Highway 7 · KM 190 from Ottawa

Madoc

Name: Christmas at O'Hara
Start: 2026-12-06
Location: Madoc

Gold-rush history and a proper bakery-and-diner stop.

↳ Eldorado · 10 min north on Hwy 62

Why stop

Madoc is the west end’s honest lunch stop: a compact main street a minute off the highway with the kind of bakery-and-diner lineup that long drives are built around. It’s also where the corridor’s mining history gets interesting — Ontario’s first gold rush happened just north of here at Eldorado in 1866, and the back roads still carry the names to prove it.

For the powersports crowd, Madoc is a key access point to the Hastings Heritage Trail, the old rail line running north–south through the county — 150-plus kilometres from Glen Ross up to Lake St. Peter, and a major ATV and snowmobile artery. The scenic Centre Hastings loop runs alongside Madoc, Marmora and Stirling — a proper day ride with lunch stops built in.

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Coming up in Madoc

Sat, Sep 5 · Doors 7pm, show 8pm
24K Comedy at Gold Rush Brewing
Award-winning comedian Casey Corbin headlines a 24K Comedy night at the brewery on Russel Street, hosted by Dom Paré. Limited seating and tickets in advance.

Map + Calendar
Sat, Sep 5 · 11am–2pm
Demo Day at O'Hara Mill
Heritage demonstrations at the O'Hara Mill Homestead — pioneer skills and machinery in action at the restored 19th-century sawmill site.

Map + Calendar
Fri, Sep 11 · 4pm
Madoc Tractor Pull
A full evening of pulling at the Madoc fairgrounds on Cooper Road, a week ahead of the fair itself — classes from 5,500 up to 12,500 pounds, run by Tractor Pullers and Enthusiasts of Eastern Ontario.

Map + Calendar
Sat, Sep 12 · 7–9pm · weekly
Open Mic at Gold Rush Brewing
Saturday nights at the brewery on Russel Street, where Hwy 7 meets Hwy 62 — live local music hosted by Torbic Kagmire on accordion. Bring an instrument or just a chair.

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Fri, Sep 18 – Sun, Sep 20
Madoc Fair
The 121st fair at the Cooper Road fairgrounds, running Friday afternoon through Sunday — livestock shows, vendors, fair food and entertainment. The Madoc Agricultural Society has been at this since 1905.

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Sun, Sep 20 · 10am–3pm
Little Harvest Festival at O'Hara Mill
Fall harvest celebration at the pioneer homestead — seasonal demonstrations among the heritage buildings and trails.

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Sat, Oct 3 · 7–11pm
Country Music and Dance
The Masonic Group of Madoc puts on a country western dance at the Kiwanis Centre on Centre Road, with The Land O Lake Cruisers playing. Silent auction and food on the night.

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Sat, Oct 17 · 11am–2pm
Demo Day at O'Hara Mill
Heritage demonstrations at the O'Hara Mill Homestead — pioneer skills and machinery in action at the restored 19th-century sawmill site.

Map + Calendar
Sat, Nov 28 · 5–6pm
Madoc Santa Claus Parade
The parade moves to the last Saturday of November and stays there — the organizers have said so outright. Five o'clock, through the village, in the dark.

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Sun, Dec 6 · 10am–4pm
Christmas at O'Hara
The homestead opens for a day of winter wonders — and, the mill says, Santa might even say hello.

Map + Calendar

Things to do in Madoc

Hastings Heritage Trail

150-plus kilometres of old rail line from Glen Ross north to Lake St. Peter — the west end's ATV and snowmobile artery, with the Centre Hastings day loop (Madoc–Marmora–Stirling) starting from town.

Checked Jul 2026 · trail sources · Map

Moira Lake boat launch

Run by the Madoc Kiwanis club — ample parking, restrooms and shaded picnic spots, with a short educational boardwalk beside it that is good for birding. Moira holds muskie, pickerel, bass and walleye.

Boat Launch Rd, off Hwy 62 · Checked Aug 2026 · Municipality of Centre Hastings · Map

Moira Lake Park

The local swim, just south of town — with a water record so clean the health unit stopped routine testing. Best endorsement a lake can get.

Checked Jul 2026 · municipal sources · Map

O'Hara Mill Homestead & Conservation Area

A hand-built covered bridge and a cluster of real heritage buildings — schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, sugar shack — on 100 preserved acres. Buildings staffed 10–4 in summer; grounds open dawn to dusk year-round. Admission by donation.

638 Mill Road, Madoc · Checked Jul 2026 · O'Hara Mill's own site; Quinte Conservation · Map

Vanderwater Conservation Area

635 acres on the Moira River where the water cascades over limestone steps — 15 km of trails through cedar and hardwood forest, with picnic areas and generous parking. A short detour via Hwy 37, near Thomasburg.

512 Vanderwater Rd, Thomasburg · Checked Jul 2026 · conservation authority sources · Map

Halls and clubs in Madoc

Arts Centre Hastings

A small purpose-built arts building in Centre Hastings Park, eighteen hundred square feet with eighty seats. Performances, exhibitions and the occasional small reception.

24 Seymour St W, Madoc · Checked Sep 2026 · Municipality of Centre Hastings · Map