If winter means dark beer, live music, roaring fires and escaping to the mountains, then it’s time to start planning for Darker Days 2026 in Bright.

One of Victoria’s most-loved winter festivals, bought to you by Bright Brewery, returns this June, bringing together craft beer, live music, local food and a vibrant festival atmosphere in the heart of Bright. Whether you’re travelling from Melbourne, regional Victoria, NSW or beyond, Darker Days is the perfect excuse to turn a festival day into a full High Country getaway.

Why Darker Days is Worth the Trip

Darker Days has grown from a local winter celebration into one of Bright’s signature events, attracting visitors from across south-eastern Australia.

Think:

• Craft beer from some of Australia’s best breweries
• Live music throughout the day
• Food trucks and local produce
• Bonfires and winter vibes
• Stunning alpine scenery
• A buzzing atmosphere throughout town

It’s the kind of event that deserves more than a day trip.

Make a Weekend of It

The best way to experience Darker Days is to arrive early, settle into your accommodation and enjoy everything Bright and the surrounding High Country have to offer.

Spend your mornings exploring local cafes, walking riverside trails or browsing local shops before heading to the festival. Afterwards, return to your accommodation, put your feet up and enjoy a cosy winter evening by the fire.

With accommodation options across Bright, Wandiligong, Porepunkah and Harrietville, there’s a stay to suit every style of getaway.

Exclusive Accommodation Offer for Darker Days

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

We’ll apply an exclusive event accommodation discount to your booking after it has been confirmed.

Plus, You’ll Go Into the Draw to Win

Every eligible direct booking using code DARKERDAYS will automatically go into the draw to win our special Darker Days Pack, which includes:

• Festival tickets
• Drink vouchers
• Festival weekend extras
• Additional surprise inclusions

The winner will be announced prior to the event. There are 3 packs to win!

Don’t Limit Yourself to Staying in Town

One of the biggest misconceptions about Darker Days is that you need to stay within walking distance of the event.

The festival shuttle bus service makes it easy to stay throughout the region while still enjoying the event safely and conveniently (must be pre-booked).

This means you can choose from beautiful properties in:

• Wandiligong
• Porepunkah
• Harrietville
• Smoko
• Surrounding High Country locations

Often you’ll enjoy more space, more privacy and incredible mountain or river views while still having easy access to the festival.

Our Favourite Darker Days Stays

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, a group of friends or a family making a winter weekend of it, we have accommodation options to suit every style of stay.

Choose from:

• Cosy cottages with fireplaces
• Riverside retreats
• Family-friendly homes
• Group accommodation
• Pet-friendly properties
• Luxury homes with mountain views

Browse our collection and find your perfect base for the weekend.

Book Early

Darker Days is one of Bright’s most popular winter weekends and accommodation fills quickly.

If you’re planning to attend, we recommend booking early to secure your preferred property and take advantage of the DARKERDAYS booking incentive.

Ready to Plan Your Winter Escape?

Book direct with Alpine Valley Getaways, use code DARKERDAYS, and go into the draw to win our exclusive Darker Days Pack.

Browse available properties and start planning your ultimate High Country winter weekend.