Lost Trades Fair, Bendigo March 8 – 10.

• This unique, captivating event attracts more than 150 master artisans from around Australia. Explore, learn and be inspired by the lost arts, rare trades, heritage crafts, ancient arts, tools, traditions, age-old techniques and knowledge on display. Tickets sell fast for this event.

Harcourt Apple Fest, March 8.

• It’s on again, bigger and better than ever. This wonderful day out for everyone offers a Lego competition, market stalls, great food and wine, camel rides, and entertainment. Our favourite is the apple pie eating competition.

Castlemaine Idyll 2025 March 15.

• There’s just something so very Castlemaine about this event, held at the wonderful Lot 19 art and creative. This year’s theme is banging tunes from the 80s/90s/00s and a huge number of entrants have lined up. Plus, there’ll be Kids Karaoke, excellent food and drink and an after-show DJ. Huge, huge fun.

Clunes Booktown Festival March 22 - 23.

• Another favourite. A celebration of books and words in the historic township of Clunes, just 40 minutes or so from Castlemaine. Some big names are on the schedule: Helen Garner, Kate Grenville, Clare Wright, Heather Ewart and Evelyn Araluen, to name just a few. There’s plenty happening for kids, panels and workshops, a poetry slam, food, and books and more books. 

Castlemaine Fringe Festival March 22 – April 6.

• An affordable, fun and busy programme of cultural and community events including the Arts Window Trail, street parties, a family-friendly Monster Mash event, visual arts, music, comedy and theatre.

Bendigo Art Gallery Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image March 15 – July 13.

• This extraordinary exclusive exhibition features Kahlo’s personal belongings, clothing, make-up, accessories, and medical items, on loan from the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico for the first time in Australia. Combine the exhibition with a stay with us in Castlemaine!

Bendigo Easter Festival, April 18 – 21.

• Hugely popular, this four-day festival just 35 minutes’ drive from Castlemaine is very special. There are concerts, roving performers, a massive Good Friday Easter egg hunt (80,000 eggs!), market stalls and much more happening in and around the picturesque Rosalind Park in the centre of the city. Don’t miss the Easter Saturday Torchlight Procession and fireworks and the Easter Sunday parade which features Dai Gum Loong, the world’s longest Imperial Dragon. Fabulous holiday fun!  

Maldon Easter Fair April 18 – 21.

• Country Easter fun for all ages at one of the oldest Easter Fairs in Australia, dating back to 1878. The Easter Monday parade includes fire trucks and penny farthing bicycles, there are egging tossing and scone baking competitions, a billy cart race, quilt show and more.  

Castlemaine Lions Club Swap Meet, April 7.

• This is one of the biggest one-day events in the region. People travel from all over to go through the 600 sites featuring vintage car parts, collectibles and memorabilia. It opens at 6 am and with an early start like that, thankfully there’s coffee and food!

Castlemaine Jazz Festival, June 5 – 8.

• Hugely popular, this three-day festival over the June long weekend features traditional to contemporary jazz and everything in between at venues around Castlemaine, including historic pubs, theatres and unique local spots. Save the dates and look out for full programme details in due course.

OTHER STUFF!

Live Music Every Weekend.

• Most weekends in Castlemaine see a fabulous line-up of outstanding live music and entertainment. Check out the historic Bridge Hotel across the road from BIG4 Castlemaine, the Taproom at Shedshaker Brewing at the Mill Complex, the iconic Theatre Royal and the Northern Arts Hotel – for starters.   Well worth a few days away in Castlemaine to take it all in.

Boorp Boor Boondyil Exhibition (a permanent cultural exhibition).

• This award-winning exhibition at the Market Building in the heart of Castlemaine is a must-do. Embark on a journey of interactive learning about Jaara culture, stories and teaching, experience a virtual “Welcome to Country” ceremony and learn about bush foods, medicine, waterways and weavings.

Castlemaine Artists’ Market.

• Last Sunday of the month. A fabulous market for all the family. Arts, crafts, designer clothing, timber furnishings, jewellery and more from dozens of talented Central Victoria creators and makers. There’s also always some excellent coffee and food. It all happens at Western Reserve, Forest Street, between 10 am and 3 pm.

Castlemaine Farmers’ Market.

• First Sunday of the month 9 am to 1.30 pm on the Western Reserve, Forest Street, in the centre of town. A Wednesday afternoon market is also held on Camp Reserve, Forest Street, near the Railway Station.

Other Markets.

• There are monthly farmers’ markets in Maldon, Bendigo, Malmsbury (combined with an Artists’ Market) and Talbot.

For more details and information about events, visit the website and social pages of individual events or go to Bendigo Tourism’s Castlemaine Maldon & Surrounds website.