Christmas Events for Kids in Bendigo (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

3 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 2 Christmas events for kids in Bendigo. The season opens on 21 November with Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day and runs until 5 December with Enlighten Christmas. One of these is free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Australia.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Bendigo and Myers Flat: 2
  • First: Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day, Bendigo, 21 November
  • Free events: Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by suburb, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Bendigo

Kids’ Christmas events
2 confirmed for 2026
Suburbs
Bendigo and Myers Flat
Season
21 November to 5 December
Free events
1
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Bendigo

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Bendigo.

Christmas paradeFree

Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day

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Bendigo Marketplace launches Christmas with a free festive family day on Saturday 21 November. Santa arrives at 11am, escorted by the Australian Defence Force to the Walkers Doughnuts entrance, then walks through the centre with elves, reindeer and friends before Santa photos begin.

Free activities run from 11am to 2pm. Kids can get up close to animals from the Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Education Centre, including a koala or wombat to pat, and pose for a photo with reptiles. There is also doughnut decorating with Walkers Doughnuts, fairy floss from Donut King and Christmas face painting. The centre describes it as a day for all ages, and Santa photos can be booked through a link on the page.

Parent tip: Santa photos are booked separately through the link on the centre page.

Host
Bendigo Marketplace (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bendigo Marketplace, 37 Garsed Street, Bendigo 3550 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bendigo Marketplace (opens in a new tab)

New events in Bendigo every week

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Christmas events for kids in Myers Flat

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Myers Flat.

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 1 more Bendigo event researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Bendigo.
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  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
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  • One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

Coming up on this page

  • 1 Santa
  • 1 Lights
  • 1 Parades
  • 1 Crafts
  • 1 Free

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Christmas lights

Enlighten Christmas (Myers Flat)

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Enlighten Christmas turns the Peace Park at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion into a lightscape on Saturday 5 December from 6.30 to 9.30pm. Light displays run throughout the garden, and light is projected onto the Great Stupa itself, giving families a starry evening walk after dark.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children aged 3 to 16 and $55 for a family of two adults and two children. The Stupa says more information about the program and entertainment will be announced closer to the date. The site is at 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat, a short drive from Bendigo, and there is no public transport directly to the venue.

Parent tip: Plan to drive or carpool, as there is no public transport to the venue. The program details are still to be announced.

Host
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion (opens in a new tab)
Where
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion (Peace Park), 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat 3556 (opens in maps)
Booking
Essential
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion (opens in a new tab)

New events in Bendigo every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Bendigo every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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More Christmas events for kids in Australia

A story for the trip home

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.

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Christmas events for kids in Bendigo: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Bendigo?

For 2026, we confirmed 2 Christmas events for kids in Bendigo, each on its host’s own page: Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day and Enlighten Christmas (Myers Flat). Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Bendigo?

Yes. One of the 2 events here is free: Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day. Check the listing in case you need to book or register.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Bendigo?

Where to see Santa: Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day. Check the listings above for times and booking.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 8 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Bendigo

Bendigo lights its Christmas tree in the Rosalind Park piazza, with the switch-on around 8.45pm. Then carols spread out across the district, from Eaglehawk to Epsom, before the Rotary carols close the season in the park.

A tree in the piazza and carols from Eaglehawk to Epsom

Greater Bendigo opens its Christmas season with the lighting of a tree at the Rosalind Park piazza, on the corner of View Street and Pall Mall. The council's Summer in the Parks program then spreads Christmas carols across the district, from Epsom and Heathcote to Maiden Gully, Axedale, Marong and Eaglehawk.

The big finish is the Rotary Club of Bendigo Carols by Candlelight in Rosalind Park. The Bendigo Times calls the tree lighting a traditional event, but neither it nor the council says when it began.

Ally Gook, face painters and an 8.45pm switch-on

On Friday 21 November 2025 the piazza tree was lit at about 8.45pm. Entertainment began at 6.30pm with roving Christmas characters, face painters, entertainers and carols with singer Ally Gook. The Bendigo letters also got a Christmas makeover, and the lights could be seen every night.

District carols followed on 6, 7 and 14 December. On Sunday 21 December the Rotary carols went ahead in Rosalind Park, even after organisers met several times over the weekend about the rain threat. Money raised went to Headspace Bendigo.

Two fireworks displays on New Year's Eve at Rosalind Park

Bendigo's summer program runs for months. Summer in the Parks began in November 2025, with live music and other events in towns across the district.

On New Year's Eve 2025 there were two fireworks displays, at 9.15pm and midnight at Rosalind Park, best seen from Queen Elizabeth Oval. The 9.15pm show suits younger kids. The council's calendar for the same Christmas season also listed the Eaglehawk Children's Festival on the night of the tree lighting.

Traditions today

  • Piazza tree lighting: A Christmas tree is lit at the Rosalind Park piazza with characters, face painters and carols.
  • District carols: Epsom, Heathcote, Maiden Gully, Axedale, Marong and Eaglehawk each hold their own carols in December.
  • Rotary Carols by Candlelight: A community carols night in Rosalind Park, raising money for Headspace Bendigo in 2025.
  • New Year's Eve fireworks: Two displays at Rosalind Park, at 9.15pm and midnight, best seen from Queen Elizabeth Oval.
  • District carols program: A council program that spreads Christmas carols across the towns of the district in December.

A fact for kids

Bendigo's piazza tree is switched on at about 8.45pm, and even the Bendigo letters get a Christmas makeover.

Questions about Christmas in Bendigo

Where is Bendigo's Christmas tree lit up?

The Christmas tree stands at the Rosalind Park piazza, on the corner of View Street and Pall Mall in the middle of Bendigo. In 2025 it was lit at about 8.45pm on Friday 21 November, after entertainment from 6.30pm. The council's media release gave those details.

What time was the Bendigo tree switched on in 2025?

The piazza tree was lit at about 8.45pm on Friday 21 November 2025. The night ran from 6.30pm to 9pm, with roving characters, face painters, entertainers and carols from singer Ally Gook. Younger children may find the early part of the evening easier than the switch-on itself.

Who sang at the 2025 Bendigo tree lighting?

Singer Ally Gook performed Christmas carols at the 2025 tree lighting in the Rosalind Park piazza. Roving Christmas characters, face painters and other entertainers were also there from 6.30pm, according to the City of Greater Bendigo's media release for Friday 21 November 2025.

What else happens in Bendigo on tree lighting night?

In 2025 the night had entertainment from 6.30pm, with roving Christmas characters, face painters, entertainers and carols with singer Ally Gook. The Eaglehawk Children's Festival was also listed that night. A 2026 date for the tree lighting had not been published when this page was written.

Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Bendigo in 2026?

The tree lighting is an annual event at the Rosalind Park piazza, and in 2025 it was on Friday 21 November. A 2026 date had not been published on any page checked for this guide, so check the City of Greater Bendigo website for the confirmed night.

Where are the Christmas carols in Bendigo?

The Rotary Club of Bendigo Carols by Candlelight is held in Rosalind Park, in the centre of Bendigo. In 2025 it was on Sunday 21 December. Smaller carols are held in other parts of Greater Bendigo, including Epsom, Heathcote, Maiden Gully, Axedale, Marong and Eaglehawk.

When were the Bendigo Carols by Candlelight in 2025?

The Rotary Club of Bendigo Carols by Candlelight was held in Rosalind Park on Sunday 21 December 2025. Organisers weighed up cancelling because of rain but went ahead. The Bendigo Advertiser reported that hundreds of people came and that planning for the 2026 carols had already begun.

Who benefits from the Bendigo Carols by Candlelight?

In 2025 all the money raised went to Headspace Bendigo, a youth mental health service. The carols committee chose it to help the young people who use the service. The Bendigo Advertiser reported this after the Rosalind Park night on 21 December 2025.

Which towns near Bendigo hold their own carols?

The council's 2025 list had Epsom on 6 December, Heathcote and Maiden Gully on 7 December, and Axedale, Marong and Eaglehawk on 14 December. Venues were Garden for the Future, Barrack Reserve, the Maiden Gully Recreation Reserve, Axedale Park, Malone Park and Canterbury Park Gardens.

Where were the Eaglehawk carols in 2025?

Eaglehawk carols were held on 14 December 2025 at Canterbury Park Gardens, according to the City of Greater Bendigo's list of district carols. The Bendigo Times also listed an Eaglehawk Children's Festival on Friday 21 November 2025, the night of the tree lighting.

What is Summer in the Parks in Bendigo?

Summer in the Parks is the City of Greater Bendigo's program of free or low-cost events in parks and towns across the district. It is the program that spreads Christmas carols across towns including Epsom, Heathcote, Maiden Gully, Axedale, Marong and Eaglehawk in December.

Are Bendigo's Christmas events free?

Many are. The Bendigo Times described the 2025 Summer in the Parks events as free or low-cost, but it did not give individual prices. The council's pages list the tree lighting and district carols without ticket prices. Always check the host's page before you go, and ask if gold coin donations are expected.

What time are the New Year's Eve fireworks in Bendigo?

For New Year's Eve 2025 the council listed two displays, at 9.15pm and at midnight, at Rosalind Park, with Queen Elizabeth Oval the best place to watch. The earlier display suits families with small children. Check the council's page for the 2026 arrangements once published.

Where is the best place to watch Bendigo fireworks?

The City of Greater Bendigo says the New Year's Eve fireworks at Rosalind Park are best viewed from Queen Elizabeth Oval. In 2025 there were two displays, one at 9.15pm and another at midnight. Arrive early with a picnic rug, as the council did not publish crowd figures.

Does Bendigo have Christmas events for kids outside the city centre?

Yes. In 2025 district carols were held in Epsom, Heathcote, Maiden Gully, Axedale, Marong and Eaglehawk, and the Bendigo Times listed an Eaglehawk Children's Festival on the night of the tree lighting.

Does Bendigo decorate the city for Christmas?

Yes. Besides the tree in the Rosalind Park piazza, the Bendigo Times reported that the Bendigo letters were given a Christmas makeover in 2025. The tree lights could be seen every night after the switch-on, so families can visit after dinner without needing to be there on the opening night.

Can I take kids to the Bendigo carols in the rain?

In 2025 the Rotary carols went ahead in Rosalind Park even though rain threatened. Organisers held several meetings over the weekend about cancelling before deciding to proceed. Pack ponchos or a light jacket, and check the host's page on the day for any weather update.

What was new at the Bendigo carols in 2025?

The Rotary carols committee said it aimed to refresh and modernise the traditional format. Peter Reading, chair of the committee, was helping to run the event for the first time. Program director Steph McCorkelle also led the planning, as the Bendigo Advertiser reported after the 21 December night.

Where can I find Bendigo's 2026 Christmas events?

Rally Takes the Train's Bendigo Christmas events guide lists events once a 2026 date is confirmed on the host's own page. When this page was written it listed Santa's Arrival Family Fun Day on Saturday 21 November and Enlighten Christmas on Saturday 5 December. A 2026 date for the tree lighting had not been published. The council's Summer in the Parks pages and the Bendigo Region site are good places to check next.

Is there a Christmas pageant in Bendigo?

None of the council or media pages opened for this guide described a Christmas pageant in Bendigo. They did describe a tree lighting with entertainment at the Rosalind Park piazza, district carols and the Rotary Carols by Candlelight, so those are the main community Christmas nights to look out for.

Sources

  1. Christmas tree lighting at the Rosalind Park piazza, City of Greater Bendigo
  2. Summer in the Parks kicks off in November, City of Greater Bendigo
  3. Bumper summer of fun coming to a park near you, Bendigo Times
  4. Bendigo Carols 2025: community unites under cloudy skies, Bendigo Advertiser
  5. Treasured annual Christmas ritual to unfold tonight, Bendigo Times
  6. Summer in the Parks, Bendigo Region
Kelsey Cecil
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