Bendigo Art Gallery's $45 Million Redevelopment Advances Amid Thriving Arts Scene

Bendigo Art Gallery is advancing a $45 million Stage One redevelopment in 2026 while View Street hosts live music activations on its steps until November.

The city remains regional Victoria’s premier arts and cultural destination, with major venues including Ulumbarra Theatre, The Capital and Bendigo Art Gallery drawing audiences year-round. The redevelopment has shifted some programming to partner sites and street-level displays, yet core offerings stay accessible without interruption.

Current exhibitions draw crowds to View Street

The Eat.Drink.Art. program places original artworks from 40 artists inside local businesses along View Street through August 3, 2026. At the same time the gallery presents ‘CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks’ and the exhibition ‘Nasho ‘57: 98 Days at Pucka’ by Robert Lennox Suggett continues at partner locations.

These displays keep foot traffic moving through the precinct even as construction proceeds on the main building. Visitors can combine gallery-adjacent shows with meals at participating venues without needing to enter the closed sections of the gallery itself.

Ulumbarra Theatre hosts headline comedy and music dates

Jim Jefferies brings his ‘Son of a Carpenter’ tour to Ulumbarra Theatre for performances scheduled across July and August 2026. Postmodern Jukebox appeared at the same venue on June 27 as part of the current season.

The theatre’s nearly 1,000-seat capacity and central location make it the primary indoor stage while outdoor steps on View Street add free live-music sessions. Audiences seeking tickets are directed to venue websites listed on bendigoregion.com.au for remaining July and August dates.

Residents and visitors can check the City of Greater Bendigo events calendar or the Bendigo Region site for updated schedules and any additional street activations that run through November. No further ticketed events are announced beyond the listed July-August comedy run at this time.