Maldon In Winter Festival Program
The Maldon In Winter Festival is celebration of all things Maldon. Celebrate the Winter Solstice by the community bonfire, pop into an exhibition or don a beanie and join in the fun.
Click the calendar to make a plan or see below for event details.
Winter Solstice Train
Saturday 21 June
It’s the winter solstice and Maldon is getting ready to show a warm welcome to our visitors. Celebrate the solstice with a steam train ride to the historic town of Maldon for the winter bonfire.
Your heritage steam train will depart Castlemaine Station at 5.15pm and make its way through the chill night air to Maldon - you’ll be able to relax and purchase a drink from the bar.
It’s a short walk from the station to the Maldon Machinery Museum. At the museum, there will be a plenty of food stalls musical entertainment and of course the bonfire to keep you warm on a brisk night.
After a couple of hours enjoying the bonfire, you’ll make your way back to the station to board the warm train for the return trip.
Once back on board, the train will make a spirited run back to Castlemaine, arriving in time for passengers to make the 10:33pm V/line service to Bendigo or the 10:55 service to Melbourne
Maldon Lions Club Bonfire
Saturday 21 June
MAY CHANGE DUE TO WET WEATHER
Get your group together and join us for an unforgettable evening around the mesmerizing bonfire.
This free event is open to everyone, and no tickets or reservations are required. Just come and immerse yourself in the magical ambiance of the bonfire! Entertainers and delicious food vans will be part of the magic.
Double up on the experience by taking the Steam Train to and from Castlemaine or gather at the Maldon Station to greet the train and join the circus performers to lead the way to the Machinery Museum
Time: From 6pm
Location: Phoenix Street, near the Men’s Shed
No bookings required
Maldon Portrait Prize
Thursday 5 June to Sunday 29 June
Maldon has a deep and rich tradition of supporting, presenting and celebrating the Visual Arts. Maldon Artist Network in collaboration with Cascade Art Gallery, Maldon’s Fine Art Treasure is proud to present the Maldon Portrait Prize, 2025.
The Maldon Portrait Prize is generously sponsored by the Hillary Merkus Recordati Foundation, (HMR Foundation) an arts foundation established in Italy in 2021.
The finalists can be viewed at Cascade Art Gallery, 1a Fountain Street, Maldon, Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
More information available at MANet
Maldon Primary School Portraits
5 June to 20 June
As you walk along the streets of Maldon, you will be able to enjoy Ceramic Portraits, carefully created by students from Grades 3 & 4 at Maldon Primary School. The Ceramic Portraits will be on display in shop windows from 6 June. Consistent with tradition, Maldon Artist Network (MANet) and Cascade Fine Art Gallery have worked with Maldon Primary School to produce and exhibit these delightful portraits by children. Sponsored by Maldon Inc.
Victorian Goldfields Railway
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Step back in time with a ride on the authentic Steam Train.
The train runs between Maldon & Castlemaine Stations, on these dates:
Sun 22nd June, Fri 27th June, Sun 29th June, Fri 4th July, Sat 5th July, Sun 6th July, Fri 11th July, Sat 12th July, Sun 13th July, Fri 18th July, Sat 19th July, Sun 20th July
For more details and tickets go to the VGR Website
48 Main Wine Bar
Thursday to Sunday
Ideally placed in the main street of town, 48 Main Wine Bar is the cornerstone of free live music entertainment in Maldon. This shop-sized bar offers a warm and cozy escape with local wines, local beers, local musicians, and featured cocktails, amid friendly Maldon folk and visitors alike.
Friday 20 June - DJ Diggerman & Supper Club
Sunday 22 June - The Loud Shirts
Friday 27 June - Live Music
Sunday 29 June - Paper Jane
Sunday 6 July - Ghosts on the Highway
Saturday 12 July - Grim Fawkner
Sunday 13 July - Mick Voates & The Tibooburra Three
Saturday 19 July - The Amazing Valentinos
Regular opening times:
Thursday from 4pm
Friday from 4pm
Saturday from 1pm - acts usually from 7pm
Sunday from 1pm - acts usually from 4pm
Cacao Ceremony - Ignite the Fire Within
Sunday 22 June
Opening the space
Release and Manifestation
Symbolic Rebirth Ritual
Cacao Drink & Blessing
Meditation
Intention of Light
Infused Nature Jar
Dancing & Chants
Closing the Ceremony
Pure Gold Holistic & Wellbeing, 1 Spring St, Maldon
Bookings here
Midwinter Community Lunch
Wednesday 25 June
Maldon in Winter Community Lunch - held every Wednesday during school term. Freshly cooked healthy wholesome meal, catering for Meat lovers, Vegans/Vegetarians, & Gluten Free (please call).
For the Maldon in Winter Festival, the lunch will be served with mulled wine (non alcoholic), local sourdough bread, tea/coffee and a delicious sweet. There will be a local musician for the occasion and good local company.
All welcome, no booking required.
A $7 donation for a good feed and a friendly chat with some local people.
Wednesday 25 June, 12pm
Maldon Community Centre - Francis Street
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday 28 June
‘Climbing our personal Mt Everest’ - Being Role Models & Encouragers
with Speaker Gavin Alexander.
Gavin has a lifetime of experience as a police officer; teacher of life skills to students; and now in pastoral work.
Baptist Hall - 8 Edwards St, Maldon
9am
No cost but please RSVP for catering:
Steve - 0434 903 217
Gavin - 0408 581 652
Murder on the Orient Express
Saturday 28 June
Join us as we travel in our own Orient Express while we watch this classic 1974 movie.
In arguably the best cinematic version of the ultimate murder mystery we accompany Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) and a star-studded cast as he solves his most baffling case.
A welcome aboard glass of champagne sets the scene. A short introductory talk explains some of the background and actual events that led Agatha Christie to pen the novel.
We view the movie as our train slowly steams through the night to Maldon. Accompanied by the sights and sounds of our steam engine, the level crossing bells, the passing lights in the night, it is an unforgettable experience.
During the journey and at interval at Maldon the fully stocked bar is open and our stewards are on hand to offer a drinks' and snack service that Poirot would be proud of! On the return to Castlemaine watch Poirot use his little grey cells to solve the ultimate "whodunit".
Depart Castlemaine Station at 6.45pm
$121 per person
Poppy’s Preloved Pop-up Shop
Over two weekends
It will be wonderful to have Poppy’s Boutique back in Maldon.
Choose from a lovely range of Preloved Women’s Clothing.
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 June
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July
10am to 4pm (or later)
3 Spring Street, Maldon
Cascade Art Gallery
July 3 to 27
Winter Exhibition
Missed some of the excellent exhibitions at Cascade Gallery?
Never fear, there is always more!
Maldon in Winter is a great time to rug up & visit galleries in central Victoria. Cascade will have all their favourite bright artists on display. David Moore, John Wolseley, Liz Sullivan, Julie Andrews, KJ Bishop, Jeff Gardner, David Frazer, Gabrielle Martin, Sam Varian & more.
A little bit of light on everyone...
Open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Cascade Art Gallery
1a Fountain Street
Barefoot Bowls Under Lights
Friday 4 July
Maldon Bowls welcome you to 'Barefoot Bowls Under Lights and Community BBQ'.
Get involved with free coaching & free use of equipment, music, fire pit & BBQ.
All welcome and children under 12 free.
From 5pm
$5.00 entry includes a free ticket for our famous raffle which includes great prizes from local businesses.
Exploring Portraiture - Maldon Primary School Students
Friday 4 to 27 July
Maldon Artist Network will host an exhibition of portraits by the Grade 5 & 6 students attending Maldon Primary School
Students from the Maldon Primary School will participate in a workshop at the Maldon Portrait Prize exhibition, held at Cascade Gallery June 5 to 29th June.
The students will explore the challenging and different aspects of portraiture and then create their own portraits.
The Maldon Artist Network is proud to support this event and will display their works at an exhibition in the Maldon Artist Network Gallery, 27 Main Street Maldon
Maldon Museum and Archives Open Day
Sunday 6 July
Maldon Museum & Archives Association welcomes everyone to an Open Day at the Maldon District Museum and History Research Centre to view the vast collection of artefacts, photographs and historical records that tell the stories of Maldon and surrounding districts.
Volunteers will be available to talk to visitors about the work they do to preserve, present and promote our local history - such as family and property history research, cataloguing artefacts and documents, preparing displays, hosting historical tours and promoting heritage conservation in the community. Come along and discover our museum and history research centre.
Sunday 6 July 11 am to 4pm
For further information about the Open Day email secretary@maldonmuseum.com.au
Cold coin donation appreciated.
Deep Listening to Nature
Sunday 6 July
How can we engage our hearing to connect more deeply to nature around us?
Acoustic ecologist, Andrew Skeoch, will guide you into hearing the communications of nature; developing your listening skills, identifying species by ear, recognising behavious and repertoire, and fidning empathy with the voices of other beings. Deeper listening allows us to hear the integrity of habitats, and revewals communicative interations that support the functioning of natural systems.
Andrew’s presentations are an immersive weaving of evocative recordings, fascinating spectrogram analysis and original ideas. You’ll hear the natural environment around you in a whole new way.
Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Church Street, Maldon
2 - 3.30pm
Gold coin donation
Bring Out Your Beanies!
Sunday 6 July
Join us for a fun winters day and wear a warm beanie to keep the chills away.
Make a beanie and wear it with pride - the most outrageous and spectacular the better
Prices for:
Best technical
Most weird and wonderful
Enchanted themed Beanie
Parade starts 1 to 2pm - Cnr Main & High St., Maldon
Register NOW Free entry
Funky Felt Hats & Novelty Beanies
4 to 6 July
Find inspiration for your fun beanie creation or purchase something warm and wonderful.
Yak Yak Yak is a small business that supports makers in Mongolia & returns proceeds to an Mongolian Orphanage. You can purchase a handmade beanie as inspiration for your own beanie creation or even upcycle a beanie already in your collection.
1 Spring Street, Maldon
Christmas-in-Winter Feast at
Porcupine Village
Friday 11 July
Enjoy a three-course traditional Christmas in Winter menu at the Golden Nugget Restaurant in Porcupine Village.
From 6pm
$52 per head
Golden Nugget Restaurant: 8 Allans Rd., Maldon.
Bookings essential - call 4417 5909
Maldon Market
Sunday 13 July
The wonderful Hand Made & Home Grown Maldon Community Market will be buzzing on Sunday 13 July. Come along to enjoy the delicious foods and pick up some local produce. A terrific way to finish the Maldon in Winter Festival
Maldon Neighbourhood Centre
1 Church Street
9am to 1.30pm
Gold coin donation
Ride Historic Maldon
Sunday 13 July
Join us for a guided ride around Maldon and surrounding bush. The ride will explore some of the heritage buildings within Maldon township and unique gold-mining landscapes within the Maldon Historic Reserve.
Bring a picnic lunch or snack for a rest stop along the route. The riding level is moderate with some short hills, with a mix of sealed roads and gravel tracks (a hybrid or mountain bike is recommended).
The route is 6 km long and will take a leisurely 1.5 hrs. Please remember to bring a helmet and drinking water, and picnic if desired.
This is a free event and riders will be participating at their own risk. Enquiries, email friendsofmhr@gmail.com
Departing from the Maldon Post Office at 11am
Knight Drawing
17 & 18 July
Knight drawing non tutioned
Get creative, experience the opportunity to draw, paint or sculpture a knight in full armour
Thursday 17 July, 5pm to 7.30pm
$35
Enjoy some mulled wine and nibbles during the break (recommended for 18 years and over)
https://www.trybooking.com/DCJVP
Knight drawing
Get creative, experience the opportunity to draw, paint or sculpture a knight in full armour. Some materials will be supplied
Friday 18 July, 1 to 3pm
$20
(Recommended for 11 years and over)
https://www.trybooking.com/DCJVY
MANet Gallery
27 Main St, Maldon
Beeswax Candle Making
Friday 18 July
A hands-on experience where we will be making amazing rolled beeswax candles with wax provided by local apiary, Warral Maldon. They look beautiful, smell divine, and are perfect for a winter’s day. All ages welcome! There will also be a free raffle with honey and other goodies from Warral Maldon.
11am to 6pm
Cost - free
Maldon Artist Network Gallery, 27 Main Street, Maldon
Fine Foodie Faire
Across the Maldon In Winter Festival, partake of the delicious offerings from the local establishments
Cafe Maldon - Warm spice apple juice is a tonic for a cold day
Gold Exchange Cafe - indulge in a luxurious Belgium Chocolate Hot drink
IGA Liquor Store - Local winter reds to enjoy by the fire
Maldon Bakery - Established in 1854, the oldest continuously running bakery in Australia.
Maldon Butcher - Bio dynamic meats specialists for a delicious roast
Maldon Fudge & Icecreamery - the handmade Warral Honey Maldon Ice cream and Fudge will give you a flavour burst
Maldon Hotel - Enjoy a hearty Boutique brown ale
Maldon Lolly Shop - pick up a bag of Maldon Rock for an original sweet treat
Maldon Rose Cafe - delicious new
Hot Chocolate Flavours and gourmet marshmallows.
Much Ado General Store - find a range of interesting and local Gin supplies
The Blue Cockatoo Bar (out the back of the Maldon Takeaway) -
Venture into the exotic tavern and treat yourself to a warm mead
The Good Food Providers - delicious cafe fare with a French influence
This Little Piggy Asian Market - Made locally prepackage meals from around the world to enjoy in your home (95 High Street, next to the Post Office)
