Solstice Search Party 2026
Schedule
Sat Jun 20 2026 at 05:00 am to 10:30 am
UTC+10:00Location
Lake Pertobe, Pertobe Road, Warrnambool, VIC | Warrnambool, VI
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Embrace the dark and celebrate the longest night of the year at Solstice Search Party.Now in its fifth year, we are excited to once again invite visitors of all ages to take part in this free event celebrating winter in Warrnambool and our creative connection to land and raw wild nature. Warrnambool City Council along with a team of local creatives will again transform the beautiful Lake Pertobe precinct on the Warrnambool Foreshore into a winter wonderland!
A fantastic array of live music has been carefully curated by the team at Raglan Presents, with an amazing line-up of local artists including Rudders, MixTape Trio and JAGR. DJ Good Intentions will round out the night playing crowd favourites.
Throughout time, Winter Solstice rituals have revolved around fire. FireLily Dance’s "Mystical Creatures of Fire" will bring audiences into a world where mythical beings emerge from flame and light. Solstice Search Party will transform into a magical realm where phoenixes, queens, and mythical fire dragons come to life.
Our friends at Fresh Market Warrnambool will be serving you up local delights in the gourmet foody zone. There you will be able to peruse the line-up and select from the latest tasty treats the South West has to offer. This year will feature more vans, more cuisines and some more fun dessert options.
Lake Pertobe will again be illuminated with an immersive collection of Carla O’Brien’s latest neon light installations and One Day Studio’s projections. Plus, this year will also feature some beautiful native Australian animal giant lanterns, created by the talented ‘Lanternist”. You will be able to wander the gardens and experience the lights as the sun goes down and night sets in.
There’ll be plenty of other enchanting experiences at this year’s Solstice Search Party. Keep the kids busy with some craft at The Nature Bus, a hilarious silent disco tour with Guru Dudu, festival glitter face paint or visit the ‘Friend in Me’ Mobile Sensory Trailer if you need some quiet time away from the hustle of the event.
Register for your free ticket to stay up to date with the latest event information and any changes to plans due to weather. This also helps us plan to make this free event the best experience possible for you.
Don’t forget to bring your torch and be prepared for all the elements! Umbrellas, gumboots and a camping chair are recommended!
Solstice Search Party is an all ages, drug and alcohol free event, brought to you by Warrnambool City Council.
Wondering what's happening and when?
Check out our schedule of all the amazing things happening below...
3:00pm - Welcome to Country, Neon Lights and Lanterns turn on, Nature Bus craft activities
3.30pm – Rudders takes the stage
4.00pm – Silent Disco Tours start
4:30pm – Be mesmerised by FireLily Dance as they roam Lake Pertobe
4:45pm – Music by MixTape Trio
5:45pm – FireLily wander
6.00pm – One Day Studios’ Projections begin
6:00pm – JAGR get the event rocking
7:00pm – FireLily Dance’s main performance
7:30pm - Wrapping up with DJ Good Intentions
8.00pm – Silent Disco Tours finish
8:00pm – FireLily roam for the last time
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Where is it happening?
Lake Pertobe, Pertobe Road, Warrnambool, VIC, AustraliaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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