Greater Bendigo will enjoy an exciting line up of events in 2023, including world class shows, exhibitions, sporting events and festivals to entertain and stimulate the local visitor economy.
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Director Strategy and Growth Ben Devanny said the calendar of events for 2023 was shaping up very well.
"We've got so many events already confirmed in 2023, with more great attractions in the pipeline so there's something for everyone," Mr Devanny said.
"Bendigo Art Gallery's Australiana: Designing a Nation opens in March showcasing Australiana through art and design. The exhibition captures moments in the nation's history to the present day," Mr Devanny said.
"Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle is coming to the Ulumbarra Theatre from March 24 to April 30 and will be one of the most ambitious and largest performing arts productions ever to grace the stage.
"Presented by Melbourne Opera, Ring Cycle will be performed at our magnificent 900-seat Ulumbarra Theatre, which was chosen because it is big enough to hold the show's immense stage set.
"The production is a 15-hour epic consisting of four individual operas presented over several weeks: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung.
"This is a huge coup for Bendigo as the production will attract opera fans from all over the world who won't want to miss this marathon performance.
"Bendigo Easter Festival remains one of our most popular annual events, with major cultural attractions, parades, carnival and entertainment taking place over three days from Good Friday April 7 to Easter Sunday April 9. Smaller community events will take place on Easter Monday, April 10.
"To coincide with the festival, Rosalind Park will be home to Kaleidoscope, a new colourful immersive installation from the creator behind House of Mirrors and 1000 Doors. Let your senses be tested wandering through different spaces in an ever-changing light.
"Other great events returning include the popular Lost Trades Fair, which attracts over 20,000 visitors and is back on the Labour Day long weekend (March 11-12), an exciting program is being planned for the Bendigo Writers Festival, while wine and craft beers are celebrated with plenty of festivals taking place in 2023.
"With our impressive sporting facilities, we continue to secure major sporting competitions being held over several days and during weekends. These high-profile sporting events significantly boost our local economy with visitors booking accommodation, shopping and dining out in Greater Bendigo.
"Recent data from Tourism Research Australia for September 2021 to September 2022 reveals Bendigo Loddon's visitor economy is ahead of the curve, with a strong recovery despite COVID-19 restrictions severely impacting the earlier part of the year.
"The figures show we are almost back at pre-COVID levels for domestic overnight stays welcoming 1.27 million visitors. We also had 2.78 million tourists enjoying day trips to Bendigo. Last year's Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition at Bendigo Art Gallery was a game-changer once restrictions eased.
"The exhibition attracted 220,000 visitors, smashing box office records, and its economic impact on the region is estimated at $67M according to Victorian Government figures.
"It confirms the enormous contribution and impact of events, performances and exhibitions on the region, and the vital role played by the tourism, accommodation and hospitality sectors. The City supports around 120 events each year, working hard behind the scenes to ensure it all happens seamlessly.
"As Victoria's Top Tourist Town in 2022, we will continue to deliver a great line up of events for 2023 to stimulate our visitor economy to encourage people to stay longer, shop and dine, and make the most of their time here."
For event updates, visit: https://www.bendigoregion.com.au/explore-bendigo
January
Summer in the Parks program continues, including Australia Day celebrations and movie events
Operation Ouch Live on Stage at Ulumbarra Theatre, January 8
Neangar Park PGA Junior Pro Am, January 11
Neangar Park Adidas PGA Pro Am, January 12
Axedale PGA Adidas Pro Am, January 13
Darts Victoria Open Teams Championship, January 14 - 15
Lunar New Year - Dai Gum San, January 21 / Great Stupa, January 21 - 29
February
Bendigo Chamber Music Festival, February 1 - 5
NBL 3x3 Big Hustle National Championships Qualifiers, February 4 - 5
Victorian Ultimate Championships (frisbee competition), February 11 - 12
Melbourne Vixens pre-season event, February 11 - 12
Basketball Vic Country Under 16 & Under 18 Divisions 1 and 2 Championships, February 18 - 19
Victorian State Ballet presents The Snow Queen on Saturday at Ulumbarra Theatre, February 19
Summer in the Parks program continues, including music events
March
Bendigo Fun Run, March 5
Enlighten at the Great Stupa, March 11
Heathcote Harvest Festival, March 11
Lost Trades Fair celebrates tradition, craftsmanship and skill at Bendigo Racecourse, March 11 - 12
Bowls State Finals Over 60s Championships, March 15 - 17
Bendigo Pride Festival, March 17 - April 2
Bendigo Craft Beer and Cider Festival, March 18
Australiana: Designing a Nation at Bendigo Art Gallery, March 18 - June 25
The Australian Tenors at The Capital, March 19
Richard Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) at Ulumbarra Theatre, March 24 - April 30
Castlemaine State Festival (with events in Bendigo), March 24 - April 9
Football Victoria FC Boys and Girls, March 25 - 26
Multicultural Comedy Gala at The Capital, March 26
Kaleidoscope - a new solo installation in Rosalind Park (from the creator behind House of Mirrors), March 31 - April (date TBC)
April
Bendigo Easter Festival, April 7 - 9 (community events on Easter Monday)
Enlighten at the Great Stupa, April 8
Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival
Bowls Victoria Disability Championships, April 18 - 21
Victorian Rifle Association - The Syme and Queens series, April 19 - 23
Bowls Victoria State Champions Week, April 22 - 30
Basketball Victoria Under 12s Championship, April 21 - 23
Badminton Australia National Championships, April 23 - 29
Cirque Mother Africa at The Capital, April 30
Groovin the Moo
May
Bendigo Writers Festival, May 4 - 7
Illumin8 Festival of Light at The Great Stupa, May 6
Prada Clutch's All-Drag Revue at The Capital, May 12
Hard Quiz Live - hosted by Tom Gleeson at Ulumbarra Theatre, May 13
June
Heathcote on Show, King's Birthday weekend June 10 - 12
One Night in Memphis - Presley, Orbison and Cash at The Capital, June 2
10cc - The Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour at Ulumbarra Theatre, June 28
