World-class performance and fun new events at Woodend Winter Arts Festival 2023

Friday 9 June - Monday 12 June

The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is excited to share its 2023 program. Over four days the charming village of Woodend will come alive with world-class performances, thought-provoking discussions and exciting new events.

Taking place over the King’s Birthday long weekend (9-12 June 2023), the program will feature some of Australia’s leading classical musicians, alongside some of the country’s greatest literary minds.

HIGH STREET FESTA

An exciting new addition to the program is the High Street Festa. Over one evening, Woodend’s charming main street will come to life as historic buildings are illuminated with colourful projected artworks by local artist Mary Larnach-Jones. There will also be late night shopping and plenty of food trucks. The evening will culminate with a flash mob Big Sing, as hundreds of singers join forces to perform.

MUSIC

Musical highlights include a performance by acclaimed jazz musicians Simon Tedeschi and George Washingmachine, along with concerts from Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Wind Octet, Ensemble Gombert & Accademia Arcadia, Ensemble Liaison and The Alma Zygier Trio. There will also be a performance of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, narrated by Max Gillies with the Scotch College Orchestra.

WORDS & IDEAS

Curated by Don Watson, the Words & Ideas Program features discussions of challenging contemporary issues such as the clean energy crisis, climate catastrophe, pandemics, peace and war and more, with luminaries such as Alan Finkel, Peter Doherty, Jock Serong, Tom Griffiths, Christine Keneally, Alan Gyngell, Jim Middleton, Lauren Rickards and Jamie Button.

FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS

In addition to the High Street Festa, other free events include the annual fireworks display at Woodend’s Buffalo Stadium, which will this year be synchronised to popular classical music. The fireworks event will also feature free performances from Japanese drummers Taikokoro Inc., and the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir.

Follow WWAF on Facebook @WoodendWinterArtsFestival 

or on Instagram @woodendwinterarts