TMAG Festival for Children and Young People, Lift Off! returns for free family fun
Lift Off! Festival for Children and Young People is returning to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) these school holidays, transforming the museum into a vibrant hub for creativity, play and discovery from 18–23 April 2026.
Inspired by the theme GROW, this year’s festival offers free workshops, performances, trails and hands-on activities, encouraging children and families to grow ideas, imagination, connections and curiosity together.
The Lift Off! 2026 program has been developed especially for children and young people, inviting them to make, see, do and discover. Across six days, Lift Off! activates TMAG with creative making, performances, films, interactive trails and opportunities to engage with the museum’s collections in new ways.
Key highlights from the 2026 program include Tree Music with Friends, a playful and participatory musicmaking experience; Slow Crystallisation – How to grow a mountain!, a giant growing artwork inspired by Kunanyi/Mount Wellington; Ask a Curator, opportunities to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of a museum; and a wide range of nature-based activities. The program is designed to appeal to a wide range of ages and interests, making it a destination for families to spend time together during the school holidays.
TMAG gratefully acknowledges support for Lift Off! 2026 through the City of Hobart’s Event Support Program.
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Director, Mary Mulcahy:
“The Lift Off! Festival has been dreamed up with children and young people at its heart, inspiring imagination and ideas through hands‑on making, exploring and play.
"In 2026, we invite families to dive in, follow their curiosity and grow their creativity together, discovering the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery as a space where learning feels like an adventure and every visit brings something new to explore.”
Quotes attributable to City of Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:
“TMAG is a treasured part of Hobart’s cultural life, and this festival shows how learning, imagination and fun can come together to create welcoming experiences for children and families.
“Creating inclusive and affordable opportunities for young people to explore art, science and culture helps build confident, connected communities where everyone feels they belong.
“The City of Hobart is proud to support the TMAG Children’s Festival as an investment in children’s learning, family experiences and a vibrant, culturally rich city.”
About Lift Off!
Each autumn school holidays, Lift Off! transforms TMAG’s waterfront cultural precinct in Nipaluna/Hobart into a vibrant hub of creativity and learning. This multi-day festival offers engaging activities, performances, and workshops.
Lift Off! empowers children to explore new ideas through hands-on experiences and inspiring presentations.
Lift Off! is proudly supported by the City of Hobart.
Media contact:
Kyla Flanagan, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery