Discover the charm of the season in Bendigo with our comprehensive guide. There's no shortage of festive cheer in this vibrant city.
The Bendigo Christmas Lights Tour is a must-see, illuminating the streets with dazzling displays that captivate visitors of all ages. Embrace the holiday spirit with the heartwarming melodies at Bendigo Carols by Candlelight, where families gather to sing and celebrate under the stars. And the Bendigo Easter Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss—it's filled with exciting activities that truly embody the community spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Bendigo
- Bendigo Easter Festival
- Bendigo Christmas Lights Tour
- Bendigo Carols by Candlelight
- Bendigo RSL Christmas Lunch
- Bendigo Pottery Christmas Fair
- Bendigo Christmas Concert
- Bendigo New Year’s Eve Family Festival
- Bendigo Festival of Lights
Bendigo Holiday Light Displays
Bendigo Christmas Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of elaborate residential light displays
Description:
Bendigo's neighborhoods sparkle with creativity during the Christmas Lights Tour. Residents outdo themselves with elaborate displays, transforming ordinary homes into dazzling spectacles. Navigate through twinkling streets using a specially curated map, discovering hidden gems and local favorites. This grassroots event showcases the community spirit of Bendigo, with many displays raising funds for local charities. Witness how everyday citizens become light artists, crafting intricate designs that reflect their personal holiday stories.
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Bendigo Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Multicultural light festival celebrating diverse traditions
Description:
The Bendigo Festival of Lights illuminates the city with a kaleidoscope of cultural celebrations. This event embraces the diverse holiday traditions of Bendigo's multicultural community, featuring light displays inspired by Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. Rosalind Park becomes a canvas for intricate light installations, each telling a story of heritage and hope. Visitors can sample international cuisines and watch performances that showcase the city's global connections. This festival exemplifies Bendigo's evolution from a gold rush boomtown to a modern, inclusive city.
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Bendigo Holiday Markets and Shopping
Bendigo Pottery Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Christmas market at historic pottery works
Description:
The Bendigo Pottery Christmas Fair combines artisanal crafts with holiday cheer at Australia's oldest working pottery. Artisans display their wares in the atmospheric 1858 kilns, offering unique gifts with a local touch. Visitors can watch potters demonstrate their craft, shaping clay into festive ornaments and tableware. This event celebrates Bendigo's industrial heritage, showcasing how traditional skills continue to thrive in the modern era. The fair's setting provides a glimpse into the city's 19th-century pottery industry, once vital to the region's economy.
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Bendigo Pottery Christmas Fair
Bendigo Holiday Giving Opportunities
Bendigo RSL Christmas Lunch
What to Expect:
Community lunch for veterans and those alone on Christmas
Description:
The Bendigo RSL opens its doors for a heartwarming Christmas lunch, ensuring no one spends the holiday alone. Veterans, their families, and community members gather to share a meal and camaraderie. Volunteers serve traditional holiday fare, filling the hall with the aroma of roast turkey and pudding. This event embodies the ANZAC spirit of mateship, continuing a tradition of support that extends beyond the battlefield to everyday life in Bendigo.
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Bendigo Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Bendigo Carols by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Outdoor caroling event in Rosalind Park
Description:
Rosalind Park echoes with harmonious melodies during Bendigo's Carols by Candlelight. Thousands gather under the stars, their faces aglow with candlelight, to join in a chorus of beloved holiday songs. Local choirs and musicians lead the performances, their voices carrying through the crisp evening air. This event harks back to the 19th-century tradition of caroling in the goldfields, uniting the community in a shared celebration of music and togetherness.
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Bendigo Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Professional orchestra performance of holiday classics
Description:
Bendigo's Christmas Concert elevates the holiday season with a professional orchestra performance. The Ulumbarra Theatre resonates with the rich tones of classical instruments as they bring beloved holiday compositions to life. World-class musicians interpret traditional carols and orchestral pieces, creating a sophisticated auditory experience. This event showcases Bendigo's commitment to high-caliber cultural offerings, building on the city's long history of supporting the arts since its gold rush heyday.
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Bendigo Other Holiday Activities
Bendigo Easter Festival
What to Expect:
Australia's oldest continuous Easter festival
Description:
Bendigo transforms during its historic Easter Festival, a tradition dating back to 1871. The city buzzes with energy as the iconic Chinese dragon Dai Gum Loong, the world's longest imperial dragon, weaves through the streets. You can participate in the torchlight procession, illuminating the night sky with a sea of flickering flames. This event celebrates Bendigo's rich gold rush heritage and multicultural roots, blending Chinese and Australian traditions in a vibrant tapestry of culture and community.
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Bendigo New Year’s Eve Family Festival
What to Expect:
Family-oriented New Year's celebration with early fireworks
Description:
Bendigo's New Year's Eve Family Festival reimagines the traditional midnight celebration for all ages. The event features an early fireworks display, allowing families to enjoy the spectacle without staying up late. Lake Weeroona becomes a hub of activity with food stalls, live music, and children's entertainment. This festival reflects Bendigo's family-friendly ethos, providing a safe and inclusive environment to welcome the new year. Participate in the lantern parade, a nod to the city's Chinese heritage and a symbol of hope for the coming year.
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Bendigo New Year’s Eve Family Festival
Nearby Events
Eaglehawk Community Christmas Lunch (Eaglehawk)
What to Expect:
Free community lunch in historic gold rush town
Description:
Eaglehawk's Community Christmas Lunch brings warmth to the holiday season in this historic gold rush town. Volunteers transform the local hall into a welcoming space, serving a free meal to anyone seeking company or a hot plate. The event reflects Eaglehawk's strong community bonds, forged in the days of the gold rush and maintained through generations. Guests can explore the town's Victorian-era architecture before joining in the festive meal, connecting with neighbors and making new friends.
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Eaglehawk Community Christmas Lunch
Heathcote Community Carols (Heathcote)
What to Expect:
Small-town carol event with a focus on local talent
Description:
Heathcote's Community Carols showcase the town's musical talent in an intimate setting. Local choirs, school groups, and individual performers take center stage, filling the air with joyous melodies. The event highlights Heathcote's close-knit community spirit, with residents of all ages participating. You can join in singing traditional carols or discover new holiday tunes with a distinctly Australian flavor. This gathering celebrates the town's rural heritage, bringing together farmers, winemakers, and townsfolk in a harmonious celebration.
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Castlemaine Christmas Market (Castlemaine)
What to Expect:
Artisanal market in a historic gold rush town
Description:
Castlemaine's Christmas Market transforms the town's historic streets into a bustling bazaar of local crafts and produce. Artisans and farmers from the surrounding goldfields region display their wares, offering everything from handcrafted jewelry to organic preserves. The market captures the essence of Castlemaine's artistic community, which has flourished since the town's founding in 1851. Visitors can explore the Victorian-era shopfronts while discovering unique gifts that reflect the region's creative spirit and agricultural bounty.
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Maryborough Christmas in the Park (Maryborough)
What to Expect:
Small-town Christmas celebration in historic gold rush park
Description:
Maryborough's Christmas in the Park brings holiday cheer to the heart of this historic gold rush town. Phillips Gardens, established in 1857, provides a picturesque backdrop for community celebrations. Local performers entertain crowds with live music and dance, while food stalls offer regional delicacies. The event honors Maryborough's rich heritage, taking place near the iconic railway station Mark Twain once described as a "railway station with a town attached." Families can enjoy old-fashioned games and activities that harken back to the town's 19th-century roots.
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Maryborough Christmas in the Park