Bendigo Chamber Music Festival February 4 -8. Morning, afternoon, and evening performances at some of Bendigo’s’ most beautiful venues including Ulumbarra Theatre, Beehive Building and Uniting Church. Head to this major regional city, just half an hour or so from Castlemaine, for a day of memorable music and sightseeing.

Maldon Antique Fair, February 14 -15. A well-established old-fashioned country swap-meet in the historic town of Maldon. Explore over 300 sites featuring antiques of every type from high-end china and ceramics to old hand tools and rustic farming implements.  Free for the kids and fun for everyone. Bill Woodfull Reserve, Francis Street.

Cloud 9, Artpuff, the Mill, February 5 – 22. An uplifting exhibition featuring the work of nine local artists at a creative gallery space at the Mill Complex

Harcourt Applefest, March 7. As the very special town of Harcourt continues its recovery from the devastating January bushfire, plans are well in hand for the biggest and best Harcourt Applefest. Featuring a market, all-day entertainment, cookery, Lego and apple pie eating competitions, and food and wine, this will be a memorable day all about supporting and cherishing community.  

Castlemaine Market Building Art Exhibition to March 9. Painting, sculpture, jewelry and photographs from more than 100 established and emerging talented artists who call the Goldfields region home are once again on display at Castlemaine’s historic Market Building in the centre of town. All items are for sale – you might just find something very special.

Lunar New Year, Bendigo, February 14. Celebrate Lunar New Year with multicultural food and entertainment at a free-to-enter family event at Bendigo Da Gum San Precinct, 3 pm to 8pm. More details available at Bendigo Tourism.

Castlemaine Gift Athletics Carnival, February 22. With 150 years of history, this professional running event for all ages is listed on the Victorian Athletics League Calendar. This is a big family event from 10 am to 7 pm at Camp Reserve in town.

Waaman Guided Tour – monthly. Join Uncle Rick Nelson on the first Saturday of each month (February 7, March 7 and April 4) for a memorable two-hour tour of Djaara Country, visiting significant sites selected by Uncle Rick. Learn about ancient traditions, hear rich stories and connect with the land and living culture. Tours depart via bus from the Castlemaine Market Building at 10 am.  Book through the Castlemaine, Maldon and Surrounds website (Bendigo Tourism) or via the official website: waamantours.com.au.

Summer Fields, Castlemaine Art Museum, to March 8.  The golden atmosphere of late summer – insects, sun-bleached grasses, warm evenings – is captured in this exhibition featuring paintings selected from CAM’s collection plus woven baskets, mats and adornments made from canes and grasses.

Taradale Mineral Springs Festival, March 8. A much-loved family festival featuring fine wine, diverse and delicious cuisine, arts, crafts, a classic car show, a spinning wheel, giant raffle and entertainment for all.

Castlemaine State Festival March 20 - 29. One of Victoria pre-eminent regional arts festivals returns in 2026 with a fabulous line up of music, conversation, performance, art installations, an opening street party and much, much more. The festival harnesses the extraordinary creative energy of Castlemaine - home to more creative industries residents that any other area in Australia - in a way that is unique and true to the landscapes and places of the region. Don’t miss it.

Maldon Easter Fair, April 3- 6. The Maldon Easter Fair and Parade began back in 1878, and it is the oldest in Australia. There is an Easter Market Day on Saturday followed by an evening dance party in the streets; a family fun day on Easter Sunday with an egg hunt, nail drive, wheelbarrow races, gumboot throw, tug-of-war, gold panning, face painting, food and drinks; and an eclectic Street Parade and Grand Procession on Easter Monday along with the Great Aussie Egg Toss.

Bendigo Easter Festival, April 3 to 6. This huge family-friendly festival takes over Bendigo’s beautiful Rosalind Park and surrounding streets. Be in the hunt for 80,000 Easter Eggs on Good Friday, find a treasure at the massive Rotary Market, enjoy hands-on activities and performances especially for kids, see the drums and Lion teams as part of the city’s Chinese heritage celebrations, and attend the huge Easter Sunday Gala Parade where Dai Gum Loong, the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, weaves his way through the historic streetscapes of Bendigo. A truly spectacular festival that dates back to the 1870s.

For further details about events and happenings, visit the website and social pages of individual events or go to the Castlemaine Maldon & Surrounds website

Other

Boorp Boorp Boondyil Exhibition (a permanent cultural exhibition). This fascinating and informative exhibition at the Market Building in the heart of Castlemaine is a must-do. Embark on a journey of interactive learning about Djaara country and culture, experience a virtual “Welcome to Country” ceremony and learn about bush foods, medicine, waterways and weavings.

 Wesley Hill Community Market. Castlemaine’s popular Saturday morning community market has been running since 1975! It will be held every Saturday during the summer months, from 9 am to 1 pm. Stallholders vary, but locals show up in droves for great coffee, bread, fresh produce, preserves, plants and bric-a-brac. Stop in for a chat and pick up some food and snacks for your lunch back at BIG4 Castlemaine.

Swimming. Remember, Castlemaine’s main public swimming pool is located next to our entrance, offering a convenient refreshing dip after sightseeing. There are also pools at nearby Chewton, Newstead and Harcourt. Public swimming pools usually close in early March.  

Live Music happens most weekends at venues across the to catch a great gig in Castlemaine, keep an eye on upcoming events at the Bridge Hotel and Shedshaker Brewery just across the road from us or at the iconic Theatre Royal in the heart of town.