Events This Winter in Bendigo

Paris: Impressions of Life 1880 – 1925

Now – 14 July 
Bendigo Art Gallery is hosting yet another incredible exclusive exhibition, Paris: Impressions of Life 1880 – 1925. The exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the lively and picturesque streets of historic Paris. You can expect to see more than 170 works of art and artisans’ objects from the renowned collection of the Musée Carnavalet, an iconic museum of the history of Paris. Think artisan street signs, historic couture, decorative arts and everyday ephemera alongside paintings and graphic prints.

Electric Wonderland

28 June – 14 July
The very popular Electric Wonderland is returning to the historic Rosalind Park for the winter school holidays. This year will celebrate the Lunar Year of the Dragon, gastronomy, interactive paths, laser lights, thousands of fairy lights and a 40m replica of Sacred Heart Cathedral. 
Be mesmerised by large-scale illuminated sculptures, a 360-degree laser alley light show, musical stepping stones and a garden of giant blooming flowers, among many other jaw-dropping installations. 

Stars on Ice

28 June - 14 July
Stars on Ice is bringing a pop up ice skating rink to Hargreaves Mall over the winter school holidays. Fun for all the family, the rink will be open daily from 10am - 9pm, with skate sessions running for 45 minutes.

Skate hire will cost $24 adult (16 years and above), $19 child/concession (6 - 15 years), $15 toddler (2 - 5 years), $68 family (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children), groups of 10 or more is $18 per person and penguin pal hire (to help new skaters find their fee) is $10.

Barrel Wine Tasting Weekend

6 - 7 July
Hands up those of you who love a glass of red by a cosy open fire in winter. Us too! And if you’re anything like us, tasting wine straight from the barrel is even better.  
Held over two days, some of Bendigo’s best winemakers will be opening their doors and offering a tasting of their wines in barrel. Usually guarded treasures, for one weekend only you’ll get to visit these sacred barrel halls, get up close and personal with the winemakers and learn all about your favourite drops of Bendigo wines.

Australian Sheep & Wool

19 – 21 July 
For three days in July, Bendigo becomes the epicentre of all things woollen fashion, fine foods and beautiful fibre at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
See the incredible passion, hard work and skills being showcased by Australia’s top wool growers and prime lamb growers. Wander through and see the best of the best sheep breeders, shearers and wool handlers in the country. Catch shearing and wool handling competitions, sheepdog trials and meet farmyard animals in the nursery.
A must-see event championing Australia’s best. 

Women of Wool

19 July
It’s time to celebrate the incredible women of the wool industry. 
That’s right, join us at The Sheep Show’s Women in Wool series of events, including the Luncheon, where you can view fine woollen designs at the Australian Wool Innovation fashion parades, see ‘wearable art’ and other amazing entries from top Woolcraft competitors. Better yet, enjoy a high tea, buy beautifully hand-crafted woollen products and more.

Bendigo Writers Festival

16 - 18 August
It’s a new chapter for Bendigo Writers Festival as they return to August in 2024. Enjoy the popular three-day event celebrating all things storytelling by bringing together writers, readers, and creative thinkers from a variety of backgrounds and genres.

Bendigo on the Hop

31 August
Australia’s best and most unique winter beer festival, Bendigo on the Hop, is on again and this year they’re celebrating 10 years of awesomeness. They’ll be pairing up some of the city’s finest beer venues alongside Australia’s best independent brewers. Grab your beer lovin’ drinking buddies as you wander through Bendigo’s heritage-lined streets, meet and talk to the brewers and enjoy an awesome day out.
Delicious beers. Great food. Live music. Good times. What more could you ask for?!

Heathcote on Show

8 – 10 June
Explore the best of the Heathcote region with Heathcote on Show. This is a great opportunity to explore the Heathcote region with more than 20 wineries, breweries and distilleries offering exclusive tastings, new releases, live music and gourmet food over the King’s Birthday long weekend. Grab a bus pass and visit cosy boutique cellar doors, relax in front of an open fire, meet the winemakers and enjoy a great weekend out.