Art and Culture in Bendigo: The Art Gallery, Easter Festival and the Goldfields Scene

Bendigo has cultural infrastructure that rivals cities several times its size, anchored by the Bendigo Art Gallery's nationally significant collection and an Easter Festival tradition that draws 100,000 visitors to the city annually. The Bendigo Art Gallery on View Street is the flagship, with a permanent collection spanning colonial through to contemporary Australian art and a touring exhibitions program that has brought blockbuster shows including Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibition to the city. The Capital Venue and Events Centre on View Street is the main performing arts venue for touring shows, comedy and music. The Ulumbarra Theatre, built in 1864 as Sandhurst Gaol, is one of Australia's most distinctive performing arts venues and hosts theatre, music and events. The Bendigo Easter Festival is the city's largest annual event and includes the famous Chinese Dragon procession, market events and street performances. The Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival in May is a significant live music event. The Golden Dragon Museum on Bridge Street has First Nations and Chinese community cultural collections.