Bendigo's 2026 Festival Calendar: 20+ Events

Bendigo's Major Annual Events and Festivals

Bendigo has developed one of regional Victoria's richest cultural calendars, built on its gold rush heritage, the world-class Bendigo Art Gallery, a vibrant local music and arts scene and community events of genuine national significance. The Easter Festival alone draws 80,000 visitors to the city and the Art Gallery attracts blockbuster international exhibitions that rival Melbourne's major institutions.

Easter — Bendigo Easter Festival

The Bendigo Easter Festival is one of Australia's oldest and largest community festivals, celebrating the Easter long weekend with the famous Chinese Dragon procession led by the world's longest imperial dragon, Sun Loong. The Bendigo Chinese community's extraordinary heritage, dating to the goldrush era of the 1850s, is celebrated in a free procession that draws 80,000 spectators to the city's streets each Easter. The festival also includes a carnival at the showgrounds, live music and heritage events.

April to May — Bendigo Art Gallery International Exhibitions

The Bendigo Art Gallery is one of regional Australia's finest art institutions and attracts blockbuster touring exhibitions from international collections that draw visitors from Melbourne and beyond. Past exhibitions have included collections from major European and American institutions. The gallery's permanent collection of Australian art is outstanding.

July — Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival

The Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival in July brings blues, roots, soul and folk artists from Australia and internationally to venues across Bendigo's historic CBD. The festival's use of Bendigo's heritage theatres, pubs and outdoor spaces creates an intimate and atmospheric music experience.

September — Bendigo Show

The Bendigo Agricultural Show is one of the major annual community events of the Loddon Mallee region, celebrating the district's farming heritage with agricultural competitions, cattle and sheep judging, carnival events and pavilion displays.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.