The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is set to light up the Macedon Ranges in Victoria once again this June, uniting world‑class musicians, performers and thought‑leaders for four days of music, ideas and creativity. The 2026 program spans classical and contemporary performance, family events, opera, theatre and powerful conversations.
This year’s program opens with an electrifying jazz concert from the Chris Johnstone/ Mat Jodrell Quartet, setting the tone for a weekend rich with musical discovery.
Attendees can look forward to exceptional performances across classical, contemporary, opera, theatre and family programming, including Coady Green’s dramatic pairing of Liszt and Linda Kouvaras sonatas; one of the first Australian performances of Paul Wiancko’s acclaimed LIFT by Affinity Quartet; and the long‑awaited return of Monteverdi’s monumental 1610 Vespers by Ensemble Gombert and Accademia Arcadia conducted by John O’Donnell, who will also direct a performance of Bach’s Musical Offering.
ARIA Award‑winning pianist Tamara‑Anna Cislowska will pair with one of Australia’s most lauded composers Elena Kats‑Chernin, traversing the wondrous catalogue of Kats-Chernin’s music; while also providing a masterclass event for school aged pianists. Families can then emerge themselves magical world of Scheherazade and the 1001 Nights, performed by Inventi Ensemble.
Seraphim Trio will showcase four Australian composer variations on a Schubert waltz alongside Tchaikovsky’s deeply moving Piano Trio in A minor; and WWAF’s very own Artistic Director Jacqueline Ogeil will illuminate the neglected genius of 18th‑century composer Sebastián de Albero.
Audiences can also enjoy a sweeping recital spanning five centuries from international accordion star James Crabb, and the stylish close‑harmony jazz of the Melbourne Octet. The T-Shirt Opera Company will deliver a playful operatic highlights Opera Unmasked, over dinner at The Victoria Hotel, while Peter’s Rose’s absurdist troupe, The Highly Strung Players will perform three highly amusing short plays.
WWAF’s ever-popular Words & Ideas program will once again bring some of the nation’s most respected voices to Woodend. Leading social psychologist Hugh Mackay will lead a discussion on community, belonging and kindness in an age of fragmentation. Former Chief Scientist Alan Finkel confronts the rise of AI‑generated creativity and the importance of protecting human expression; respected writer Anna Goldsworthy will discuss the cultural and existential implications of AI; while author and commentator David Marr will reflect on preserving enduring truths amid the noise of modern discourse.
Bestselling author of The Dressmaker fame, Rosalie Ham will lead a fun discussion on the joy of getting older, following the recent launch of her first non-fiction book titled Look After Your Feet. And families will love the joyful, family‑friendly session led by celebrated author Maxine Beneba Clarke, who will share poetry, picture books and the creative power of storytelling for young people.
Tickets are on sale now.
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