Derwent Regency Festival
Schedule
Fri, 28 Nov, 2025 at 07:00 am to Mon, 01 Dec, 2025 at 11:30 am
UTC+11:00Location
St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town TAS and other locations in Hobart | North Hobart, TS
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Derwent Regency Festival 2025In this year, the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, celebrate the Regency era in style and fun with events including a Regency evening at Narryna Heritage Museum, dance workshops and a Jane Austen Grand Regency Ball in the fine St James Church Hall in New Town, a Garden Party of dancing, music, history and delicious period food in the fine garden of historic Runnymede, and a music and history sail on the majestic tall ship, the Lady Nelson. Four days of fun, food, fine music, dancing and general frivolity. This year we also have a bonus night of historically themed contra dancing on the Monday night.
Friday 28th November - Monday 1st December
Hobart, Van Diemen’s Land
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival25
Entry conditions, health and safety, inclusion: https://folktas.org/conditions
Main events:
Friday: Georgian and Regency Evening at Narryna Heritage Museum: Regency costume showings, exhibition and tours of Narryna house (1830s merchant house), refreshments in the garden, live music and dancing, meet and greet other festival goers.
Saturday: Jane Austen Grand Regency Ball: Dance or enjoy the spectacle
Divine period music including many Tasmanian pieces, by Van Diemen’s Angels (harp, piano, fiddle and flute)
Dancing Master David Wanless will lead you through an evening of fun and lively dances. No partner or dancing experience required, though attending the morning workshop would make it even more fun. Dress in something period or formal if you can.
St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town (off Rupert Avenue, enter behind church)
There are optional dance workshops during the day on the Saturday, also at St James.
Sunday: Runnymede Garden Party
A day of Regency activities, fine food and tea in the fine garden of historic Runnymede House. Your ticket includes delicious lunch and afternoon tea of period sweet and savoury food and hot and cold drinks, as well as Regency country dancing, live music, Maypole dancing, period games to play and a historic tour. Period attire encouraged, otherwise something dashing or elegant.
Monday: An afternoon sail on the Derwent river on the magnificent tall ship, the Lady Nelson, with refreshments, live music, shanty singing and history. Regency, formal or nautical attire admired but not required. You will also have the opportunity to help haul on a line or two if you so wish.
Also on Monday evening: Our regular Monday night folk dance, this time historically themed Contra Dances, some from the 19th Century. Live music and lots of fun. St James Hall.
All ages and identities welcome. Dressing up in period attire or some approximation thereof is highly admired. Think "dashing" or "elegant". See https://folktas.org/but-darling-i-have-nothing-to-wear/ for easy ideas.
Tickets and info: https://folktas.org/regency or at the door. Online bookings preferred. Events often sell out. Tickets are available for individual sessions - you are most welcome to come to any or all of the events. Early bird and weekend tickets are available.
Details: https://folktas.org/regency (including hints re. costuming, venues, transport etc.)
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1035822248397193
Facebook/Meetup: Dance Folk Tasmania
Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc
folktas.org/regency
[email protected]
03 6273 2127
Instagram: folktas
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Where is it happening?
St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town TAS and other locations in Hobart, 462 Elizabeth St, Mount Stuart TAS 7000, Australia, North HobartEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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