The 2026 Bendigo Easter Festival will return from April 3-6 with an outstanding program featuring vibrant parades, cultural performances, family entertainment, and popular community run events for residents and visitors to enjoy.
This year's festival, run by the City of Greater Bendigo, will also mark the Bendigo Easter Fair Society's 100th anniversary. The volunteer-led organisation was established in 1926 to guide the Bendigo Easter Festival, which remains one of Australia's longest running community festivals.
A special multimedia exhibition, 100 Years of the Bendigo Easter Fair Society - Custodians of the Grand Fair, will be on display at the Living Arts Space, Bendigo Visitor Centre, from Thursday April 2 to Saturday May 2.
Centenary celebrations also include the iconic six-metre-tall fibreglass Kewpie doll, originally named Violet, which will make a nostalgic return. First appearing at the 131st festival and in parades in 2001 and 2002 after being purchased by the Bendigo Easter Fair, Violet was one of 12 figures created for the 2000 Olympic Games closing ceremony. She will be temporarily installed in the piazza in Rosalind Park. (Please refer to the Bendigo Easter Fair Society media release for more details on this special anniversary).
Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said Easter was a special time in Greater Bendigo.
"It's going to be exciting to see so much colour and vibrancy this year. The program features fantastic cultural performances celebrating Bendigo's Chinese heritage, dazzling parades, bustling market days and an abundance of family entertainment," Cr Prince said.
"The Bendigo Easter Festival is a homegrown treasure. Its success is made possible thanks to the dedication of City of Greater Bendigo staff who deliver the event, the support of the Bendigo Easter Fair Society, dedicated volunteers, local community groups and premium sponsor Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine and other generous sponsors.
"I want to sincerely thank everyone involved for their valued support, which enables us to deliver a welcoming and memorable festival for all."
For the full program, visit: https://www.bendigoeasterfestival.org.au/
