General News
5 June, 2026
Fire and fun return with Smoke on the Water
Horsham Agricultural Society will bring fire, food, music, camping and art together when Smoke on the Water returns to Horsham for this King’s Birthday long weekend. The fourth annual event will run across Saturday and Sunday, with free on-site camping available from Friday, June 5, through to Monday.
Horsham Agricultural Society president Andrea Cross said the winter festival had continued to grow since it began.
“It’s the fourth time we are running it,” she said.
“That’s the first time we’ve introduced workshops to the event as well.”
Ms Cross said this year’s program would include several new features, including the Strange Garden interactive art installation, creative workshops, and the event’s first art and photography exhibition.
“The Strange Garden workshop is the first time,” she said.
“And it’s the first time we’ve had a photography and art exhibition, as one of our goals is to reintroduce art back into the Horsham community after the loss of the artist festival.”
Saturday’s program will begin at 7am with a Sunrise Walk and iPhone Photography Walkshop, giving participants the chance to capture the Wimmera at sunrise.
Doors will open at noon, with the day featuring the Art and Photography Exhibition, Rising From The Ashes Sculpture Trail, street food, kids’ activities, coal-cooking demonstrations, drum fires, live music and the 150 Wine Bar.
The Farmers and Fellas Fire Circle will run from 1pm to 5pm, offering a free sausage sizzle, fireside conversations and an alcohol-free quiet space.
Representatives from Fat Farmers, Mr Perfect, Rural Aid, Are You Bogged Mate? and Look Over the Farm Gate will be involved.
Live music will include Levi Mellington at 1pm, The Doodads at 4pm, Beatroute and the Nang Nangs at 6.15pm and Zero Below at 8pm.
A bonfire lighting will take place at 6pm, followed by the festival’s after-dark program, with a $10 special entry available from 8pm.
Doors will close at 11pm on June 6.
Sunday will start with breakfast for campers at 9am, followed by Recovery Sound Bath sessions on the riverfront at 10am and 1pm.
Doors will reopen at noon, with more art, food, workshops, fireside spaces, children’s activities, and live music.
Sunday’s entertainment will include Archie Clarke and Jarrod Stevenson at noon, Zara Nichols at 4pm and Doin’ Time at 5pm.
The day will also feature cooking demonstrations, flower styling workshops, wreath-making workshops, and face painting.
Ms Cross encouraged people to come prepared for a winter weekend outdoors.
“Rug up, as the sun will be shining, but it’s a winter event, so dress accordingly,” she said.
She said the event would have plenty of fires and gathering spaces to keep people warm.
“We’ve got lots of campfire drums around the grounds, so people won’t go cold,” she said.
Ms Cross said the free camping offer was a major part of the weekend, and she hoped locals and visitors would make the most of it.
“I’d love to see our back paddock filled with locals in their vans and tents,” she said.
“We’re offering free camping for the weekend, right from Friday through to Monday.
“It’s for visitors as well as for the locals.”
Early-bird online tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students, with children aged five and under free.
Tickets at the door are $25 for adults.
Interested parties can purchase tickets and view the full program at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1417530.