coast Canning with live music at Bright Brewery (from 12:00pm) - FREE. Featuring DJ Matty O from British India and host of Triple M's 'Homegrown'. 
  
• Karma Keg with proceeds going to our pals at RSPCA Victoria.

GETTING HOME

We want you to get home safely so we encourage you to make use of our After Dark Buses. The buses MUST BE PREBOOKED in advance 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 
• Wandi / Freeburgh / Smoko / Harrietville
  

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 animals 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 registrations are open now! Click here to view the available shifts or email us for more info.

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 on the Ticket page.

MORE INFO & FAQs

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