Organisers of the event, which had its 10th iteration in 2023 – made the announcement on Friday that the festival would be “pausing” in 2024.
“Since Dark Mofo’s inception back in 2013, the festival has felt the weight of shifting conditions and the burden of escalating costs,” said a statement on the event’s website.
“While 2023 left an indelible mark, it also exacted its toll, prompting the decision to pause, reflect and plan out a more sustainable future.”
A little more light on the decision was shed on Dark Mofo’s FAQ page.
“The success of 2023 brought with it the realisation that we cannot continue to deliver Dark Mofo to the standards we have set under these conditions.
“Now it is time to reevaluate and renew, so that Dark Mofo can sustain another decade.”
Two elements of the festival will be held in 2024 – the Nude Solstice Swim and the Winter Feast.
The Tasmanian Government released a statement following the announcement of the cancellation of the 2024 event, saying that it would support the swim and the feast next June.
“We understand Dark Mofo’s need for a smaller event in 2024 as they reshape the festival for the future, and we will continue to work closely with them on their plans when the full event returns in 2025,” said Tasmania’s Premier and tourism minister Jeremy Rockliff.
“[Mona’s founder] David Walsh contributes so much to Tasmania, and we will continue our partnership with him and his team to deliver Dark Mofo into the future.”
In the same statement, the state government flagged that it would make an additional investment in Tourism Tasmania’s “Off Season” campaign for leisure visitors and Tasmania’s Business Events Attraction Fund, managed by Business Events Tasmania, presumably to help patch the gap left by the paused festival.
“We are also working on a strategic airline partnership to drive bookings to…Tasmania in the Off Season, and we are investing an additional $1.8 million over three years into Tasmania’s Business Events Attraction Fund to attract more business events and conferences, with an immediate focus on winter 2024,” said Rockliff.
