The Bendigo Pride Festival returns with a six-day program designed to spotlight local queer culture, history and creativity. Running from April 14 – 19, the festival layers daytime community events with lively evening parties so there’s something for every age and interest. Organisers highlight that free public transport in Victoria for April makes it easier than ever to move between venues, meet friends and explore the full programme without transport stress.
Creative Director Colin McLean, better known as Polly Filla, has curated a schedule that balances celebratory moments with opportunities for learning and storytelling. The week features a formal civic start, workshops that support emerging voices, gallery shows, drag and live music, as well as targeted youth programming and late-night events for adults. Whether you want to join a family-friendly picnic or dance on a moving tram, the festival frames each activity as part of a broader effort to celebrate visibility and community connection.
What the week looks like
The official launch takes place on Tuesday with the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at 11 am in Library Gardens on April 14, featuring remarks from Victorian LGBTIQA+ Commissioner Joe Ball, local councillors and invited guests. Early-week highlights include inclusive writing events and history panels at Bendigo Trades Hall where local writers and researchers unpack queer lives in the Goldfields. There are artist exhibitions, gallery hours at The Beehive Building on Pall Mall, and lunchtime performances across the CBD that make it easy to dip in and out of cultural moments between daily routines.
Daily highlights
Tuesday to Thursday
After the flag-raising on Tuesday, the evening brings a playful quiz at Bendigo Brewing titled Are You Smarter Than a Drag Queen?, hosted by Polly Filla. Wednesday is dedicated to storytelling and local history with a 4:30 pm writers workshop for queer, disabled writers followed by a 6:30 pm panel with writers Sam Elkin, Jill Blee and David Waldron. Thursday moves into live music and drag with Lunch Time Jams in Hargreaves Mall featuring Frankie Bell (12–12:50 pm), Harvey Jenkins-Taylor (1–1:50 pm) and Sherri Parry (2–3 pm). The Queer Country Art Exhibition, curated by Nathan Sims (Mr Dimples), opens in The Beehive Building and runs Thursday to Saturday, with a Saturday artist soirée at 4 pm.
Friday to Sunday
Friday celebrates Thorne Harbour Country’s 10th birthday with a members’ gathering before the beloved Glam Tram, a rolling party aboard historic Bendigo Tramways featuring Polly Filla and DJ TONKY. Nightlife offerings include the women- and femme-focused Big Girls Bar at Trades Hall (performances by Freddie Merkin, Sherri Parry and pole acts from Stage 29 Studios) and The Meat Up! at Sound Music Bar with DJs Tonky and Argonaut, hosts Misty Boxx & Dean Arcuri, and pop-up performances by The Disco Daddies. On Saturday, Pride in the Park fills Rosalind Park from 10 am with Rainbow Storytime at 10:15 am, market stalls, live music from Freddie Merkin and Greg Gould, drag, and a special preview of songs from Priscilla the Musical by the Bendigo Theatre Company. The day includes the Bendigo Bank Dog Show at 1 pm, hosted by Polly Filla, with playful categories and prizes including a double pass for the Best Priscilla inspired Doggie Drag.
Youth, access and community participation
Saturday evening caters for younger attendees with a Rainbow Youth Event at Thorne Harbour Country from 6 pm for 12–18 year olds, offering performances, mocktails, a chill-out space, an art station and a Glam Up area. Adults can transition to a headline concert at Trades Hall from 8 pm featuring Greg Gould with supporting acts Misty Boxx, Pizzazz and Kandy Jackzon and the Disco Daddies. Sunday features two informative panel discussions at Trades Hall from 1 pm before an exclusive screening of Pillion at Bendigo Cinemas. Throughout, organisers are clear that many events are designed to be family-friendly while others are explicitly for adult audiences to ensure appropriate spaces for all.
Practical tips and joining in
Plan your days around transport-free travel in Victoria during April and check venue accessibility—some spaces such as the Sound Music Bar are up a flight of stairs and may present challenges for some attendees. Registration for certain activities like the dog show happens on the day, and gallery hours for the Queer Country Art Exhibition run from 9 am to 6 pm Thursday through Saturday, wrapping up at 4 pm on Sunday. For a full, up-to-date programme and details on how to participate, consult the festival’s official schedule and community partners; this is the best way to make sure you don’t miss headline performances, workshops and the many spontaneous moments that make the festival special.