The Castlemaine Jazz Festival runs from Friday 5 June to Sunday 7 June 2026, filling the King’s Birthday long weekend with live jazz across six historic venues in central Victoria.
Whether you’re after swing, big band, blues, or late-night jam sessions, this guide covers the full program, what to do between sets, and how to make the most of a winter weekend in Castlemaine. For a broader look at the region, our things to do in Castlemaine guide is a good place to start planning.
What Is the Castlemaine Jazz Festival?
The Castlemaine Jazz Festival is an annual multi-venue jazz celebration held across Castlemaine’s compact town centre.
It’s entirely volunteer-run. Performers give their time, every ticket supports the event, and the community spirit carries across every venue. Castlemaine itself sits in Victoria’s Goldfields region – a town known for its arts scene, gold rush heritage and a food culture that makes the jazz weekend feel like more than just a music event.
The 2026 program runs across The Goods Shed, Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Bowling Club, Northern Arts Hotel, Anglican Church and The Maurocco Bar. Day passes and weekend passes cover all venues and all scheduled performances.
2026 at a glance:
- Dates: Friday 5 June – Sunday 7 June 2026
- When: King’s Birthday long weekend, Victoria
- Format: Multi-venue jazz festival
- Best for: Jazz lovers, couples, families, musicians and weekend travellers
- Tickets and program: castlemainejazzfestival.com.au
Castlemaine Jazz Festival 2026 Program
Friday 5 June: Opening Night
Friday opens at The Goods Shed from 7:00pm with Thompson’s Foundry Band, MaCapellas, The Velvetones and the first-ever Castlemaine Jazz Festival Orchestra. It’s a warm, communal way to begin the weekend.
From 8:00pm, The Maurocco Bar at the Midland Hotel hosts the Jazz Lounge – ambient trio sets, a Paris salon atmosphere and an easy late-evening feel. Arrive on Friday, check in, have a good dinner and let the music ease you in before Saturday begins.
Saturday 6 June: Full Day of Jazz
Saturday is the festival’s centrepiece, with live jazz from 11:30am into the night across several venues.
Castlemaine Bowling Club opens with The Hackney Sacks and builds through The Capitol Theatre Orchestra and Shirazz. It’s relaxed and unhurried – well-suited to families and anyone who wants to take the day slowly.
The Goods Shed program runs longer: Exit Left, The Velvetones, Femmes de la Résistance (a theatrical jazz-cabaret tribute to Josephine Baker), Mad Vantage and Mount Kujo. One of the most varied and enjoyable days on the schedule.
Theatre Royal Castlemaine hosts Low Down Big Band, Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra and Firefly Horns in the evening. Hearing a full big band inside a heritage goldfields theatre is one of those experiences that stays with you long after the weekend is done.
The Saturday Jazz Jam at The Maurocco Bar runs from 8:00pm to 11:00pm — free entry, and musicians are welcome to bring charts and sit in.
Sunday 7 June: Grand Finale
Sunday builds to one of the strongest performances on the Victorian jazz calendar: Vince Jones and Paul Grabowsky at the Theatre Royal.
Two of Australia’s most celebrated jazz musicians sharing a single stage is reason enough to stay through Sunday evening. Book your accommodation for all three nights.
During the day, Pip Avent’s Mouldy Jazz sets a warm, nostalgic tone at Castlemaine Bowling Club from 11:30am. The Maggie Jackson NY Jazz Trio carries the afternoon beautifully.
The Goods Shed Sunday program features the Royal Australian Navy Jazz Ensemble, Melbourne Tramways Big Band, Melba Big Band, Big Band Frequency and Red Sand Big Band – six acts, one stage, no interruptions.
At the Anglican Church, Aryo Seno Ensemble and Dans Les Arbres offer something quieter and acoustic. A thoughtful contrast before the evening finale begins.
Things to Do in Castlemaine During the Jazz Festival
Castlemaine rewards those who explore between sets. The town is compact, creative and easy to move through on foot – there’s no need to drive anywhere all weekend.
The Mill Castlemaine is one of the best stops during the festival. Vintage stalls, local food producers, specialty coffee and the Shedshaker Brewing taproom sit together across 1,800 square metres. It fits naturally between a daytime session and an evening show.
Castlemaine Art Museum presents Australian art and bold regional curation on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. No entry fee for the permanent collection, and it’s worth an hour before the evening program begins.
Buda Historic Home and Garden was built in 1861 and sits on two hectares of heritage gardens. Peaceful and unhurried – it suits a slow Sunday morning before the afternoon builds again.
Start Saturday at the Castlemaine Farmers’ Market near the train station – one of the best spots to explore Castlemaine local produce before the day’s first set.
For dinner, Castlemaine’s restaurants and cafés run deeper than you might expect for a regional town. Book ahead — popular spots fill quickly on a long weekend.
Getting to Castlemaine
Castlemaine is 120 kilometres northwest of Melbourne – around 75 minutes by V/Line train or 90 minutes by car via the Calder Freeway.
The drive from Melbourne to Castlemaine is straightforward. Once you’re in town, the walkable festival layout means you won’t need to touch the car again until you leave. Bring warm layers – June evenings drop to around 5°C, and you’ll be moving between venues after dark.
Where to Stay for the Castlemaine Jazz Festival
After a full day of jazz, good food and winter walking, the right place to return to makes the whole weekend feel complete.
Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation offers a small collection of thoughtfully restored homes — elegant, self-contained Castlemaine accommodation within walking distance of every festival venue. Designed for comfort and privacy, these stays suit couples, small groups and anyone who wants to properly settle into the weekend.
- The Globe: A character-filled historic stay, ideal for couples seeking boutique accommodation in Castlemaine.
- Corvah House: A spacious heritage home offering Castlemaine accommodation with a pool, well-suited to families or a small group.
- Campbell House 1882: A beautifully restored Victorian residence providing self-contained Castlemaine accommodation with generous room to unwind after late sessions.
The King’s Birthday weekend fills quickly. Secure your stay at Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation before the long weekend books out. For more options nearby, our best accommodation in Castlemaine guide covers the full range.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Castlemaine Jazz Festival 2026?
The Castlemaine Jazz Festival 2026 runs from Friday 5 June to Sunday 7 June. It takes place during the King’s Birthday long weekend in Victoria, with events beginning Friday evening and continuing through Sunday night.
Where is the Castlemaine Jazz Festival held?
The Castlemaine Jazz Festival is held across six venues in central Castlemaine: The Goods Shed, Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Bowling Club, Northern Arts Hotel, Anglican Church and The Maurocco Bar. All venues sit within easy walking distance of the town centre.
How much are Castlemaine Jazz Festival tickets?
Castlemaine Jazz Festival tickets range from approximately $50 to $125 for day and weekend passes. Weekend passes cover all venues and all scheduled performances. Tickets are available through the official Castlemaine Jazz Festival website.
Who is performing at the Castlemaine Jazz Festival 2026?
The 2026 program features more than 30 acts across three days, including Vince Jones, Paul Grabowsky, the Royal Australian Navy Jazz Ensemble, Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra, Low Down Big Band and the first-ever Castlemaine Jazz Festival Orchestra.
Is the Castlemaine Jazz Festival family-friendly?
Yes, the Castlemaine Jazz Festival is family-friendly. Daytime sessions run from 11:30am, venues are walkable, and local cafés, galleries and heritage attractions give families plenty to do between sets.
Do I need a car at the Castlemaine Jazz Festival?
No. All Castlemaine Jazz Festival venues sit within the town centre and are reachable on foot. Visitors who stay centrally can walk between every stage, restaurant and accommodation without needing to drive.
How do I get to Castlemaine for the jazz festival?
Castlemaine is 120 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. By V/Line train from Southern Cross Station, the journey takes around 75 minutes. By car via the Calder Freeway, allow approximately 90 minutes.
