Spring is when the Macedon Ranges really comes into its own. Daffodils fill Kyneton, gardens open their gates, artists welcome visitors into their studios and the countryside becomes a backdrop for everything from cycling and running to wine tasting and country shows.
From September through November, there’s a reason to head to the Macedon Ranges in regional Victoria almost every weekend.
Whether you’re planning a spring day trip, a weekend away or a longer country escape, this guide brings together some of the standout spring events in the Macedon Ranges in 2026 – from big annual festivals to quirky local favourites.
Weekend markets in the Macedon Ranges are also extremely popular during spring. Find these covered separately in our guide to spring markets in the Macedon Ranges.
Spring starts with a burst of colour in Kyneton when the Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival returns for ten days.
The 2026 theme is The Bulb & The Beautiful, with daffodils, gardens, art and community at the heart of the program. Look out for the Grand Parade, Spring Daffodil Show, Open Gardens, Scarecrow Trail and Daffodil Art Prize, alongside exhibitions, nature walks and a wonderfully eclectic collection of local events.
There’s also plenty of the unexpected, from Ferret Racing and the Bull Boar Eating Competition to the Dog Dash and Roller Skates Disco. It’s a great time to explore Kyneton on foot, wander Piper Street and see the town at its colourful springtime best.
5 September – Kyneton Antique Fair
Part of the Daffodil & Arts Festival program, the Kyneton Antique Fair is a chance to spend a morning browsing antiques, collectables and vintage pieces.
Pair it with the festival’s gardens and exhibitions, then stay for lunch or a wander through Kyneton.
Swap the daffodils for your running shoes at Pub to Pub, a community favourite that follows the car-free Federation Trail between Romsey and Lancefield.
Held on 20 September, the event is as much about enjoying the countryside and catching up with friends as it is about setting a personal best. Walk, jog or run at your own pace before celebrating at the finish.
It’s not every day that insects become the reason for a country getaway. The National Insect Expo returns to Woodend from 2–4 October and is recognised as Australia’s largest insect exhibition.
More than 100 exhibitors from Australia and New Zealand are expected, with live insect displays, spiders and scorpions, entomological collections, specialist retailers, educators and children’s activities. It’s an intriguing day out for families, nature lovers and anyone with a fascination for the smaller creatures of the natural world.
One of the signature events of spring in the Macedon Ranges, the Bolobek Garden Fair brings garden lovers together at one of Victoria’s most historic gardens.
Held from 10am–4pm on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, the fair features more than 50 specialist and unique stallholders, guest speakers, garden tours and the opportunity to explore Bolobek’s remarkable gardens. It’s a natural fit for anyone planning a spring garden escape, but you don’t have to be a serious gardener to enjoy a day surrounded by plants, beautiful landscapes and country air.
For something with a little more mud and movement, make your way to Lancefield for the Dirty Docker Festival.
Gravel riding, cyclocross, trail running, live music, food and camping come together for a lively weekend at Lancefield Park. You can race, ride or run – or simply settle into the Fiesta Village, watch the action and enjoy the food, drinks and live music.
With camping, campervans and glamping on offer, Dirty Docker is made for turning a day trip into a proper spring weekend away.
Spring takes on an English feel at Duneira Estate Bluebell Festival, when the historic Mount Macedon estate is carpeted with bluebells.
Held from 10am–4pm on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, the festival is a chance to wander through Duneira’s heritage garden, explore the historic homestead, enjoy guided garden tours, listen to local music and sample local wines and gins.
It’s a particularly beautiful time to explore Mount Macedon and makes a natural addition to a spring gardens itinerary.
Get dressed up and head to the track for Kyneton Cup Day on Wednesday 4 November.
Country racing, hospitality and the atmosphere of a day at the races make the Kyneton Cup a different way to experience the region in spring. Make a day of it in Kyneton with lunch, shopping or a wander along Piper Street before or after the races.
For a quintessentially spring experience, keep an eye out for the Peony Open Paddock at Spring Hill.
The five-acre paddock opens when the peonies are in bloom, giving visitors the chance to wander among the flowers and, on selected days, pick their own blooms. The 2026 opening is currently listed as dates to be confirmed between early November and early December, with tickets to go on sale once the flowers begin to bloom.
Because flowering depends on the season, check the listing before you travel and make sure you have a pre-purchased ticket.
See the Macedon Ranges through the eyes of its artists at Open Studios Macedon.
For one weekend, artists across Macedon and Mount Macedon open their working studios to visitors. It’s a rare opportunity to see artists at work, talk about their creative process and discover original works for sale.
The studios feature a diverse range of practices, including painting, botanical art, portrait drawing, encaustic, ceramics, felt, silk painting and machine embroidery. Open from 10am–4pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, entry is free and a local studio map makes it easy to create your own self-guided arts trail.
Come up to the mountain for Mountain Festival 2026, running from 13–15 November in Macedon.
The festival brings together writers, artists, environmentalists, thinkers and curious minds for conversations, workshops, storytelling and experiences inspired by landscape, nature and place.
With the program centred around Macedon and the surrounding mountain landscape, it’s an easy one to turn into a weekend escape from Melbourne. The 2026 program is due to be announced in September.
November is also time for Budburst Wine Festival, when wineries across the Macedon Ranges open their cellar doors for one of the region’s biggest wine weekends.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026, Budburst is an invitation to discover the people, vineyards and cool-climate wines that have put the Macedon Ranges on the wine map. The festival runs from 10am–5pm on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, making it an ideal excuse to slow down, explore the wine region and stay overnight.
For a traditional country day out, it’s hard to go past the Kyneton Agricultural Show.
Returning for its 164th year, the 2026 Show celebrates agriculture, community and country life with animals, country skills, woodchopping, pavilion displays, rides, food, live entertainment and family activities.
Friday 20 November is Carnival Night, running from 5.30pm–10pm, with music, thrill rides, a stunt motorbike show and fireworks. Saturday 21 November is Family Day, running from 9am–4pm.
The beauty of spring in the Macedon Ranges is that you don’t need to choose just one event.
Come for the Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival and stay for gardens, galleries and Piper Street. Plan a weekend around Bolobek Garden Fair, then explore Mount Macedon. Pair Open Studios Macedon with a long lunch and a wander through the villages. Head to Lancefield for Dirty Docker, or make a weekend of Budburst and discover the region’s cool-climate wine country.
And these are just some of the bigger events on the calendar. Throughout spring, you’ll also find exhibitions, workshops, live music, family activities, garden experiences and outdoor adventures happening across the region.
Whether you’re looking for spring events near Melbourne, a family day out, a weekend of gardens and flowers, an arts escape, a country race day or a reason to get outdoors, the Macedon Ranges is close enough for a day trip and rewarding enough to stay a little longer.
Planning a spring getaway from Melbourne? Explore the full What’s On in the Macedon Ranges calendar for the latest event dates, times, ticket information and new events added throughout the season.
Event dates, times and details can change. Check the individual event social media page before travelling.
