This week in the Macedon Ranges (December 16-January 19)

Welcome to Your Macedon Ranges for Monday, December 16, to Sunday, January 19.

🚒 Before jumping on his sleigh, Santa will be touring our towns and villages aboard CFA fire trucks. See my Christmas guide for the dates and routes of the local Santa Runs.

🍷 Summertime Fling, the Macedon Ranges’ festival of “everything wine, food and fun”, will take place next month. Cellar doors will be holding special events from January 3-27. Click here to see what’s on.

🙌 The school holidays are almost here! Looking for things to do after Christmas? Click here for a round-up of children’s activities.

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See you on January 19

💛 This is the last edition of Your Macedon Ranges for 2024. The newsletter will be back on January 19. Have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

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Here are the events and activities happening in the Macedon Ranges in the next five weeks:

Click the links for more info 👇

Wednesday, December 18

Fun Drag Bingo: A night of glitz and glamour with Gabriella Labucci, a finalist from RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 6.30pm-9.30pm. $25.

Singing Woodend Warblers: Community choir. Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend. 7pm. $12 (first session free).

Quiz Trivia Night: General knowledge quiz. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7pm. Free.

Quiz Pub Trivia: Put your knowledge to the test. The Lancefield Hotel, High St, Lancefield. 7pm-11pm.

Friday, December 20

Community Carols in the Garden: Bring a picnic blanket and your singing voice. St Mary’s Church, High St, Woodend. 6pm.

Community Social Foundry Community Carols: Gather outdoors to celebrate the season. Food and drink available or bring a picnic. Social Foundry, Mollison St, Kyneton. 6pm. Free.

Saturday, December 21

Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.

Market Riddells Creek Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets: Memorial Dr, Riddells Creek. 9am-1pm.

Market Lancefield Farmers’ Market: Central plantation, High St, Lancefield. 9am-1pm.

Market Little Treasures Market: Tasty treats, handmade goods, plants, jewellery, hats and scarves, and more. Mechanics Institute, Main St, Lancefield. 9am-1pm.

Market Trentham Farmers’ Market: Town Square, High St, Trentham. 9am-1pm.

Market Glenlyon Village Market: Shire Hall, Barkly St, Glenlyon. 9am-1pm.

Garden Bonsai Nursery Open Day: A wide range of bonsai grown by an accomplished and knowledgeable plantsman. Visitors welcome to look and ask questions. Mount Macedon Bonsai Nursery, 4 Cheniston Rd, Mount Macedon. 9am-5pm.

Community Gisborne Carols by Candlelight: Music will include a string quartet and Christmas carols. Treasure hunt and nativity play. John Aitken Reserve, Aitken St, Gisborne. 6pm-9pm.

Music Carols by Barrels: Guest hosts Helene Mangan and Adam Surace, plus a live band. Sing along to Christmas favourites. The Shamrock Hotel, Mollison St, Kyneton. 6pm-11.55pm.

Community Christmas Carols: Sing along with the Woodend Warblers. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 6.30pm. Free.

Community Riddells Creek Carols at the Lake: With Kyneton Brass Band. Coffee van. Bring a picnic. Walter J Smith Reserve, Main Rd, Riddells Creek. 7.30pm-9pm.

Sunday, December 22

Market Daylesford Sunday Market: Daylesford Railway Station, Raglan St. 8am-3pm.

Community Newham Community Christmas Party: Children’s entertainment. Santa visit at 5pm. Food and drink available. All welcome. Newham Mechanics Institute, Rochford Rd, Newham. 2.30pm. Free.

Community Malmsbury Christmas Carols: Children’s craft activities, prizes for best-dressed Christmas teddy/doll, Santa visit. Malmsbury Town Hall, Mollison St, Malmsbury. 4.30pm-5.30pm. Free.

Community Gisborne Carols by Candlelight: Music will include a string quartet and Christmas carols. Food trucks and petting zoo. John Aitken Reserve, Aitken St, Gisborne. 6pm-9pm.

Monday, December 23

Tuesday, December 24

Community Mount Macedon Uniting Church Christmas Eve Carols Service: Annual service of carols and lessons. The readings and songs will tell the story of the first Christmas and the birth of the Christ. Mount Macedon Uniting Church, Mount Macedon Rd, Mount Macedon. 7pm-8pm.

Friday, December 27

Ghost Hunt Romsey Mechanics Hall Paranormal Investigation and Psychic Reading: The hall has been many things: a ballroom, a boxing ring, a roller-skating rink and a venue for functions, meetings, and parties. Some spirits still see it as it was back in its glory days. Join Kyneton Paranormal to learn how to connect with them. Romsey Mechanics’ Institute, Main St, Romsey. 8pm-10pm. Paranormal investigation $35, Psychic reading $30.

Saturday, December 28

Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.

Music Idle Chords: Live music in the bar. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 6.30pm-9.30pm.

Sunday, December 29

Ghost Hunt Lancefield Mechanics Institute Paranormal Investigation: Who is the stage spirit who likes to hear singing? And what’s special about the number four? Lancefield Mechanics Institute, The Crescent, Lancefield. 8pm-10pm. $35.

Tuesday, December 31

Community New Year’s Eve Family Night: Children’s disco at 7.30pm, music by The Amazing Valentinos from 9pm. Lauriston Community Hall, Lauriston Rd, Lauriston. 7pm-1am. Adult $20, Child (15 and under) free.

😎 The school holidays are almost here. Click here for a guide to children’s activities that are taking place over the summer break.

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Wednesday, January 1

Community Glenlyon New Year’s Sports Day: Old-time competitions including woodchopping, horse racing, spinning wheel, bull-boar sausage eating, mineral-water drinking, nail drive, and gumboot throwing. Bar and food. Glenlyon Recreation Reserve, Dysart St. Gates open 10.30am. Woodchopping from 12pm, horse events from 3pm. Admission $15, Under-16 free.

Sport New Year’s Day Racing at Hanging Rock: Celebrate the start of 2024 with an afternoon of racing and family activities. Hanging Rock Racecourse, South Rock Rd, Woodend. Gates open 11am. General admission $25.

Friday, January 3

Wine Summertime Fling: Start of a month-long celebration of wine, food and music at wineries across the Macedon Ranges. Until January 27.

Games Barefoot Bowls: Play bowls in bare feet or flat-soled shoes. All welcome. Macedon Ranges Bowling Club, Tony Clarke Reserve, Waterfalls Rd, Macedon. From 5.30pm. Adult $20, Child $10.

Quiz Friday Night Pub Trivia: Topical and fun questions plus some games. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7pm. Free.

Saturday, January 4

Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.

Market Woodend Farmers’ Market: Cnr High St & Forest St. 9am-1pm.

Market Woodend Lions Sunday Market: Rear of Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St, Woodend. 9am-1pm.

Community Woodend Repair Cafe: Enjoy a cuppa while your broken household items are being mended. The Undercroft, Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St (enter via the community garden near the skate park). 9am-1pm. Free.

Sunday, January 5

Food & Music Big Tree Sunday Session: Live music, pizza, gin. Big Tree Distillery, 307 Hennerbergs Rd, Newham. 11am-5pm. $40.

Flowers Tour of Fleurs de Lyonville: Join Janae and Chris Paquin-Bowden for a tour of their flower farm. Make your own bouquet to take home. Fleurs de Lyonville, 35 Leishmans Ln, Lyonville. 1pm. $95.

Friday, January 10

Fun Kyneton Family Roller Disco: Games for the whole family, skating demonstrations and advice, prizes for best-dressed. Kyneton Showgrounds, Mollison St, Kyneton. 6pm-8pm. Adult $19.50, Child $29.50.

Saturday, January 11

Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.

Market Kyneton Farmers’ & Makers’ Market: St Paul’s Park, Piper St, Kyneton. 8.30am-1pm.

Market Kyneton Community Market: Bric-a-brac, art, clothes, plants, food and local produce. Ebden St & Yaldwyn St West, Kyneton. 8.30am-1pm.

Wednesday, January 15

Fun Drag Bingo: A night of glitz and glamour with Gabriella Labucci, a finalist from RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. Major Tom’s, 57 Piper St, Kyneton. 6.30pm-9.30pm $25.

Saturday, January 18

Exercise Parkruns: 5km fun runs/walks in Gisborne (Dixon Field), Lancefield (Lancefield Park) and Woodend (Campaspe Dr). All abilities welcome. 8am. Free.

Market Riddells Creek Farmers’ and Makers’ Markets: Memorial Dr, Riddells Creek. 9am-1pm.

Market Trentham Farmers’ Market: Town Square, High St, Trentham. 9am-1pm.

Market Glenlyon Village Market: Shire Hall, Barkly St, Glenlyon. 9am-1pm.

Music The Whiskey Rogues: Pop and rock band that specialises in music from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7.30pm-9pm.

Sunday, January 19

Market Malmsbury Farmers’ and Artists’ Market: Mollison St, Malmsbury. 9am-1pm.

Market Trentham Sunday Market: Trentham Railway Station, Victoria St. 9am-1pm.

Ghost Hunt Victoria Hotel Paranormal Investigation and Dinner: Meet spirits Gwendolyn, Isabella, the two-up players, and Wild George drinking at the bar. The Victoria Hotel, High St, Woodend. 7.30pm-9.30pm. $65.

Have a great few weeks!

Richard

P.S. I’ve tried my best to ensure accuracy, but please follow the links above to confirm details before attending events.

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🎅 Find out about CFA Santa Runs, Christmas lights, carols, and more. Click here for a round-up of Christmas events.

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