The Castlemaine State Festival began in 1976 through the vision of founder Berek Segan AM OBE. Fifty years on, it’s become Australia’s longest-running regional arts festival — and our 2026 programme is now live, with tickets on sale.

Across ten days, Castlemaine fills with music, performance, exhibitions, talks, workshops and those “only here” experiences shaped by the region’s people and places. From Town Hall to churches, gardens and surprising corners of the shire, this anniversary year brings the Festival back in full colour.

Explore the programme and book your tickets.