July 27th, 2026Music with Darren Lowe
Bendigo will come alive with music, food, dance and culture when the inaugural Bendigo African Festival brings a free community celebration to Hargreaves Mall on Saturday, August 1 from 10am to 8pm.
Presented by the African Music and Cultural Festival, Australia’s largest African festival held at Melbourne’s Federation 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.
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.
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 South African Cuisine, Malewa City Bar & Food and more.
Program highlights
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.
