Darker Days 2026

WINTER IS COMING. EMBRACE THE DARKNESS AT DARKER DAYS 2026

Featuring special guests - THE GROGANS

Bright’s annual midwinter festival, DARKER DAYS, rises from the ashes once again on June 20, 2026.

A celebration of all things dark and decadent - with a special focus on innovative beer collabs, live music and crackling bonfires - DARKER DAYS 2026 will be bigger, better, darker and diving deeper into winter than ever before! 

With festivities to enjoy across the whole 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

🎸 HEADLINED BY THE GROGANS
Bringing their raw blend of surf, punk, blues and garage rock from the coast to the mountains, The Grogans will headline DARKER DAYS with high‑energy riffs and a crowd‑ready live show.

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

• Rageflower

• Five Buck Kid

• Lennon Paul

• Sophie Kelly

• DJ Matty O

THE BREWERS

We are excited to welcome a very special international guest brewer to Darker Days 2026 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. 

• Garage Project (NZ)

• Bracket Brewing (NSW)

• Kaiju! (VIC)

• Blackmans Brewery (VIC)

• Bright Brewery (VIC)

FOOD

• Pimientos Paella

• Happy Valley Snack Shack

• Spud Train

• OMG Decadent Donuts

• Redhead & Chef

FOR THE KIDS

🎨 Complimentary Face painting from 12:30pm – 5pm
🛠️ Schloss’s Toys Wooden craft & making
❄️ Inflatable igloo packed with crafts & bean bags to chill out
🍿 Snacks & soft drinks & loads of space to run wild

THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, June 19:

• Guided Brewery Tours & Tastings (12 and 3pm) - TICKETED (bookings close Wednesday June 17)

• Welcome Party with live music with DJ Tim Shady (from 6pm) - FREE

Saturday, June 20:

FESTIVAL MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE - SATURDAY. GATES OPEN AT 12PM.

Acknowledgement of Country 12.30pm
12:45pm DJ Matt O’Gorman (and playing in between sets throughout the day).
1:15pm Lennon Paul
3pm Sophie Kelly
4:15pm DJ & Bintani Malt Sack Race
4:45pm Five Buck Kid
6pm Lighting of the Bonfire & Burning Ceremony
7pm RAGEFLOWER
8:45pm The Grogans
10pm DJ Matt O’Gorman

FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT
Chillout Igloo/craftroom 12-5pm
Kids Zone: Face Painting, Schloss' Toys, 12-5pm
Tattoos By Blanc Space Studio 12-6pm
Party Corner: Mini games,12-5:30pm
Bintani Malt Sack Race 4:15pm
Lighting of the Bonfire & Burning Ceremony 6pm

Festival Close 10.30pm

Sunday, June 21:

• Recovery Session with live music at Bright Brewery (from 12:00pm-5:00pm) - FREE with DJ Matty O.

• Barker Days Karma Keg with with proceeds going to our mates at RSPCA Victoria

• Haut Hutt will be offering 30 minute sauna sessions with a recovery plunge in the Ovens River from 12-5pm. Cost: $20pp.  Book your spot online here.

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! Bookings close Thursday June 18 and the buses 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 online only 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, festival cup, drinks and some swag? (valued at ~$120) Volunteer for 3+ hours to get your hands on one. Click here for more info.

DONATIONS
We’re proud to back our amazing first responders at Darker Days. If you’d like to say thanks, you can donate on the ticket page.

ACCOMMODATION
Need accommodation for the weekend? As the official accommodation partner for Darker Days 2026, Alpine Valley Getaways is offering guests an exclusive booking incentive.

Simply book direct with Alpine Valley Getaways and use the code: DARKERDAYS here.

MORE INFO & FAQs
For more information about Darker Days, head to our website.



STRICTLY NO BYO FOOD OR DRINK