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 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 Torchlight Procession, concluding with a spectacular firework display over the city.
Don’t miss the iconic 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 2024 the Bendigo Easter Festival will be held Good Friday March 29 – Easter Monday April 1.
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.
Yes the festival is free to attend. The majority of activities held during the Bendigo Easter Festival are also free to visitors, however there are some activities that have a cost associated (i.e. the amusement rides in Carnival Central, CFA Kids Amusement Rides, Farmer Darryl, CFA fire truck rides, Vision Australia Easter Egg Hunt).
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About the program
Yes! The full program will be available in early-mid February, with a PDF version published here on the website.
Torchlight Procession
When: Easter Saturday March 30, 2024
Where: The parade route follows View St, Pall Mall, McCrae St, and Bridge St
Gala Parade
When: Easter Sunday March 31, 2024
Where: The parade route follows View St, Pall Mall, McCrae St, and Bridge St
A fireworks display will follow the conclusion of the Torchlight procession on Saturday March 30, 2024.
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 March 30, 2024. 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
More information on accessible amenities, parking and parade viewing will be available closer to the festival.
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]