Opening Weekend of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival
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Published on 18 March 2022
The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival kicks off this weekend with a fantastic line-up of events and activities to explore our backyard.
The festival will officially open with three unique First Nations Cultural Heritage Events over two days celebrating the region’s rich Indigenous heritage and the launch of Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
Those attending will experience a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.
The Gardeners will be appearing at the Lancefield Farmers’ Market on Saturday 26 March and the Ultimate Picnic on Sunday 27 March. These other-worldly hobbit-like characters made by local puppeteers will be wandering the crowds, spreading messages and gifts of joy and kindness.
Hanging Rock will be buzzing with feel good vibes from the Macedon Ranges Music Festival on Saturday afternoon and into the evening. The event has a fantastic line-up of artists, including headline act Ash Grunwald, a Youth Zone and food stalls featuring local wine, beer and cider to get into the Autumn Festival groove.
When the sun sets on Saturday, the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens will be transformed into a magical, autumn evening wonderland with Journey - an interactive lighting and sound experience created by local artists. This mesmerising event will be held across multiple dates throughout the festival.
If you’re feeling peckish whilst enjoying the festival, check out the Autumn Pie & Tart Trail for a mouth-watering pastry at one of the participating bakeries, cafes, pubs or wineries. The trail also offers the chance to win a $600 Macedon Ranges escape if you share a picture or video of your Autumn Pie & Tart Trail pastry experience on Instagram.
Other festival highlights on the opening weekend include:
Ultimate Autumn Picnic featuring live music from Cassidy La Crème at the Gisborne Children’s Adventure Park. Soulfood + Soultunes at Hunter-Gatherer Winery Mountain Writers Festival Author Lunch at Macedon Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial Gin Afternoon Tea Autumn Indulgence at Big Tree Distillery Outdoor Sound Bowl Meditation in Kyneton Botanic Gardens Autumn Competitive Flower & Produce Show at Mount Macedon Le Gran Fiesta at Gisborne with Kristina Diaz, the pioneer of the Australian tango movementMayor Cr Jennifer Anderson is looking forward to opening the Autumn Festival and welcoming visitors to explore our shire, and is equally as excited to launch the RAP and to have three very special First Nations cultural heritage events on this year’s festival program.
“I would encourage everyone to get out and enjoy one of the many Autumn Festival events in the Macedon Ranges, especially to experience a Welcome to Country at one of the First Nations cultural events and Journey in the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens where First Nations artist Tashara Roberts’ work will be showcased.”
“Events such as these provide an opportunity to celebrate First Nations Peoples and create a shared future, where Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples’ histories, cultures and rights are respected, learned from and celebrated,” she said.
For more about the Autumn Festival head to visitmacedonranges.com/autumn-festival/