By Rama Gaind.
Bendigo Easter Festival.
There’s an amazing line-up of heritage, art and outdoor festival experiences and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy with the return of the Bendigo Region annual autumn calendar of events.
Until May 2023, visitors to the central Victorian region will be able to appreciate amazing experiences throughout the Bendigo, Castlemaine, Harcourt, Wedderburn and Central Goldfields regions – ensuring autumn 2023 will be action-packed and one to remember.
Showcasing hallmark events for all the family to enjoy as well as many smaller and quirkier events – Bendigo’s autumn campaign is the perfect excuse for an autumn escape and getaway for locals and travellers alike.
Highlights include:
Bendigo
Australiana: Designing a Nation: Exhibited exclusively at Bendigo Art Gallery for free, ‘Australiana: Designing a Nation’ runs until 25 June. Identifying the distinct traditions that have reflected and changed popular notions of Australian identity and style, this exhibition includes more than 200 objects on display, ranging from drawings and paintings to photographs, fashion and design.
Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle from Melbourne Opera: Be catapulted into a world of giants and dwarves, serpents and toads, gods and apples during Richard Wagner’s Opera Ring Cycle until 30 April. Performed in the Ulumbarra Theatre, with a 90-piece Melbourne Opera Orchestra, this four-part music drama comprises D30 as Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung performances across a total span of 15 hours.
Castlemaine State Festival.
Bendigo Easter Festival: Over the Easter long weekend (7-10 April), Bendigo’s Rosalind Park and surrounding streets will be transformed into a vibrant precinct bursting with family-friendly entertainment for the Bendigo Easter Festival. An extensive program of activities and attractions offers something for all ages including an egg hunt with over 80,000 Easter eggs, Carnival Central, live music and performances, and the awakening of the world’s longest Imperial Dragon – Dai Gum Loong.
Bendigo Winemakers Festival: Celebrate the end of this year’s vintage at the Bendigo Winemakers Festival on 22 April in Rosalind Park for an open-air, wine and food festival in the heart of Bendigo.
Bendigo Writers Festival: The festival will take place across three days (4-7 May) and include more than 120 writers and 70 events for discussions about every kind of writing under the sun.
ILLUMIN8: Hosted at the Great Stupa on 6 May, ILLUMIN8 is a family friendly event with light installations, cultural performances, food stalls, family entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. Bookings are essential.
Castlemaine & Harcourt
Castlemaine Fringe Festival: Discover a big program of art events around Castlemaine, Maldon and surrounds including music, dance, theatre, a treasure map of art around town, a Roller disco, art exhibitions, a huge street party, and picnics in the park at the 2023 Castlemaine Festival until 2 April.
Minelab Wedderburn Detector Jamboree 2023.
Castlemaine State Festival: Australia’s longest running flagship regional arts festival – the biennial Castlemaine State Festival commissions, develops and presents a thrilling program of events encompassing performance, music, literature, visual arts and film until 9 April.
Central Goldfields
Ladder To the Stars exhibition: Visit the inaugural exhibition ‘Ladder to The Stars: Dean Bowen Sculptures’ at the unique and newly-renovated Central Goldfields Art Gallery in Maryborough until 23 April. The exhibition features more than 30 bronze sculptures and assemblages from 2004 to 2022 by Maryborough-born sculptor and painter, Dean Bowen.
Tiny Towns Art Trail: Showcasing over the ANZAC weekend (22-24 April), the annual Tiny Towns Arts Trail is an open studio event that provides visitors with a unique experience and opportunity to peek into the creative minds and working spaces of local Central Goldfields artists.
There are more close-up experiences during the Bendigo autumn campaign, each with novel, quirky angles, so make the most of enjoying them all!
FACT BOX
Bendigo autumn campaign
www.bendigoregion.com.au
