Fiesta Bendigo celebrates new Frida Kahlo exhibition

Bendigo is coming to life with a four-month long Fiesta Bendigo in celebration of the Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition starting 15 March.

Central Victoria’s regional city comes alive with both Mexican and Frida-inspired experiences and events all throughout Bendigo and surrounds with the exhibition opening on 15 March to 13 July 2025 – encouraging visitors to the goldfields town to “Come to Frida and Stay for the Fiesta”!

Frida Kahlo: In her own image presents an intimate view of one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. This exclusive exhibition features Kahlo’s personal belongings, clothing, make-up, accessories, and medical items, on loan from the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico for the first time in Australia.

The Exhibition illuminates the resonant dialogues between Kahlo’s clothing and styling, her performance in photography, and her drawing and painting, including her iconic self-portraits.

Sealed in a bathroom for 50 years after Kahlo’s death, in her cherished family home, La Casa Azul, this precious collection’s rediscovery sheds new light on Kahlo’s carefully crafted appearance. In her vibrant clothing, dramatic use of make-up and adornment, and richly decorated medical protheses, Kahlo constructed a captivating public image which addressed geopolitical issues of her time, cultural and social identity, and her own body.

“Come for Frida and Stay for the Fiesta”

Fiesta Bendigo explodes in colour like a timeless Frida Kahlo artwork with multiple murals and colourful installations around the CBD, including the famous Bendigo sign in Rosalind Park – as well as a new installation “VIVA”, inspired by the artist’s last painting “Viva La Vida”.

Bendigo businesses will be adorned with festive bunting to add to the Fiesta. A special new Taco Trail will be introduced during the Fiesta, celebrating the famous food fare of Frida’s native Mexico.

Travellers should get ready to spice up their taste buds with Bendigo’s new Taco Trail – a delicious journey across Bendigo to find the best taco in town. From sizzling meats to zesty vegan delights more than 20 local Bendigo venues are serving up their most creative and mouthwatering tacos for the public to taste and vote on. Visitors to Bendigo who test out the Taco Trail when visiting participating local eateries can vote for their favourite taco and go into the draw to win a VIP Weekend for two in Bendigo valued at over $1,000.

Even Bendigo’s newest venue – Bendigo Brewing is creating a taco woodfire pizza and Cornella Brewery has created a dedicated new fiesta beer – Rancho Cerveza Mexican Lager, in honour of the four-month long Bendigo Art Gallery Exhibition.

There are more than 70 events and experiences as part of the Fiesta Bendigo program. Major events to be held as part of Fiesta Bendigo over the four-month long Fiesta Bendigo include:

• Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Fiesta – 14 to 16 March
  The 52nd Dahlia and Arts Festival is set to be a vibrant celebration, blending the beauty of stunning dahlias with the creativity of local art, a gala parade and more.
• Blue Agave Spirit (Tequila Maker) Sessions – 15 March to July 13
  Take part in distilling a batch of Blue Agave Spirit with Domaine Asmara’s very own distiller Andreas and then taste the full spirit range plus their whiskey straight from the cask, whilst enjoying a charcuterie board.
• Latidos de Mexico: Mexican Art Today – 15 March to 13 July
  An exhibition that showcases the recent works of artists Deniol Alva, Ulysses and Lizette Vieyra. Featuring paintings, wall-hangings, photographs, and sculptures.
• Bendigo Latin Festival – 22 March
  Free festival bringing the vibrant sport of Latin America to Bendigo – through lively music, captivating dance performance, interactive dance workshops, delicious food, festive pinatatas and a market.
• Viva Frida Fiesta at Omari Bendigo – 24 March
  A vibrant night of colour, lively music and authentic Mexican flavors – with a three-course Mexican feast, live mariachi band and sangria.
• Mexican Cooking Classes – 30 March, 27 April, 25 May, 29 June
  Old Church on the Hill. Throughout the four-month Fiesta Bendigo – the Old Church on the Hill is holding monthly Mexican cooking classes, with the two-hour classes led by Rosita who came to Australia from Mexico at the age of four – and shares secrets of real Mexican flavours, cooking techniques and ingredients passed down by her mother and grandmother.
• Floral Headpiece Workshop at Omari Bendigo – 29 March
  Celebrate the vibrant legacy of Frida Kahlo an artist who transformed pain into beauty and expressed her individuality with her bold famous floral headdresses.

Bendigo also comes alive with the Fiesta Bendigo Street Party where Hargreaves Mall transforms into a Mexican Fiesta Street Party on Saturday 2 May 2025. Celebrating the music, food, culture, fashion and dance of Mexico – it’s a fun day out for the whole family. There will be fun, free activities for the kids, pinatas, facepainting and craft workshops. Grab a bite at one of the food stalls and peruse the market stalls for a piece of Mexico to take home with you and includes performances on the stage by The Mexican Music Man, Mexbourne Dance Company.