18th Biennial Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens


The 18th Biennial Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens is proudly sponsored by ASQ Garden & Landscape.

Since its beginnings in 1991, the festival has grown into a must attend event on the calendar, bringing together gardeners and showcasing many new and older gardens in the shire.

The theme for 2026, The Solace of Gardening, recognises how the garden, and indeed the act of gardening, holds such a special place for so many of us. There are health benefits, it can be a chance to connect with nature and an opportunity to create and be surrounded by beauty.

This is the heart of ASQ Garden & Landscape Castlemaine. We’re here for everyone who loves to grow, from the youngest gardeners planting their first sweet peas beside a cubby house to those whose hands carry decades of experience.

For over 34 years, the gardeners of Mount Alexander Shire have opened their gates and welcomed visitors to enjoy the fruits of their labour. The festival showcases grand country gardens, historic spaces, vibrant verge gardens, sculpture gardens, and town gardens of every kind.

The 18th Biennial Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens will be held in 2026, opening Saturday 24 October and running through to Tuesday 3 November (Melbourne Cup Day), with all gardens closed on Wednesday 28 October. Ten fabulous days to wander, discover, and be inspired.

 

For the gardeners:

To our Open Garden owners (or those considering it) we want to say a big thank you. The Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens simply wouldn’t exist without your generosity and passion. Each festival features around 20 beautiful gardens and welcomes more than 15,000 visits from garden lovers near and far.

Our gardeners find the experience of opening their gardens to be rewarding and it creates a strong community of kindred spirits. Our garden visitors love it and many return every festival to rediscover familiar favourites and experience new gardens across the Shire.

October 2026 may seem like a long way off, but planting, mulching and feeding starts now. The process of garden assessment and selection, as well as putting together the souvenir program and a comprehensive promotional campaign, requires twelve months for the volunteer committee. This timeline also gives gardeners plenty of space to plan and prepare for their special showcase.

To register your interest and request an application form, please email [email protected]