Your guide to Bendigo’s jam-packed community events calendar: July to September 2026

Bendigo’s community events calendar for the July-September 2026 quarter is officially live, with more than 40 free or low-cost activities spread across the city’s parks, galleries and neighbourhood centres. The calendar, coordinated by the City of Greater Bendigo and published this Monday, July 13, includes everything from lantern-making workshops in Eaglehawk to Sunday morning farmers markets in Long Gully.

The release comes as local organisers report a surge in volunteer sign-ups-up 22 percent since January, according to council data-and growing demand for affordable, family-friendly outings. With school holidays starting July 4 and the weather turning crisp, the calendar aims to fill a gap left by the cancellation of three major commercial festivals this year, including the Bendigo Fringe Festival’s spring program.

What’s on and where to go

This season’s standout is the All Seasons Harvest Festival, running Saturday August 8 from 10am to 4pm at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens in White Hills. The event features cooking demonstrations by local chefs, seed-swap stalls, and guided walks through the heritage-listed conservatory. Admission is free, but parking at the gardens’ Curnow Street entrance costs $5 cash. Last year’s festival drew 3,200 people, and organisers expect up to 4,000 this time.

At the Bendigo Art Gallery in View Street, the ‘Making Space’ community art project continues every Thursday through August and September. Participants can create ceramic tiles for a permanent mural to be installed at the new Long Gully Community Hub, slated for completion in October. Materials are supplied, but bookings are essential via the gallery’s website; slots filled within 48 hours last month.

For music lovers, the Rosalind Park Summer Series-though technically winter-kicks off on Saturday July 25 at 2pm with a brass band concert near the Queen Victoria Fountain. Blankets and picnic chairs encouraged. The series runs every second Saturday until September 12, with local acts including the Bendigo Pioneers Youth Orchestra and folk singer Aisha Patel.

Practical tips and what happens next

The full calendar is posted on the City of Greater Bendigo’s website and printed copies are available at the Bendigo Library in Hargreaves Street, the Ulumbarra Theatre box office, and the Kangaroo Flat Leisure Centre. Key dates to diarise: the Eaglehawk Lantern Parade on August 15 (starting at 5:30pm along Sailors Gully Road), the Long Gully Community Garden’s Seedling Giveaway on September 5 (10am-noon), and the Bendigo Farmers Market at the Market Reserve on Mollison Street every Saturday from 8am.

Council officials say they will release a mid-season update by August 1, adding any last-minute events or cancellations. For those who miss the printed guide, a PDF is also available for download. With winter settling in, Bendigo’s community calendar offers a low-cost way to stay connected-just bring a coat and an open mind.