This long weekend take some time out from the hustle and bustle of every day life and enjoy the festivals, good food and wine, markets and the ever great community spirit from regional Victoria.

Heathcote on Show

Celebrate this long weekend with winemakers, chefs, brewers, and musicians.

The annual event showcases the wine, food and fun of the region.

Enjoy exclusive tastings, winery dinners, new releases, gourmet food, workshops, music, museum specials, community activities and over 20 cellar doors at over 30 locations across the Heathcote region.

Visit Heathcote on Show for more. Buses from Bendigo to Heathcote available Saturday and Sunday, phone Bendigo Visitor Centre for more information 1800 813 153.

Where: Heathcote region

When: Saturday – Monday, June 9-11, from 10am. 

Boogie Nights

Dance the night away at an event held by the Spring Gully Hall Committee.

The evening includes music by Max Farrar, a delicious home cooked supper and raffles with prizes.  

Admission is $9.00. Everyone welcome.

For more information contact Keith on 5444 2953.

Where: Spring Gully Hall, Spring Gully Road, Bendigo. 

When: Saturday, June 9, from 8pm – midnight. 

Welcome Wednesdays

Welcome Wednesdays is a new community based venture of St John’s Presbyterian Church, Bendigo. 

The event is being led by Rev. Keith Bell, who, with his wife Jenny, moved to Bendigo at the start of the year after serving at the Alice Springs Presbyterian Church. 

From this week community members can drop in for conversation, friendship, a hot drink, craft activities and lots more. 

New migrants to Bendigo wanting to practise their English conversation are welcome, as well as their children.

For more information or if you have any questions, contact the church on 5443 6189.

Where: Chuch hall meeting room, 35-41 Forest Street, Bendigo. 

When: Every Wednesday starting June 13, 10am-1pm.

Midstate Mopars 

The Central Victorian Chrysler Club is again hosting the annual Mid State Mopars this weekend. 

With more than 350 old and new vehicles on display, the highlight of the weekend will be the Show and Shine.

The Mid State Mopars will also include a cruise to Castlemaine to view a private car collection, which will depart from Lake Weeroona at 1pm on Saturday.

Please note, there will be road closures for this event. Visit Mid State Mopars for more details.  

Where: Various locations in Bendigo

When: Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11, from 8am

Farewell Autumn, Hello Winter

The Maldon Market will be the centre of attention this weekend.

Along with the region’s other events such as the Maldon Swap Meet (listed below) and the Victorian Goldfields Railway, there’s plenty to do right across the weekend.

For warmth in the cooler weather, market goers can find all their winter woolies at the stalls. 

The day also features live music from singer-songwriter Sarah Wilkinson, donkey rides, face painting and a jumping castle for the kids.

Don’t forget to grab a boomerang bag and help reduce the plastic use in Maldon.

The Maldon Market is an initiative of the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre.​

Where: Fountain Street, Maldon

When: Sunday, June 10, 9am-1.30pm

Rotary Art Show 

With a variety of art and sculptures, this art show is not to be missed. The show features local and interstate artists.

For further information phone 0418 535 257.

Where: Town Hall, Castlemaine

When: June 9-11, from 10am 

Castlemaine Jazz Festival 

If you enjoy great talent and want to celebrate a long weekend with music and community spirit, then the fifth annual Castlemaine Jazz Festival is the place for you.

The festival will be taking place in the heart of historic Castlemaine in various venues which are all within walking distance.

This year’s festival features more than 350 musicians including guest artists Astrid Sulaiman on piano and Yuri Mahatma on guitar with their quartet from Bali.

For more information see Castlemaine Jazz Festival.

Where: Various locations in Castlemaine

When: June 9-11, 11am-11pm

Swap Meet

The easy going nature of Maldon’s Swap Meet will allow for all to have an enjoyable experience. 

Admission is $5, kids free. 

For all enquiries (including information about hosting a site) phone Mark on 0414 244 842 or email: blytheau@gmail.com

Where: Racecourse Reserve, Maldon

When: Sunday, June 10, 7am-2pm 

Winter Wine and Dine

The third annual Wine and Dine Redesdale is set to be bigger and better than previous years. The event is a celebration of winter, the passionate local producers and their produce. 

The weekend will provide opportunities to sip some local wines, eat food by an open (and very warm) fire and enjoy some local music.

Many of the producers featured will also be available to meet over the weekend.

The weekend also features live music and lots of activities for children.

Camping is available for those with caravans.

Entry is free.

For more details please call Beth and Garth at The Redesdale Hotel on 03 4405 0601 or follow them on Facebook.

Where: Various locations in Redesdale 

When: Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, 10.30am-4pm 

Steam Rally Heritage Tour

Enjoy a Heritage Train tour to Echuca for the annual Echuca Steam Rally this Saturday.

The day starts with a free breakfast in Seymour Station’s historic dining room prior to departure.

In Echuca, a free shuttle bus will take you to the steam rally or you can enjoy a historical experience with one of the paddle steamers, both with lunch and transfers included.

For more details, see Seymour Railway Heritage Centre.

Where: Station Street, Seymour

When: Saturday, June 9, 8.30am-7pm

Community Market

Head to Dunolly for part of your weekend to their community market.

At the market, you can buy local produce, plants and gardening supplies, arts, crafts, collectables, furniture, clothing, delicious jams and preserves, wine and cakes.

For more details, phone 0448 681 147.

Where: Broadway, Dunolly

When: Sunday, June 10, 9am-2pm

The Dunolly Queen’s Birthday Gilbert and Sullivan Festival

A weekend of music will be presented in the historic buildings that grace this gold rush town.

Featuring The Gilbert & Sullivan Singers, The Dunolly Follies, The Gondoliers and more, this toe tapping event is perfect for a Queen’s birthday.

For bookings, please contact 0427 275 006 or book here. 

Where: Various locations in Dunolly 

When: June 9-11, from 10am

Flea Market

Malmsbury may be a regional town of less than 1000 people however their flea market has garnered a reputation for being the place to find a bargain or different treasures for people of all ages.

Entry is by gold coin donation, with proceeds going to improving the town hall.

Enquiries to Sue: 0408 336 352. 

Where: Malmsbury Town Hall

When: Sunday, June 10, from 9am

Kyneton Community Market

Kyneton is the place to go this Saturday if you’re looking for a regional community market.

The market features stalls and vendors from all over Victoria selling everything, bric-a-brac, art, food, clothes, plants and fine local produce.

Pick up a bargain and buy some fine food at the same time.

The market is run by Kyneton Rotary and all funds raised go to local and Rotary projects.

Where: Piper Street, Kyneton

When: Saturday, June 9, 8am-2pm

Kyneton Farmers' Market

As this event is accredited with the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association, you can be assured of the quality of produce from the Kyneton Farmers' Market.

Now in it's 12^th year, the market features local produce, and food. 

The day also includes a markers market on the upper level where you can buy locally-produced handicrafts.

Where: Piper Street, Kyneton 

When: Saturday, June 9, 8am-1pm 

Do you have a community event you would like featured in our What's On section? We'd love to know. Email us at: addynews@fairfaxmedia.com.au or phone us on 5434 4470.