Tassie's red AFL stadium? Never say never for Dark Mofo

Tasmania's proposed AFL stadium could turn red as part of future Dark Mofo offerings, if the premier has his way.

Jeremy Rockliff made the quip on Thursday at the opening of the 2026 winter festival, which will run for the best part of two weeks.

Dark Mofo, which was first held in 2013, is two years on from a "hiatus" aimed to ensure the popular, and often subversive, event was on a better financial footing.

Tickets were snapped up in record time when they went on sale in April, with more than 55,000 sold as of Thursday, artistic director Chris Twite said.

Mr Rockliff, tongue-in-cheek, said he hoped the festival would one day extend to the contentious planned $1.13 billion Hobart waterfront stadium, slated for completion in 2030.

"I do. Absolutely. It will be lit up in red. But I'm sure it's a question for Chris and others," he said.

Dark Mofo, which is propped up by state government funding and money from Museum of Old and New Art creator David Walsh, cost $18 million to put on this year.

Government funding of $21 million over three years runs out at the end of 2027.

"Naturally we will talk about further investment beyond '27," Mr Rockliff said, adding the event contributes more than $60 million to the state economy annually.

Among the offerings include free installations, such as autonomous roaming robot dogs and video shows on one of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries.

The sold-out naked solstice swim will end the festival on June 22, while the traditional burning of the Ogoh-Ogoh sculpture, this year a giant native Tasmanian skink, will happen the night before.

This burning is an opportunity for people to write their fears on paper and have them go up in flames.

Solas, by Spain's Candela Capitan, will live-stream spandex-clad dancers to a billion-dollar adult site while people in Hobart watch on.

Dark Mofo has dealt with some pressures, sparked by international conflict, but was able to dodge the worst of the economic damage, Mr Twite said.

"This year has been tough. We were lucky to catch some breaks with all of our freight already being on the sea before we encountered some of those changes," he said.

"The best part of the festival is seeing the streets alive. Everything we do is a gift to Tasmania."