ABOVE: Traditional and contemporary dance, mask dance performances, stilt walkers, acrobatics and more will be on the stage. INSET: The program will run for 10 hours and offers something for the whole family to enjoy. Photos: African Music and Cultural Festival.
BENDIGO will come alive with music, food, dance and culture when the inaugural Bendigo African Festival (BAF) brings a free community celebration to Hargreaves Mall on Saturday 1 August 2026, from 10am to 8pm.
Presented by the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF), Australia’s largest African festival held at Melbourne’s Fed Square every November, BAF marks AMCF’s first regional Victorian event.
The festival will transform the heart of Bendigo into a vibrant celebration of African food, music, dance, storytelling, fashion and community connection, while helping activate the city centre and support Bendigo’s day and night-time economy.
AMCF acknowledges and thanks the City of Greater Bendigo for its support in helping bring the inaugural Bendigo African Festival to life. Its commitment to community, cultural participation and city-centre activation has helped create an opportunity for African-Australian communities and the wider Bendigo community to come together in a shared public celebration.
A key local addition to the program is Ras Ato, a Ghanaian-born chef, author, reggae musician and cultural figure based in Bendigo. Known across the region for promoting West African cuisine, storytelling, music and community connection, Ras Ato has worked closely with local libraries, foodshare programs and community organisations.
At BAF, he will curate the African Story Village, deliver an African food demonstration, and present a traditional African fashion parade involving Bendigo African communities. His involvement gives the festival a strong local foundation and reflects BAF’s focus on belonging, heritage and wellbeing.
Food, culture and community impact
Visitors will be able to experience food traditions from many African countries in one place, with stalls including Tastes of Senegal, AMA’s Delight, Zuya African BBQ, Shisanyama <a href="https://absafricatv.com/south-africa-honors-jayden-adams-after-his-tragic-death-following-playing-in-the-world-cup-with-the-bafana-bafana/" title="<a href="https://absafricatv.com/south-africa-explores-science-and-innovation-collaboration-opportunities-during-china-visit/" title="South Africa explores science and innovation collaboration opportunities during China visit”>South Africa Honors Jayden Adams After His Tragic Death Following Playing in the World Cup With the Bafana Bafana”>South African Cuisine, Malewa City Bar & Food and more.
The food program adds to Bendigo’s identity as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, while encouraging visitors from Melbourne and surrounding regional areas to support local hospitality, retail and transport.
The festival is easily accessible by train, with visitors from across Victoria able to take advantage of the state government’s half-price public transport fares until 1 January 2027 and Hargreaves Mall located approximately a five-to-seven-minute walk south-east of Bendigo Station.
Beyond its economic impact, BAF will create a welcoming public space for cultural connection, wellbeing and shared celebration. For African-Australian communities, it offers a visible platform to celebrate identity, heritage and contribution.
The free, family-friendly 10-hour program will feature live African drumming, traditional and contemporary dance, mask dance performances, stilt walkers, acrobatics, juggling, storytelling, fashion showcases, children’s face painting, market stalls and interactive workshops.
A major highlight will be international ensemble Sun of Africa, presenting high-energy African drumming, mask dance, acrobatics and interactive cultural performance. Audiences can also experience Foday & The Culture Keepers, a traditional West African cultural ensemble led by master griot musician and choreographer Foday Camara.
“Now more than ever, people deserve more free stuff to do together in the city,” Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan recently said.
BAF answers that call by bringing a major free cultural experience to regional Victoria, one that promotes cultural awareness, harmony, tolerance and understanding while supporting community cohesion and cross-cultural connection.
AMCF chair Fred Alale said the organisation is proud to bring its first regional festival to Bendigo. “We are proud to bring AMCF’s first regional festival to Bendigo as a free celebration of culture, community and connection,” he said.
“Our hope is for the Bendigo African Festival to become a much-loved annual event that supports local businesses, artists, families and the wider community.”
AMCF recognises and thanks our major sponsors and supporters: Victorian government, Australian government, City of Melbourne, Department of Education, NAB, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (TAFE Victoria), Victoria Police, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Fed Square, MasterRemit, Slater and Gordon, and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).
Location: Hargreaves Mall, Bendigo
