Maldon is about to echo with half a century of folk music as the 50th Maldon Folk Festival arrives this October.
Picture yourself wandering down High Street as twilight paints Maldon’s heritage facades in honeyed gold, the clip-clop of your footsteps on weathered bluestone mingling with the distant thrum of a mandolin drifting from an open pub door. Fairy lights twinkle between century-old shopfronts where buskers spin Celtic melodies into the crisp autumn air, while the scent of woodsmoke and coffee mingles with laughter spilling from crowded beer gardens.
This is Maldon during folk festival weekend – a town where time seems to fold in on itself, where horse-drawn carriages once carried gold now carry the echoes of fiddles and harmonicas, and where every weathered brick building pulses with the heartbeat of half a century’s worth of music. As October arrives, the 50th Maldon Folk Festival transforms this National Trust classified township into something magical.
50th Maldon Folk Festival
- When: Friday 31 October to Monday 3 November 2025
- Where: Various venues throughout Maldon, Victoria
- Tickets: Available through the festival website
- Camping: Football oval sites $150 for two adults and two children
- Special train performances: Saturday 1 November at 1pm and 3pm
- Tickets are selling fast with discounted early bird three available now
- Find out more here
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The full Maldon Folk Festival lineup
- Eric Bogle
- The Bushwackers
- Gina Jeffreys
- Rod McCormack with James Gillard
- The Maldon – Tamworth Troubadours
- 19-Twenty
- Claymore
- Scott Cook
- Rory Faithfield
- Heart Songs
- George Mann
- Kris Mizzi
- Greg Champion
- Jane Saunders
- Colin Buchanan
- The Sweet Sorrows
- The Ugly Uncles
- The Fiddle Chicks
- Paul Wookey
- Marilla Homes
- The Nightingales
- The Royal High Jinx
- Pete Titchener
- Out Of Hand
- The Wilson Beck Experience
- Fiona Ross
- Play It Martha
- The Tequila Mockingbirds
- Hannah Schmidli
- Emily Jane Pritchard
- Rob Barratt
- Karlo Acinue
- Saoirse
- Hiraeth
- Blackwood
- Kyneton Street Band
- Maldon Brass Band
- Wattle Lane
- Dodsworth Family
- Marie Goldsworthy
- Bruce Watson
- Harpers Bizarre
- Jeanette Gillespie & Duncan Brown
- O’Shea Ryan Academy Of Irish Dancing
- Brewers Own Bush Band
- Marty Mulholland
- The Rhymer From Ryde
- Noel Bull
- Lorraine McCrimmon
- Margaret Crichton
- Bush Sessions
- A Bit Of English
- Campbell The Swaggie
- Michael The Balloonologist
- Laid Back Skreitch
- Emu Creek Bush Band And Friends
- The Britannia Morris
- The Connected Circus
- Rudy The Music Man
Legendary performers return home
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The 50th Maldon Folk Festival represents a remarkable achievement for Australia’s folk music scene.
Victoria’s historic gold rush town transforms into a musical wonderland each year, with heritage buildings providing the perfect backdrop for four days of folk, celtic, bluegrass, blues and roots music. This year’s milestone celebration promises to be the most spectacular yet, with organisers bringing together legendary performers who have graced the festival for decades alongside exciting newcomers making their Maldon debut.
What began in 1974 has evolved into one of the country’s most beloved community festivals, maintaining its intimate atmosphere while showcasing world-class talent across multiple venues throughout the National Trust classified township.
From Eric Bogle to Gina Jeffreys
This year’s lineup reads like a who’s who of Australian and international folk music. Scottish-born Eric Bogle returns with his band, bringing songs like And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda and No Man’s Land that have become anthems of the folk movement. The legendary Bushwackers, celebrating their 52nd year, will deliver their distinctive Australian sound with founding members Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett leading the charge.
Country music royalty Gina Jeffreys makes a special appearance, the first female in Australian country history to achieve platinum sales. She’ll be joined by producer and multi-instrumentalist Rod McCormack, who has crafted over 30 number one country hits and worked with everyone from Johnny Cash to KD Lang.
International voices join the celebration
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International flavour comes courtesy of Scott Cook from Canada, who has completed 10 Australian tours, and Ireland’s Rory Faithfield, currently recording his sixth album. The Sweet Sorrows bring Celtic charm from County Wexford, while Scotland’s Fiona Ross, a finalist for Scots Singer of the Year, shares traditional Scottish song.
The festival’s commitment to emerging talent shines through the Roddy Read Songwriting Award, with 2024 winner Emily Jane Pritchard returning to perform alongside past winners Hannah Schmidli and other notable alumni. The competition, sponsored by Maton Guitars, continues to discover Australia’s next generation of songwriting talent.
Melbourne’s vibrant music scene is well represented with acts like 19-Twenty bringing high-energy blues and roots, Celtic rockers Claymore defying expectations with their 21st-century take on traditional music, and the theatrical Royal High Jinx adding world music flair with their Balkan-influenced sound.
Historic venues tell their own stories
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Festival venues span the entire historic town, from the intimate Progress Hall with its 300-seat capacity to the unique acoustic setting of the Anglican Church. The Troubadour Wine Bar in Memorial Gardens offers a listening room atmosphere, while the Vintage Machinery Museum provides an industrial backdrop for larger acts. Perhaps most uniquely, the Victorian Goldfields Railway hosts performers in heritage carriages during special steam train journeys.
Beyond the main stages, Maldon Folk Festival celebrates community participation with bush dancing, morris dancing, circus workshops, poetry recitals and instrument making exhibitions. The Britannia Morris dancers have been delighting street audiences for over 20 years, while the Connected Circus provides family-friendly entertainment with hula hoops, spinning plates and giant games.
Local legends Campbell the Swaggie maintains the spirit of Australian folk tradition as the country’s last authentic swagman, while poets like the Rhymer from Ryde and Noel Bull keep bush poetry alive with humorous and serious verse.
Community spirit at the heart
The festival’s accessibility remains a priority, with all venues within walking distance and disability access throughout. Accommodation ranges from camping on the football oval to historic bed and breakfasts, with free camping available at Mount Tarrangower Reserve for those seeking a more rustic experience.
Food and beverage options celebrate local flavours, with coffee vendors, food stalls and licensed bars across multiple venues. The festival’s commitment to community extends to its volunteer program, with locals contributing thousands of hours to ensure smooth operations.
As Maldon prepares for this golden anniversary celebration, the festival continues honouring the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of the land. This acknowledgement reflects the festival’s evolution from a simple community gathering to a culturally significant event that respects both musical tradition and indigenous heritage.
The 50th Maldon Folk Festival represents more than just a milestone; it’s a testament to the enduring power of folk music to bring communities together across generations and cultures.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Maldon Folk Festival.
