Pride Festival returns with packed-out program

PREPARATIONS are ramping up for the Bendigo Pride Festival 2025 – and with a new director at the helm, this year’s version promises a program with something for everyone.

Billed as a community-initiated and run event that celebrates, explores and promotes LGBTIQA+ communities and people, the festival will include theatre, music, art, performance, exhibitions and community meet-up events.

Director Em Ireland was appointed to the role in September last year and has previously worked with other major festivals around the country.

She said while the Pride team has been working hard behind the scenes to get ready, “it takes a village to raise a festival.”

“There’s no point in me saying, ‘here you go, book it and they will come’,” she said.

“Everyone’s got to own it or it doesn’t exist, so the fact that there is a Bendigo Pride Festival shows community is behind it.

“I’ve really found that in putting this on wheels, everyone has come on board.”

She said this year’s festival has been designed to appeal to more of a multi-generational audience.

“Not everybody wants to party,” she said.

“Some people just want to walk their dogs around the lake together, or meet by the coffee van, or see a show, or go to the gallery, so the more diverse our festival is, the more we allow ways in for people.”

Ms Ireland encouraged all Bendigonians to get involved.

“I think it’s important to show that you support your rainbow community, and I think more than ever, being an ally is really important,” she said.

“We all deserve a moment to celebrate together, to share that incredible space of rainbow community with everybody else.”

Bendigo Pride Festival 2025 runs from Thursday 27 March to Sunday 30 March.

For the full program, visit bendigopridefestival.com.au/events .