TasFaire is back for 2026!

If you identify as a bit of a geek - whether you’re into fantasy, D&D, cosplay, swords, medieval stuff, or anything adjacent - you’ll definitely want to check out TasFaire!

Van Diemen Fencing Club had an absolute ball at TasFaire 2025, so we’re thrilled to hear that it’s returning for a second year - and this time, it’s running for a whole weekend!

TasFaire 2026 will run across Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, and we’ve submitted an application for the club to take part again. We’d love to have plenty of our members involved and make some more fantastic memories together.

What will we be doing?

Based on last year, we expect to have a club information stall near the demonstration arena at 14 Bridge Street, as well as a space on the Ross Village Green where festival-goers can have a stab at free foam-sword fencing.

There are heaps of ways members can get involved, and you absolutely don’t need to be an experienced fencer or coach to help!

Last year, our fabulous volunteers helped with everything from setting up and packing down, fitting people with masks and teaching them the basics before letting them loose with foam swords, sanitising equipment between uses, and answering questions at our club stall, through to taking part in fencing demonstrations in the arena.

In other words: there’s a job for everyone!

Do I have to volunteer all day?

Nope! The festival runs approximately 9 am–4 pm each day, but we can organise shorter shifts so nobody has to spend their entire TasFaire experience volunteering.

We want you to have plenty of time to explore the festival, check out the stalls, enjoy the entertainment, and revel in all things geek, too!

The event will have an entry fee to access TasFaire activities and market stalls. The organisers have advised that they’ve worked to keep entry as affordable as possible while still covering the costs of running the festival.

We’ll also provide food, drinks, and sunscreen for our volunteers during their shifts.

A quick note about transport

This year, Coach Avery won’t be able to provide lifts to Ross, as the Tarago will be packed with fencing equipment. He’ll also be staying nearby on Saturday night so he can be back bright and early to get everything set up for Day 2.

If you’re keen to volunteer but transport might be an issue, let us know - we can see whether members are able to coordinate carpooling.

Whether you can help for a couple of hours, jump into a demonstration, wrangle foam swords, talk enthusiastically about fencing, or simply come along and support the club, we’d love to have you there! 

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