Greater Bendigo can look forward to an exciting line up of events in 2025 including Bendigo Art Gallery’s Frida Kahlo: In her own image exclusive blockbuster exhibition, shows, festivals, sporting competitions and major events to entertain and stimulate the local visitor economy.
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Director Strategy and Growth Anthony Petherbridge said the events calendar was shaping up well with fantastic events on offer.
“Bendigo Art Gallery will present the extraordinary Frida Kahlo: In her own image which has never been seen in Australia before and is an intimate portrayal of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century,” Mr Petherbridge said.
“This exclusive exhibition from March 15 to July 13 is coming direct from Mexico’s famous Museo Frida Kahlo and tickets are now available, so don’t miss out visiting this remarkable collection.
“The City’s Summer in the Parks program has a great range of free or low-cost events and activities until the end of February including outdoor cinema screenings, various Australia Day community events, free events in Hargreaves Mall, Music in the Park and much more.
“Other great events returning include the popular Lost Trades Fair, which attracts over 20,000 visitors, on the Labour Day long weekend (March 8-10) at Bendigo Racecourse showcasing amazing crafts and skills. Australia’s biggest barbeque festival Meatstock returns on March 14 and 15 at Bendigo Showgrounds.
“Favourite festivals also return, including the Bendigo Easter Festival, which remains one of the most popular homegrown events. A packed program of major cultural attractions, parades, carnival and entertainment will take place over three days from Good Friday to Easter Sunday (April 18-20). Smaller community events will take place on Easter Monday, April 21.
“Returning in 2025 as well are the Heathcote Harvest Festival (March 9) and the Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival (April 5). The Bendigo Writers Festival will have a feast of writing and storytelling from August 15-17 with an exciting program building on its standout success in 2024.
“The City’s magnificent theatres will present some of Australia’s best performers including The Hoodoo Gurus (January 22), Amy Shark (February 13), Sydney Dance Company (May 7), Dick & Angel’s Forever Home (July 18) and Bangarra Dance Theatre (October 3 and 4).
“With our impressive sporting facilities, we continue to secure major sporting competitions being held over several days and during weekends. These high-profile sporting events significantly boost our local economy with visitors booking accommodation, shopping and dining out in Greater Bendigo. Bendigo Spirit at Red Energy Arena will host several WNBL games and the Bendigo Junior Classic.
“Our region continues to win awards, including a silver in the national Top Tourism Awards last September in recognition of our strong commitment to deliver the very best experiences and events over the year. The great line up in 2025 will help stimulate our visitor economy and support local businesses. We want visitors to stay longer, shop and dine, and have a terrific time here in Greater Bendigo.”
Events
- Lunar New Year at The Great Stupa, January 29 to February 9
- Lunar New Year Festival at Dai Gum San on February 1
- Bendigo Chamber Music Festival, February 5-9
- Bendigo Equine Expo & Trade Fair at Lords Raceway on March 1
- Bendigo Ford Fun Run 2025 on March 2
- Heathcote Harvest Festival on March 9
- Lost Trades Fair, March 8-10
- Bendigo Collectables Fair at Bendigo Showgrounds on March 8
- Meatstock at Bendigo Showgrounds on March 14 and 15
- Bendigo Art Gallery’s Frida Kahlo: In her own image, March 15 to July 13
- Bendigo PRIDE Festival, March 27-30
- Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival on April 5
- Enlighten Easter at The Great Stupa, April 17
- Bendigo Easter Festival, April 18-21 (community events only on Easter Monday)
- Illumin8 Festival of Light and Peace at The Great Stupa on May 10
- Heathcote on Show, June 7-9
- Australian Sheep and Wool Show, July 18-20
- Bendigo Writers Festival August 15-17
- Heathcote Wine and Food Festival, October 4-5
- Operation Ouch Live – Jurassic Fart at Ulumbarra Theatre, January 11
- Hoodoo Gurus at Ulumbarra Theatre on January 22
- Prolific Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice at Ulumbarra Theatre on January 28
- Magician Consentino Decennium appears at Ulumbarra Theatre February 12
- Amy Shark – The Solo Acoustic Songs & Stories at Ulumbarra Theatre, February 13
- Kate Miller-Heidke at Ulumbarra Theatre on March 1
- Anthony Callea & Tim Campbell – The Songs of Elton and George at Ulumbarra Theatre, March 14
- Southern Sons: 35th Anniversary Tour at Ulumbarra Theatre, March 15
- Bendigo Symphony Orchestra at Ulumbarra Theatre on March 16 (also performing June 15, August 31 and November 16)
- 50s/60s electric party rock ‘n’ roll spectacular Shake Rattle ‘n’ Roll at Ulumbarra Theatre, March 28
- Josephine Wants to Dance, Ulumbarra Theatre, April 3
- Katie Noonan & Karin Schaupp at The Capital, April 5
- A blend of contemporary circus and musical comedy, The Black Blues Brothers are at Ulumbarra Theatre on April 12
- Songs From The Canyon, featuring songs from Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys, Carole King, The Doors and The Mamas and the Papas, at Ulumbarra Theatre, April 27
- Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out Live at Ulumbarra Theatre, April 30
For more theatre events, visit:
- Darts Victoria Open Team Championships, All Seasons International, January 17-19
- Victorian Country Track and Field Athletics Championships, Lar Birpa Athletics Track, January 24-25
- Little Athletics Victoria events, Lar Birpa Athletics Track, February 1-2
- Basketball Victoria Country Under 16 & Under 18 Division 1 & 2 Championships, Red Energy Arena, February 15-16
- 2025 Victorian Ultimate Championship at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, February 22-23
- Football Victoria Boys & Girls FC, Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, March 22-23
- Bowls Victoria City V Country Championships, East Bendigo Bowls Club, April 5-6
- Bowls Victoria State Disabilities Championships, Golden Square Bowls Club, April 21-24
- Bowls Victoria State Champions Week, East Bendigo Bowls Club, April 3-11
- Victorian Rifle Association Symes and Kings Prize, Wellsford Rifle Range, April 9-13
- Basketball Victoria Championships U12, Red Energy Arena, April 11-13
- Victorian Masters Open Squash Tournament, Bendigo Squash Centre, April 11-13
- Wild Kids Summer Splendour at No.7 Park, Granter Street, Big Hill, January 18
- Outdoor cinema screenings:
Kung Fu Panda, 6pm to 8pm at Goornong Recreation Reserve, January 10
Wonka, 6pm to 8pm at Cooinda Park, Golden Square, January 17
Migration, 6pm to 8pm at Barrack Reserve, Heathcote, January 31 - Music in the Park:
Chris DeAraugo and Sally Miller Duo, Axedale Park, Axedale, February 7
Funkle Band and Funk Junkies Band, Malone Park, Marong, February 14
The Asian Women’s Collective and The Latin Hour, Crook Street Park, Strathdale, February 21
African dancing, Garden for the Future, Hamelin Street, White Hills, February 28 - Come and try Lawn Bowls on January 22, January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19 and February 26
- Come and try baseball clinic on February 12
For more details, visit:
- Kelly Sports fun and games for kids, January 7
- Music in the Mall, January 8, 9 and 31
- Connected Circus face painting and kids’ activities, January 10
- The Zone kids jumping castle and slot car races, January 11
- Bendigo Pickleball Club demonstration, January 14
- Tai Chi with Welby Holistic Healing, January 8, 15 and 22
- Line Dancing with Let’s Dance Bendigo, January 15 and January 22
- Sarah The Painter kids craft and painting, January 16 and 17
- Roller Disco with Dragon City Roller Derby, January 17
- The Zone Zorb Balls, January 18
- Wizard of Oz – A Twisted Tale with Scott’s Mascots, January 23
- Juggling acrobatics and music with Ginger B, January 24
- Moonlight Market, January 25 and February 15
- Bendigo LEGO User Group LEGO play wall, February 1
- Love Bendigo Valentine’s Day photo booth, February 14
For more outdoor events, visit: