Greater Bendigo's rich and diverse heritage is celebrated as part of the 2026 Australian Heritage Festival, which runs from April 18 to May 18.
The festival features a variety of fascinating events ranging from exclusive access to significant places and spaces, talks, heritage walks, and special events.
Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the festival program offered community members and visitors the chance to experience and explore many unique heritage places and be entertained by storytelling from the past.
"It is not often that people get the chance to gain access to incredible places and it is a sneak peek not to be missed so I encourage you to browse the program and register for events," Cr Prince said.
The festival program for Greater Bendigo includes:
- A tour of three Bendigo Church organs with internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso Thomas Heywood covering St Killian's Church, St Andrew's Uniting Church, and Sacred Heart Cathedral on April 18
- Several tours at the former Gas Works will run each day on April 19 and May 9, presented by the Bendigo & District branch of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
- Golden Dragon Museum is presenting The Story of Bridge Street's Chinatown on April 23 with the museum's Research Officer Leigh McKinnon
- Exclusive tours of the former Bendigo Law Courts on Pall Mall are being held from Sunday April 19 to Sunday May 17
- Several Historic Bendigo Walking Tours are available with stories from the gold rush uncovering fortune, rebellion, and resilience from April 18 to May 18
- Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet readings from BottledSnail Productions, a not-for-profit performing arts company is on May 2 at the historic former Bendigo Law Courts
- The Operatic Servant Girl written by Charles Robert Thatcher in 1852 will have its premiere performance at the historic Lauriston Chapel at Langley Estate on May 3
- An Evening with Mick Thomas featuring music and Australian storytelling at the historic Black Swan Hotel on May 14
Guided Tour of Langley Estate on May 16 with Thomas Heywood
