The Woodend Winter Arts Festival returns to Victoria's Macedon Ranges for four inspiring days of music, ideas and creativity. The 2026 program spans classical and contemporary music, jazz, opera, theatre, family events and engaging conversations.

The festival opens with an electrifying jazz concert from Chris Johnstone and Mat Jodrell, setting the tone for a weekend of rich musical discovery. Highlights include ARIA Award‑winning pianist Tamara‑Anna Cislowska pairing with one of Australia's most lauded composers Elena Kats‑Chernin, traversing the wondrous catalogue of Kats-Chernin's music.

Other musical standouts include internationally acclaimed accordion virtuoso James Crabb in a sweeping recital across five centuries; Affinity Quartet performing Paul Wiancko's LIFT in one of its first Australian outings, Seraphim Trio in Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio; and Monteverdi's monumental Vespers of 1610 performed by Ensemble Gombert and Accademia Arcadia.

Woodend Winter Arts Festival's Artistic Director Jacqueline Ogeil champions the keyboard sonatas of Sebastián de Albero; while families are invited to step into the magical world of 1001 Nights, performed by Inventi Ensemble.

Woodend Winter Arts Festival also features an insightful, timely and thought‑provoking Words and Ideas program. Hear leading Australian thinkers and writers explore community, kindness, truth, ageing, creativity and what it means to be human in the age of AI. Join Hugh Mackay, David Marr, Alan Finkel, Anna Goldsworthy and Rosalie Ham, plus a free children's event with Maxine Beneba Clarke.