A Festival Called George – St Helens

The Tasmanian coastal town is well known for the Bay of Fires, mountain biking, fishing and surfing.  But now, there is a new attraction in town. A Festival Called George is an annual festival bringing together locals, the broader Tasmanian community, and visitors from further abroad. Bringing together an eclectic mix of produce and music, A Festival Called George is yet another string in the St Helens bow.

History and Origins of the Festival

First held in 2022 as a small craft beer festival held in a carpark, the history of the festival name is pretty simple! It is named after Georges Bay, on the banks of which the festival now sits. With beginnings as a small local event, the festival has now grown to include 10 craft breweries as well as spirit producers and an enviable music line up.

Festival Highlights and Activities

A Festival Called George is held across 3 days from Friday the 4^th to Sunday the 6^th of October 2024 with the main event being held on the Saturday.

Friday the 4^th of October 2024

• The Social satellite event
  • A preview of the George Fest beers
  • Burgers from Burger Junkie
  • Local DJ spinning tunes
• Easy Tiger Satellite Event
  • Meet the brewers behind the festival brews.
  • Festival beers
  • Live music
• St Helens Bowling Club “Bowlo” satellite event
  • Bowlo eats and treats.
  • Manchild Brewing Beers
  • Games galore – barefoot bowls, darts, coits, or cards

Saturday the 5^th of October 2024

• 1 PM to 10 PM
• A unique selection of independent craft beers and spirits
• 9 live music acts topped off with The Bad Dad Orchestra and Ezra Lee
• Comedy acts
• A varied selection of foods including Burger Junkie, Chillz on Wheelz, Famished Food Co., Red Grass Hopper Pizza and Sailor Food Truck.

Sunday the 6^th of October 2024

• Live music at the St Helens Art Market at the Panorama Hotel

Visitor Information

Location

St Helens is located at the northern end of the East Coast of Tasmania. By car, it is approximately 2hrs and 45 mins from Devonport, 2hrs and 30 minutes from Launceston and 3 hours from Hobart.

The festivals main event on Saturday the 5^th of October is being held on the edge of Georges Bay in the Percey Steel Reserve.  Satellite events are also being held on Friday the 4^th of October at The Social, Easy Tiger and the St Helens Bowls Club.  The festival concludes with an Art Market at the Panorama Hotel on Sunday the 6^th of October.

What’s Nearby?

There is so much on offer in this stunning part of Tasmania. To the southern end of Georges Bay, you can find Beer Barrell and Maurouard Beaches along with the Peron Dunes.  The northern end of Georges Bay will find you reaching Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires where lichen covered rocks, bright white sand and crystal-clear water awaits.  Inland from the township, you can find the spectacular St Columba Falls.

If mountain biking is your thing, you’ll find the world-class St Helens Mountain Bike Trails on hand with trails to suit all levels of riders.  And the Blue Derby mountain bike trails are only an hour away.

Accommodation

St Helens has a variety of accommodation. You will find a selection of Air BNB options, two great caravan parks in Tasman Holiday Park and Big4 St Helens.  Another great option is to camp. There are numerous camp sites along the Bay of Fires area and if you are lucky, you might find one with beach front access!

Tickets

Tickets for the Festival of George start from $10. Purchase your tickets here.

Conclusion

St Helens has always been a go to destination. And with A Festival Called George bringing together independent craft brewers, distillers, food, and music…well what’s not to love!  Get along to the festival and support such a great community initiative.

Make sure you Take A Local with our East Coast Crawl tour!

FAQ’s

1. What are the dates for the 2024 Festival Called George?

Friday the 4^th to Sunday the 6^th of October.

2. Where is the festival Festival Called George located?

Percey Steel Reserve, St Helens, Tasmania

3. What is the cost of tickets festival George, Tasmania?

Tickets start from $10.

4. What type of music can I expect at the festival?

Soulful acoustic, jams and rock and roll piano.

5. Are accommodations available nearby?

Yes.  You will find Airbnb, Caravan Parks and Camping all nearby.

6. Is the event family-friendly?

Yes!

7. What kind of food and drinks will be available?

Burgers, fish & chips, seafood, pizza, beers, spirits, cider, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.

8. Will there be parking available at the festival?

There is limited parking available on site. But you will find parking in the nearby streets.