WHAT’S ON
SWISS ITALIAN FESTA 2026
Join us for events, food, culture and celebrations in the lead-up to the main Swiss Italian Festa weekend in Hepburn Springs.
THE CELEBRATION STARTS HERE
Swiss Italian Festa Organised Events 2026
The Swiss Italian Festa is more than one weekend. In the lead-up to October, we're bringing the community together through a series of local events celebrating our food, traditions and Swiss Italian heritage — while raising funds to support the 2026 Festa.
Complete 2026 Swiss Italian Festa - PROGRAM
16th October 2026 (Friday)
Swiss Italian Festa Landscape Art Prize 2026
Celebrating the beauty of the Central Highlands through the eyes of our local artists, the Swiss Italian Festa Landscape Art Prize returns to Hepburn Springs this October.
The exhibition brings together works from artists across the Central Highlands, with painting, drawing, etching, sculpture, photography and digital art all represented.
With $1,500 in prizes, including the $1,000 Petrus Spronk Prize and $500 People’s Choice Award, visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibition and vote for their favourite work.
For further information, refer to the event listed above.
20th October 2026 (Tuesday)
A Celebration of Love, Family & Italian Heritage
Join us for a special screening of Love’s Brother at Daylesford Cinema, presented as part of the 2026 Swiss Italian Festa celebrations.
Set in the 1950s, Love’s Brother is a heartwarming Australian-Italian romantic drama that follows the story of two Italian brothers whose lives take an unexpected turn when a young woman arrives from Italy.
Starring Giovanni Ribisi, Adam Garcia and Amelia Warner, this beautifully told story explores love, family, tradition and the migrant experience, capturing the hopes, dreams and challenges of those who left their homeland to build a new life in Australia.
With its strong connection to Italian migration and cultural heritage, Love’s Brother is a fitting addition to this year's Swiss Italian Festa, celebrating the stories, traditions and family connections that have helped shape our local community.
To book tickets, refer to the event listed above.
22th October 2026 (Thursday)
Heritage Dinner - Swiss Mountain Hotel
Begin the 2026 Swiss Italian Festa with a special evening celebrating the people, stories, food and traditions that shaped Hepburn Springs.
Held at the historic Swiss Mountain Hotel, the Heritage Dinner brings our community together to honour the Italian-speaking Swiss settlers whose journey to the region began more than 170 years ago — and whose influence remains part of Hepburn’s identity today.
Enjoy an evening of good food, conversation and shared history as we celebrate the generations who came before us and the remarkable Swiss Italian heritage that continues to live on.
To book reservations, please refer to the event listed above.
23th October 2026 (Friday)
Walking Tour : Cammino di Hepburn & The Old Macaroni Factory
A very special and exclusive FESTA guided walking tour, Cammino di Hepburn, finishing with a private tour of The Old Macaroni Factory, where you will be nourished in the centuries old Italian style Aperitivo.
Your exclusive walking tour will showcase the architecturally significant sites in Hepburn Springs village, fused with untold stories that bring to life the Swiss and Italian culture and history, past and present. See and hear the stories of the oldest Italian buildings remaining in Australia. This includes northern Italian architecture dating to the 1850s and inspired by the palazzi of the Italian Renaissance.
Start from Villa Parma, within the grounds of the stunning Mineral Springs Hotel at 124 Main Road, Hepburn Springs. We will take a leisurely 1-hour small group guided walking tour of the stunning Hepburn village. Our village tour will culminate at The Old Macaroni Factory with a private guided tour by owner Jennie Wilmoth and Aperitivo will be served in Lucini’s Lounge.
Aperitivo will include an Italian style beverage and snack. Ticket price includes a $5 donation to the Swiss Italian Festa.
Once this event is booked out a second event will be scheduled for Saturday 24 October 2026, also at 3.30pm. Please contact us for details or to go on the wait list info@alicesjourneys.com
Click here to book your tickets (Ticket fees are donated to local charities)
Mineral Springs Hotel, Hepburn Springs
The weekend begins here.
Mineral Springs Hotel is hosting the officially launch the 2026 Swiss Italian Festa to raise a glass to a weekend celebrating the heritage, culture and community that helped shape Hepburn Springs.
The Official Festa Launch brings our sponsors and supporting Amici’s together to mark the beginning of three days of Swiss Italian food, wine, music, history and celebration throughout Hepburn Springs.
Invitation to Swiss Italian Sponsors and Amici supporters only.
Bella Ciao Band at the Hepburn Palais
Let the Festa Celebrations Begin!
Following the official Swiss Italian Festa Launch at the Mineral Springs Hotel, the celebrations continue just down the road at the Hepburn Palais with the Bella Ciao Band.
Get ready for a lively night of Italian-inspired music, energy and entertainment as Bella Ciao brings the sounds and spirit of Italy to Hepburn Springs.
It’s the perfect way to kick off the Festa weekend — gather your friends, enjoy the music and soak up the atmosphere as Hepburn Springs comes alive for three days of food, wine, heritage, culture and celebration.
Whether you have Swiss Italian heritage of your own or simply love great live music and a good night out, everyone is welcome to join the celebration.
Friday 23 October 2026
Hepburn Palais, Hepburn Springs
24th October 2026 (Saturday)
Swiss Italian Festa – Main Festa Day
This Is the Festa!
Hepburn Springs comes alive on Saturday 24 October for the main event of the 2026 Swiss Italian Festa — a full day of food, music, culture, family and celebration at the beautiful Mineral Springs Reserve.
Celebrate the remarkable Swiss Italian heritage that helped shape our region while enjoying a packed program of live bands, music and entertainment, performances from our local schools, cultural activities and plenty for the whole family.
And come hungry.
The Reserve will be filled with food and drink from local businesses, community groups and visiting vendors, with pizza, gelato, coffee, Swiss Italian favorites and plenty more to enjoy throughout the day.
Help Us Make History
One of the highlights of the 2026 Festa will be an attempt to create a Tarantella world record, bringing the crowd together for one enormous celebration of traditional Italian dance.
Whether you know the steps or have never danced the Tarantella in your life, we want you involved. More details about how to participate will be released on the day.
FESTA TIMELINE:
12pm: Street Parade (meet at main road Hepburn at Sixth Street)
Parade led by Daylesford Brass Band, Daylesford Pipe Band and Kavisha Mazzella.
Parade to proceed from Sixth Street to Tenth Street)
12:15pm: Parade to turn down tenth street and down to the Mineral Springs Reserve Gardens and Sound Shell
12:30pm:
President Welcome Speech
Acknowledgement of Country: Daylesford Primary School
Gruppo Italian Choir (National Anthems: Australia, Italy & Switzerland).
12:45pm
Daylesford & Hepburn Primary Schools
Tarantella
Choirs
Dharma School
St Michaels Primary School
1:30pm
Tom & Freyer Singing Duo
2:00pm
Kavisha Mazzella & Violin
2:30pm
Gruppo Choir
3:00pm
Tom & Freyer
4:00pm
Kavisha Mazzella & Violin
4:30pm
Brett Doig / Miscellaneous Music
6:00pm
Little Tree Local Fold Band
7:00pm
Brett Doig / Miscellaneous Music
8:00pm
LANTERN PARADE Meeting Point (Start parade at corner of tenth street and main Road Hepburn Springs and proceed to the Hepburn Springs Reserve). BYO Lanterns plus Lanterns will be provided on the night)
8:15pm
Start parade to Fire Works Site
8:30pm
Fireworks / Festa Saturday Finale.
FOOD & BEVERAGE VENDORS (Situated at the Mineral Springs Reserve)
Cooked Caravan: Borach / Bullboars / Coffee / Beverages
Dolci Momenti: Traditional Italian Recipes
Hepburn Pizza
Hepburn Springs Brewing Co.
Coffee Van
Pavilion Cafe: Landscape Artwork will be on display in the Pavilion Cafe
NOTE: Amenities available at the Hepburn Springs Reserve.
Pasta Sauce Competition – Swiss Italian Festa 2026
Think your homemade pasta sauce is the best? Here's your chance to prove it!
Get ready to bring your family recipes, secret ingredients and Italian cooking traditions to the Swiss Italian Festa on Sunday 25th October! Whether your specialty is a rich tomato sauce, traditional pesto, hearty Bolognese or your very own creation, we invite you to enter our Pasta Sauce Competition and show off your culinary skills. Each competitor can enter up to two different sauces, so don't be shy about sharing those treasured family recipes!
Want to enter? Simply collect your entry form from Tonna's Fruit & Vegetable, where the team will be happy to answer any questions about the competition. Completed entry forms must be submitted at least 48 hours before the event.
Come along, celebrate our Swiss Italian heritage and let the best sauce win!
Palais Hepburn - Party with Italian DJ Pauly J
Get ready for an unforgettable night as Australia's #1 Italian DJ & entertainer Pauly J takes you on a powerful journey through the greatest Italian hits of all time in a spectacular DJ party experience in the Hepburn Palais bandroom, with a full dance floor experience that will stir your heart and bring back memories you thought you had forgotten.
Pauly J's show is a celebration of the timeless songs that defines the Italian heritage — the music that filled family homes, weddings, festivals and dance floors across Italy and around the world. From passionate love songs to uplifting classics that make you want to sing along & dance along, Pauly J's Italian party brings these iconic hits to Hepburn Palais for the 2026 Hepburn Swiss Italian Festival for a Saturday night of Italian energy and authentic Italian soul.
More than just a DJ, Pauly J has been performing this Italian Party Anthem show all around Australia at festivals & Italian events for many years, providing a nostalgic trip down memory lane, where every song reconnects the Italian party vibe with the moments, people and emotions that never fade. With a vibrant Italiano presence and an atmosphere full of joy and celebration, audiences don’t just watch the show — they become part of it!
Whether you grew up with these beautiful melodies or simply love the magic of Italian music, this is a night that will make you laugh, sing and dance.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the party here at Hepburn Palais, and experience the music, the passion and the amore of the historic Swiss Italian Festival! Secure your tickets now and be part of the Saturday party night 2026. Ticket are priced at JUST $25(+bf) for a night of dance floor fun!!!!
WHEN: Saturday 24th October, 2026
WHERE: Hepburn Palais, 111 Main Road Hepburn Springs, 3461
TIME: Doors & Bar Open at 6:30pm. Bandroom Open at 8:00pm. Show Starts at 8.30pm
QUESTIONS: 1300 881 827
25th October 2026 (Sunday)
Festa Around Hepburn
Eat. Drink. Explore. Celebrate.
The Swiss Italian Festa continues on Sunday as the celebration spreads throughout Hepburn Springs for Festa Around Hepburn.
Spend the day exploring the village as our local cafés, restaurants, pubs, shops, producers and businesses join the Festa, each offering their own special events, experiences, food, entertainment and Swiss Italian-inspired offerings.
It’s a chance to slow down, wander through Hepburn Springs, discover somewhere new and support the local businesses that help make our community so special.
Refer to local businesses promoting the Swiss Italian Festa:
Lotte Cafe:
A long lunch for 24 guests, with everyone seated together around one long, family-style table.
A three-course Swiss Italian-inspired menu celebrating the food traditions of the Swiss Italian immigrants and the dishes they would have been cooking and sharing here in the region. The menu will feature things like bull boar sausage, macaroni and rabbit, alongside other foods and flavours closely connected to the Swiss Italian community. We’ll also be showcasing wines from the regions they came from.
Generous, relaxed and all about bringing people together around a shared table, with an arrival spritz to kick things off.
· Three-course Swiss Italian-inspired set menu
· Arrival spritz included
· $110 per person
· 24 seats available
· Long, family-style communal table
For reservations, call 0457 670 908
Hepburn Palais
2.00pm Special Event – Free concert with Joe Ruberto and Rick Correnza
Joe Ruberto & Rick Correnza — celebrating the timeless songs, passion and romance of Italy for a very special free Sunday afternoon event at Hepburn Palais.
Featuring the smooth vocals of Rick Correnza alongside the exceptional piano playing of Joe Ruberto, this duo brings a Italian passion and elegance to the stage with a collection of much-loved Italian classics.
From romantic ballads to lively favorites, Joe and Rick take audiences on a nostalgic musical journey through Italy — celebrating the songs made famous by some of Italy’s greatest artists.
Beautiful songs. Italian passion. Timeless memories.
Hepburn Palais will be open from 10am with Italian coffee, assorted cakes & Italian themed cocktails from 11am! Celebrating Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa Weekend!
Entry for General Admittance (standing room) is FREE, however a ticket will still be required to gain entry.
WHEN: Sunday 25th October, 2026
WHERE: Hepburn Palais, 111 Main Road Hepburn Springs, 3461
INFO: https://hepburnpalais.com.au/shows-and-tickets
TIME: Doors Open 10am. Free Live Music from 2pm to 4pm
Hepburn Springs Motor Inn
Where: 105 Main Road, Hepburn Springs.
Mercato (Marketplace)
In Italy a mercato is a traditional open-air or neighborhood street market where locals buy fresh produce, meat, cheese, and household items. But better still this is a large room at the Motor Inn – hosting Balkan Cevapi Rolls, Istra small goods for sale, Hepburn Springs Brewing Co selling Limoncello and featuring a limited release Toblerone-inspired Honey Choc Nougat Doppelbock, live music, and kids can join in with chalk art, plus more.
Judging of Tonna’s Pasta Sauce Competition with $200 in prizes to be won. Entry Form from Tonna’s 141 Vincent Street, Daylesford,
Rubens
Where: 70 Main Road Hepburn Springs
dine@rubensrestaurant.com 03 5348 2843.
Lunch and Dinner
The Swiss Italian families who arrived for the gold rush in the 1850s never really left, and their orchards, terraced gardens and stone walls are still scattered through the hills around Hepburn. Rubens carries on in that tradition quietly. Gnocchi rolled by hand, pizza dough thrown the way it has always been thrown, sauces built from scratch in the kitchen each day.
Hepburn Springs General Store
Where: 102 Main Road Hepburn Springs
This iconic General Store is located in the main street of Hepburn Springs offers a wide variety of grocery items, hot and cold take-away foods and drinks.
Old Macaroni Factory
Where: 64 Main Road Hepburn Springs
One of the region's most distinctive heritage buildings. It was built in 1859 by Italian brothers Pietro and Giacomo Lucini, who had migrated to Australia during the gold rush era.
Stone house Tour (Yandoit Cultural and Swiss Italian Festa)
Saturday 24 October 2.30 pm-5.00 pm
Meet at Yandoit Cultural- Centre Uniting Church Rd (off High St), Yandoit,. This old church in the bush Gather at Yandoit Cultural- the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit
Yandoit is renowned for its stone houses, built by the Swiss-Italians who settled in the region from the 1850’s onwards. Visit two of these iconic buildings not usually seen. A local historian will share some of the stories associated with these buildings, the families who gathered local stone to construct and live in them, and give insights into the livelihoods of those new settlers.
Transport to the stone houses will be via mini buses (and car pooling if necessary) At the end, we will re-gather at Yandoit Cultural
Bookings Essential - Click here to purchase tickets
Cost: Adult$30; Concession $15; Family Ticket $50
Book on Humanitix
Daylesford Museum
Daylesford Museum and the Swiss Italian Festa 2026. Come and share your family history, learn about the legacy of the Italian Speakers in the district. Open Sat Oct 17 & 24, 11am - 3pm
Click here to purchase your tickets
