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Bendigo's Thriving Arts Scene Draws Visitors to Galleries and Festivals
Regional Victoria's cultural hub features established galleries, theatres and festivals that continue to draw visitors.
How we reported this
Bendigo Art Gallery on View Street, established in 1887, ranks among Australia's oldest and largest regional galleries and recently concluded its Marimekko exhibition on June 11, 2026.
The designation as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, awarded in November 2019, underscores the city's commitment to arts alongside its culinary scene. This recognition aligns with year-round programming at multiple venues and public installations that attract both locals and tourists to the area.
Venues Anchor the Local Scene
Ulumbarra Theatre, which opened in April 2015 inside the former Sandhurst Old Bendigo Gaol, seats nearly 1,000 and hosts performances throughout the year. The Capital Theatre, a National Trust-listed building that once served as a Masonic temple, provides another central performance space. Street art and installations cluster in the View Street Arts Precinct, complementing the heritage focus of the Golden Dragon Museum.
Major annual events include the Bendigo Easter Festival, the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival held every November since 2011, and the Bendigo Writers Festival founded in 2012. These gatherings have drawn tens of thousands of attendees in past years and remain fixtures on the calendar.
Renovation Timeline Shapes Future Programming
The Bendigo Art Gallery will close from November 2025 until 2028 for a $45 million renovation. During the closure the gallery will partner with the Discovery Science and Technology Centre to present an exhibition running from March 29 to November 29, 2026. Visitors can still access current street art, theatre schedules and festival lineups while the main gallery undergoes work.
Residents and travellers can check listings at bendigoregion.com.au for performance dates at Ulumbarra Theatre and The Capital Theatre or visit the View Street precinct for public installations. The city's UNESCO status provides a stable framework for ongoing arts activity even as the gallery project advances.