Bendigo is set to celebrate the rich cultures of Africa when the inaugural Bendigo African Festival transforms Hargreaves Mall into a vibrant community festival on Saturday 1 August 2026.
Running from 10am to 8pm, the free event is presented by the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF), the organisation behind Australia’s largest African festival held each November at Melbourne’s Federation Square.
The Bendigo event marks AMCF’s first regional Victorian festival and will showcase African food, music, dance, fashion and storytelling while encouraging visitors to explore the city’s businesses.
A major local presence at the festival will be Bendigo-based Ghanaian-born chef, author and musician Ras Ato. Well known for sharing West African cuisine and culture across the region, he will curate the African Story Village, host an African cooking demonstration and present a traditional African fashion parade featuring Bendigo’s African communities.
Food will be another major drawcard, with visitors able to sample dishes from across the continent through vendors including Tastes of Senegal, AMA’s Delight, Zuya African BBQ, Shisanyama South African Cuisine and Malewa City Bar & Food. The culinary program complements Bendigo’s reputation as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy.
The packed 10-hour program will feature live African drumming, traditional and contemporary dance, storytelling, market stalls, children’s activities, fashion showcases and interactive workshops. I
nternational ensemble Sun of Africa will headline with energetic drumming, mask dancing, acrobatics and cultural performances, while Foday & The Culture Keepers will present traditional West African music and dance led by master griot musician and choreographer Foday Camara.
The festival is easily accessible from Melbourne by train, with Hargreaves Mall just a short walk from Bendigo Station, making it an easy winter day trip for families and culture lovers.
