Bendigo is a vibrant regional gem, bursting with history, culture, and plenty to see and do. Known for its rich gold rush heritage, the city blends old-world charm with modern-day attractions.
Bendigo is also home to long-standing traditions like the Easter Festival, where the world’s longest imperial dragon takes to the streets, and the Bendigo Art Gallery, which hosts internationally acclaimed exhibitions. Enjoy a day at Lake Weeroona, take the kids to the Discovery Science & Technology Centre, or stroll through the beautiful botanic gardens.
Whether you're here for history, food, shopping, or adventure, Bendigo has something for everyone!
Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Time: Gates open at 10:30 am
Location: Bendigo Racecourse, Heinz Street, White Hills VIC 3550
Cost: From $30 per adult for general admission
Enjoy one of Bendigo’s biggest social events of the year at the Ladbrokes Bendigo Cup! Experience a full day of thoroughbred horse racing, fashion, entertainment and a fantastic atmosphere as locals and visitors come together for this popular annual event.
Whether you're keen to follow the racing action, dress up for the occasion or enjoy a day out with friends, there are ticket options to suit a range of budgets and styles. General admission starts at $30 per person, with premium hospitality packages available for those wanting to make a special day of it.
Ticket prices range from $30 for general admission to premium hospitality packages starting at $550, with various dining and trackside viewing experiences also available. Some packages are already sold out, so it's worth booking ahead.
For tickets, package details and event information, visit the official Bendigo Cup website.
Did you know? Bendigo’s first agricultural show competition was a ploughing match held at Lockwood way back in 1859! Farmers competed to see who could plough the straightest, neatest and most even furrows – a serious test of skill in those days. Things have changed just a little since then...
The Bendigo Agricultural Show is back, Fri 23rd & Sat 24th October 2026, with all the things that make the Show such a fun couple of days – animals, rides, show food, competitions and plenty happening around the grounds.
And some of the events are definitely worth stopping for. There’s woodchopping, dog high jumping, horse events, cattle, sheep and goat judging, the Ute Competition and precision driving.
Then there’s the Young Farmers Challenge, which is a little more entertaining than the name might suggest. Teams race against the clock completing practical farming challenges.
Away from the arena, have a wander through the pavilions and you'll find everything from baking and flowers to photography, art and homecraft, alongside the livestock and agricultural displays.
If you're bringing the family, here's a handy one – children 12 and under get free entry. Gates are open from 9am until 9pm, with fireworks finishing off the evening.
It’s a funny mix when you think about it – you can watch a dog high jump, inspect a prize-winning cake, wander past a few goats and then head off for a ride. That's the Bendigo Show.
Have a look through the full program and see what's happening across the two days.
Image credit: bendigoshow.com.au
Bendigo National Swap Meet – Australia’s biggest and the world’s 4th largest!
The largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere attracting over 30,000 motoring enthusiasts. Featuring motorcycles and steam & oil engine displays.
Dates: : November 14-15th 2026
Gates open: 6 am Saturday and 7 am Sunday
Admission: Saturday
$15, Sunday $5
Children under 16 free
Contact: 0434 730 822
Email: info@bendigoswap.com.au
Location: Bendigo Showgrounds, Holmes Road, BendigoThe annual Swap Meet has been held in Bendigo since 1975.
Bendigo has excellent club rooms and mechanical facilities enabling it to play host to many other car club rallies.
The Federation now supports 96 clubs with trophy donations and grants for equipment, 3 picnic displays, and quarterly meetings all of which are fully funded from the Swap Income.
The Swap now has over 1,700 sites and attracts in excess of 20,000 people over the weekend and it is known worldwide in the Historic Vehicle movement. Car restoration parts and cars from the 1900s to current models are available for sale over the three days.
Bendigo on the Hop, Bendigo Beer's annual event is on again!
WHEN: Usually in August- 2027 TBC
Visit: bendigobeer.com/both-2026
Craft beer is about local ingredients, flavour, and aroma. It's about enjoying a quality product with friends and living life with a little flair. In the last 3 years, the number of craft beer venues in central Victoria has grown from a handful to over 50, in part due to the hard work and dedication from the team at Bendigo Beer.
We invite you to the sustainable garden party!
DATE: Usually in March- 2027 TBC
TIME: 10:00 am - 4.00 pm
WHERE: Garden for the Future, White Hills.
Attendees will have the chance to purchase, learn, and explore many new and creative ways to live. You can then implement them into your everyday life at home and at work.
Entry is by gold coin donation.
The tradition of wine grape growing in the Bendigo region is nearly as old as Bendigo itself. Bendigo’s winemakers are winning attention with their elegant reds and stylish whites. The majority of the local Bendigo wineries are small to medium-sized and are still run by the families who founded them.
For more info go to: bendigowine.org.au/wineries
If you've never been to one of our great wine events before, you are missing out. Plan your next Bendigo stay around one of these amazing wine experiences.
Meet the winemakers of the region, sample the best Bendigo wines, and enjoy live music in a tranquil garden setting.
When: Usually in May- 2027 TBC
Where: Rosalind Park, Bendigo
Experience the Heathcote Region at Heathcote On Show where artisan winemakers, chefs, brewers, and musicians welcome you to Heathcote.
When: Usually in June- 2027 TBC
Where: Heathcote (Various locations)
WEBSITE: https://heathcoteonshow.com
TEMPORARILY BEING HELD IN TOOWOOMBA DUE TO BENDIGO SHOWGROUND WORKS.
Meatstock Bendigo - The Music, Barbecue And Camping Festival
Meatstock is back for more BBQ, Bands, and Bedlam!
Meatstock 2026 is bigger and better than ever, returning with a fun-filled sensory explosion. Set across two huge days, each event celebrates the best of barbecue culture, live music, and unforgettable good times.
“Meatstock is a weekend of like-minded music and barbecue-crazed people, with lots of families hanging out, camping together, and enjoying amazing, authentic barbecue, great music, and really fun entertainment. The energy is amazing!” enthused Jay Beaumont, Director of Meatstock.
You can also follow Meatstock on Instagram and Facebook.
All ticket pricing and event information are available at the Meatstock website.
The Bendigo Writers Festival is an inspiring end-of-winter celebration held in Central Victoria’s Bendigo, on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country. Established in 2012, it brings together writers, readers, and creative minds, fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere where stories and ideas are shared.
Each year, the festival presents a vibrant program of panel discussions, keynote talks, workshops, book launches, and performances. It provides a platform for both emerging and established writers to showcase their work, engage with audiences, and promote literacy and lifelong learning. The event attracts respected authors and thinkers from across Australia and beyond.
Since Bendigo’s designation as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy in 2019, food culture has also become a key feature of the festival, celebrated through special gastronomic events. Hosted in iconic venues such as The Capital, Bendigo Art Gallery, Dudley House, and The Engine Room, the festival brings the View Street precinct to life.
Date & Time
Council has provided support to prepare for the return of Bendigo Writers Festival in 2027.
Location
The Capital, Bendigo, 50A View St, Bendigo
