Bendigo Sustainability Festival 2026 invites community to come home

THE Bendigo Sustainability Festival will return on Sunday 29 March, bringing the community together for a vibrant, hopeful and action-focused day under the powerful theme “Home”.

Now an iconic highlight of Bendigo’s annual events calendar, the 2026 festival will celebrate the places, connections and shared stories that shape who we are – and how we can live more sustainably, right where we are.

“Home is more than a roof over our heads,” festival director Ava Parker said.

“It’s the warmth of community, the meals shared, the gardens tended, and the care we show for one another and for the planet. A sustainable future starts at home.”

New leadership at the festival in 2026

Last year the festival called for young people to take leadership roles at the festival. One young local person, Ava Parker, put her hand up to be the director of operations. She did such a great job that BSG offered her a part-time role with the organisation and Ava is now at the helm working with Paul Kooperman as a co-director of the festival – programming, managing stallholders and stakeholders, the whole bit. Ava was also the 2025 recipient of the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Awards in the area of sustainability and the environment. She has also recently been elected as a new youth councillor for Bendigo. Congratulations Ava!

Inspiring speakers, local leaders and changemakers

The 2026 program features a strong lineup of speakers, thinkers and doers from across sustainability, community, food, energy, environment and social change. Festival-goers can expect practical ideas, inspiring stories and local leadership on display throughout the day. The full speaker lineup is available at bsg.org.au/bsf-2026/speakers

A world-record attempt: Bendigo hugs trees

One of the most joyful and memorable moments of the day will be a Tree-Hugging World Record Attempt, inviting hundreds of people to wrap their arms around Bendigo’s trees in a collective show of care for nature.