Frequently Asked Questions
About the Bendigo Easter Festival
Over the Easter long weekend, Bendigo’s beautiful Rosalind Park and surrounding streets will be transformed into a vibrant precinct bursting with family-friendly entertainment.
An extensive program of activities and attractions offers something for all ages. Be in the hunt for 80,000 Easter Eggs on Good Friday, experience the thrills of Bendigo Bank Carnival Central, find a treasure at the Rotary Market, rock along to live music or keep the kids busy in a park filled with hands-on activities and performances.
Dance, drums, Lion teams and 100,000 crackers are all part of Awakening of the Dragon, as Bendigo celebrates its Chinese heritage at the Dai Gum San Precinct.
As the sun sets on Easter Saturday, cheer on the convoy of illuminated floats in the O’Brien Plumbing & HVAC Torchlight Procession, concluding with a spectacular firework display over the city.
Don’t miss the iconic Bendigo Advertiser Gala Parade on Easter Sunday where you’ll experience the excitement of Dai Gum Loong, the world’s longest Imperial Dragon, weaving his way through the historic streetscapes of Bendigo.
The Bendigo Easter Festival is filled with fun and excitement the whole family will enjoy, and after visiting this annual event it is sure to become your family’s Easter tradition!
The Bendigo Easter Festival is held annually over the Easter Long Weekend.
In 2023 the Bendigo Easter Festival will be held Good Friday April 7 – Easter Monday April 10.
The official program of events will take place from Good Friday to Easter Sunday in the main festival precinct surrounding Rosalind Park.
Some smaller events run by local community groups (held in various locations) will continue into Easter Monday.
The Bendigo Easter Festival is held throughout the Bendigo CBD. Key locations are Rosalind Park, Easter Festival Way (Bridge Street) and Park Road, Dai Gum San, Bull Street, Sidney Myer Place, William Vahland Place, and Mundy Street.
The majority of activities held during the Bendigo Easter Festival are free to visitors, however there are some activities that have a cost associated (i.e. the amusement rides in Bendigo Bank Carnival Central, CFA Kids Amusement Rides, Farmer Darryl, CFA fire truck rides, Vision Australia Easter Egg Hunt).
During the festival there are a number of ways to find information:
- Event information will be available from the information tent, located in the centre of Rosalind Park.
- Our friendly staff at the Bendigo Visitor Centre in Pall Mall can help you with event information, as well as general information on visiting the Bendigo region.
- Program information and updates are available on our website and the Bendigo Easter Festival Facebook page
Subscribe to our e-news so you don’t miss a thing. You’ll be the first to hear of exciting program reveals, competitions and news. Subscribe here.
Like us for event news, exclusive competitions and behind the scenes pics on Facebook.
Follow Explore Bendigo on Instagram to see all the festival highlights and be inspired by all things Bendigo.
Check out Explore Bendigo's new Tik Tok account for even more festival more.
Subscribe to the Explore Bendigo YouTube channel to see highlight videos.
Use the #bendigoeasterfestival and #explorebendigo hashtags to tag your Instagram and Facebook posts.
If you become separated from your child, please go directly to the information / lost person tent located in the middle of Rosalind Park, and request assistance. You can also ask event staff or security staff for assistance – look for the hi-vis vests!
Wrist bands will be available at the Bendigo Visitor Centre and the information / lost person tent. These can be used to ensure your child has the name and mobile number of their parent/guardian with them at all times. This is very helpful for young children who are not able to verbalise these details, and makes for a quicker reunion.
Before you come to the festival, we encourage you to make a plan with your children on what to do should you become seperated.
If you are still on the festival site, visit the information / lost person tent located in the centre of Rosalind Park to see if the item has been handed in.
If you’ve already left the festival, shoot an email to [email protected] and let us know the details. We’ll be in touch if the item is handed in.
Please be respectful of others and move outside the event precinct and away from crowded areas to smoke and/or vape. This includes the parade route.
Pets are not permitted within the festival precinct. However, assistance animals are permitted.
Yes, there will be an ATM located in the food court in Sydney Myer Place.
About the program
Yes! A PDF of the program is available to view, download or print here.
O’Brien Plumbing & HVAC Torchlight Procession
When: Easter Saturday April 8, 2023 at 7pm
Where: The parade route follows View St, Pall Mall, McCrae St, and Bridge St view event map
Bendigo Advertiser Gala Parade
When: Easter Sunday April 9, 2023 at 12.30pm
Where: The parade route follows View St, Pall Mall, McCrae St, and Bridge St view event map
Accessible viewing areas will be designated for both parades - see accessibility section
A fireworks display will follow the conclusion of the O’Brien Plumbing & HVAC Torchlight Procession on Saturday April 8. This display will take place between approximately 8.30 – 9pm, however this is subject to the procession finish time.
The display will be set off the Poppet Head in Rosalind Park.
The best viewing locations are Rosalind Park (near the Rotunda), Dai Gum San precinct, the Alexander Fountain, View Street, Queen Elizabeth Oval and Barnard Street.
All livestock and pet owners are recommended to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and comfort of their animals during this time.
The Awakening of the Dragon is held on Saturday April 8. It is a traditional Chinese ceremony used to wake Dai Gum Loong from his year long slumber in preparation for his performance in the Bendigo Advertiser Gala Parade on Easter Sunday. He doesn’t come out of the museum for this performance. The event features a celebration filled with traditional lion and dragon dance, and concludes with 100,000 firecrackers used to wake Dai Gum Loong.
Accessibility
Visit our accessibility page for more information on accessibily ammenities, parking and parade viewing.
Access to amenities
Public toilets are located throughout the CBD and festival precinct. Locations are:
- Rosalind Park
- Mews Laneway (behind the Bendigo Visitor Centre)
- Dai Gum San Chinese Precinct (at the back of Golden Dragon Museum)
- Hargreaves Street
- McCrae Street Car Park
- Easter Fair Way
- QEO
- Tom Flood Sports Centre
First Aid will be on site during the festival and will be located in the centre of Rosalind Park (near the information / lost person tent). First Aiders will also be actively out and about on foot or bike so give them a wave if you require assistance.
A Coliban Water Hydration Station will be in Rosalind Park near the Sidney Myer Place Bridge. Don't forget to bring your drink bottle!
Yes, a parenting room will be available throughout the festival, located in William Vahland Place.
Getting to the Festival
Select roads will be closed throughout the festival precinct at different times over the weekend. These changes will be in effect from Wednesday 5 April to Monday 10 April 2023.
There will be various detours around the central business district so please follow the road signs.
| Street | Closed | Re-Open | Reason |
| Mundy St (Pall Mall to Lyttleton Terrace) Hargreaves St (Mundy St to Bull St) | 6am Thurs 06/04/2023 | 6am Mon 10/04/2023 | Carnival Central |
| Easter Fair Way, Bridge St, Park Rd and Farmers Ln | 4pm Thurs 06/04/2023 | 4pm Thurs 06/04/2023 | Market, entertainment and Parade Assembly |
| Sidney Myer Place (Pall Mall to Rosalind Park) | 6am Wed 05/04/2023 | 6am Mon 10/04/2023 | Food Court |
| William Vahland Place (Pall Mall to Rosalind Park) | 6am Thurs 06/04/2023 | 6am Mon 10/04/2023 | Amusement Rides |
| Bull Street (Pall Mall to Hargreaves St) | 4pm Thurs 06/04/2023 | 6am Mon 10/04/2023 | Musical Entertainment |
| Pall Mall (View St to Chapel St) | 6am Fri 07/04/2023 | 6am Sat 08/04/2023 | Pedestrian access |
| View St, Pall Mall, McCrae St, Chapel St and Bridge St | 6am Sat 08/04/2023 | 6pm Sun 09/04/2023 | Parades |
Various detours will be in effect in the central business district. Please follow the road signs. If your business has produce or home delivery services, please be mindful of the road closure times listed above. Please contact the us via [email protected] by Friday March 24 to make arrangements if required. | |||
Public Transport will operate over the Easter weekend. Visit the PTV website for details.
Festival activities will require a number of bus stop closures and subsequent route detours. The below bus services will be affected from the first service Friday 7 April until the last service Sunday 9 April 2023 to accommodate for festival activities and events.
Bus Diversions: First Service to Last Service Friday 07 April 2023
| BUS | DIRECTION | DIVERSION |
| 5 | To K/Flat | McCrae, (L) Baxter, (R) Hargreaves, (L) Chapel, (R) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station, Railway Place, (S) Arthur, (L) Wills, (R) Myrtle, (L) High |
| To Huntly | High, (R) Myrtle, (L) Hargreaves, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (L) Chapel, (R) Hargreaves, (L) Baxter, (R) Napier | |
| 51 | To Bendigo | Bridge, (S) Chapel, (R) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To Eaglehawk | Bendigo Station, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (L) Chapel, (S) Bridge | |
| 60 | To Bendigo | McIvor, (L) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To E/Bendigo | Bendigo Station, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (R) McIvor Road | |
| 61 | To Bendigo | McIvor, (L) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To La Trobe | Bendigo Station, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (R) McIvor Road | |
| 70 | To Bendigo | Williamson, (L) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To S’Saye | Bendigo Station, (L) Michell, (R) Myers, (R) Williamson |
Bus Diversions: First Service Saturday 8 April to Last Service Sunday 9 April 2023 (Parade Closure)
| BUS | DIRECTION | DIVERSION |
| 5 | To K/Flat | McCrae, (L) Baxter, (R) Hargreaves, (L) Chapel, (R) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station, Railway Place, (S) Arthur, (L) Wills, (R) Myrtle, (L) High |
| To Huntly | High, (R) Myrtle, (L) Hargreaves, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (L) Chapel, (R) Hargreaves, (L) Baxter, (R) Napier | |
| 50 | To Bendigo | (R) Barnard, (L) Don, (S) Myrtle, (L) Wills, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To Epsom | Bendigo Stn, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (L) Chapel, (R) Hargreaves, (L) Baxter, (R) Napier, (L) Arnold | |
| 51 | To Bendigo | (R) Barnard, (L) Don, (S) Myrtle, (L) Wills, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To Eaglehawk | Bendigo Stn, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (L) Chapel, (R) Hargreaves, (L) Baxter, (R) Napier, (L) Arnold | |
| 52 | To Bendigo | Arnold, (R) McCrae, (L) Baxter, (R) Hargreaves, (L) Chapel, (R) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To Eaglehawk | Bendigo Stn, Railway Place, (S) Arthur, (L) Wills, (R) Myrtle, (S) Don, (R) Barnard, (L) Arnold | |
| 53 | To Bendigo | Eaglehawk Road, (R) Don, (S) Myrtle, (L) Hargreaves, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To Eaglehawk | Bendigo Station, Railway Place, (S) Arthur, (L) Wills, (R) Myrtle, (S) Don, (L) Eaglehawk Road | |
| 54 | To Bendigo | View, (R) Barnard, (L) Don, (S) Myrtle, (L) Hargreaves, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To M/Gully | Bendigo Station, Railway Place, (S) Arthur, (L) Wills, (R) Myrtle, (S) Don, (R) Barnard, (L) View | |
| 55 | To Bendigo | Barnard, (R) Don, (S) Myrtle, (L) Hargreaves, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To K/Flat | Bendigo Station, Railway Place, (S) Arthur, (L) Wills, (R) Myrtle, (S) Don, (L) Barnard | |
| 60 | To Bendigo | McIvor, (L) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To E/Bendigo | Bendigo Station, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (R) McIvor Road | |
| 61 | To Bendigo | McIvor, (L) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To La Trobe | Bendigo Station, (L) Mitchell, (R) Myers, (R) McIvor Road | |
| 64 | To Bendigo | Myrtle, (R) Wills, (R) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To G/Square | Bendigo Station, Railway Place, (S) Arthur, (L) Wills, (L) Myrtle | |
| 70 | To Bendigo | Williamson, (L) Myers, (L) Mitchell, Bendigo Station |
| To S’Saye | Bendigo Station, (L) Michell, (R) Myers, (R) Williamson |
(L) – Left into… (R) – Right into… (S) – Continue Straight to…
Bus Stop Closures: Friday 7 April to Sunday 9 April 2023
| Acadia St / Barnard St (35989) | Mundy St / Pall Mall (35850) |
| Baxter St / McCrae St (35851 & 35857) | Queen Elizabeth Oval / View St (35950 & 35990) |
| Bendigo Aquatic Centre / Barnard St (35992) | Rowan St / View St (35991) |
| Bendigo Crochet Club / Barnard St (35993) | Short St / High St (50462) |
| Bull St / Pall Mall (35860) | St Killian’s Church / McCrae St (35858) |
| Don St / Eaglehawk Road (35952) | Tom Flood Sports Centre / Barnard St (36042) |
| Forest St / Barnard St (35951) | Valentine St / Eaglehawk Road (50841) |
| Mitchell St Central Bay A / Mitchell St (35756) | Vine St / Barnard St (50843) |
| Mitchell St Central Bay B / Mitchell St (35822) | Water St / Barnard St (35994) |
| Mundy St / McCrae St (35859) | Water St / Bridge St (40442 & 35995) |
| Mundy St / Myers St (41308 & 35896) | King St / Myrtle St (40487) |
| High St / Myrtle St (35788) |
NB: The Bendigo Railway Station bus stops will operate as normal throughout this period. For any enquiries please contact the City of Greater Bendigo Customer Support on 1300 002 642.
Easily attend the Easter Festival by using a Bendigo Tramways Park 'n' Ride Tram shuttle ticket.
Avoid traffic and parking issues by taking one of Bendigo's iconic trams.
Tram stops at Central Deborah Gold Mine, Lake Weeroona and Bendigo Joss House Temple allow you to travel easily to and from the CBD.
Tickets are valid all day allowing you to go to and from the Easter Festival. $5 per person. Children 15 and under are FREE.
Timetables and tickets available online at: bendigotramways
During the festival, two multi-story car parks will be open free of charge:
Hargreaves Street (opposite Bendigo Library)
- Good Friday: 7am – 11pm
- Saturday: 7am – 11pm
- Easter Sunday: 7am – 8pm
- Easter Monday: 9am - 6pm
Edward Street
- Good Friday: 7am – 11pm
- Saturday: 7am – 11pm
- Easter Sunday: 7am –8pm
- Easter Monday: 9am - 6pm
Please note the following car parks will be closed at times during the festival:
- The McCrae Street car park will be closed from 5pm Thursday April 6 until 6pm Sunday April 9
- Mundy Street car park will be closed from 6am Thursday April 6 until 6am Monday April 10
- The Queen Elizabeth Oval car park will be closed 6am Saturday April 8 until 6pm Sunday April 9
- The Tom Flood Sports Centre carpark will be closed from 6am Saturday April 8 until 6pm Sunday April 9.
Bus and long haul parking will be available at:
- Bath Lane
- Hopetoun Street
- Hargreaves Street (near Bendigo Bowling Centre)
- High Street (near McDonalds)
- Tom Flood Sports Centre – coaches only*
*Please note that the Tom Flood Sports Centre will have no entry or exit from 6am Saturday April 8 until 6pm Sunday April 9 due to parades.
Why not jump on your bike, ride to the festival and avoid the hassle of parking a car? We are providing a designated area for bike parking in Rosalind Park (View Street end), allowing you more time to explore the festival precinct.
The bike parking area is available from 10am - 5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This area is unsupervised so remember to bring your bike locks and don't forget your helmet.
Please visit the accessibility page.
Other FAQ
In the event of extreme weather conditions, events may be moved to a dry weather venue or cancelled. Please refer to the Easter Festival Facebook page for the latest information.
The friendly staff at the Bendigo Visitor Centre can help you with all your accommodation booking needs. Or you can book your accommodation online here.
Bendigo Visitor Centre
51-67 Pall Mall Bendigo
P: 03 5434 6060
Freecall: 1800 813 153
E: [email protected]
