White Night Is Bringing a Dazzling After-Dark Arts Program to Bendigo and Geelong This Spring

Melbourne's edition of nocturnal arts celebration White Night might have switched off its last light projection back in 2019, but we haven't quite seen the back of it just yet. The fun is set to continue in regional Victoria, with organisers revealing two hefty programs to mark White Night's return to Bendigo and Geelong this spring.

Last gracing the two regional centres in 2018, the festival's 2022 instalment will descend on Bendigo on Saturday, September 3, before heading to Geelong on Saturday, October 8. And it's set to be bigger than ever before, playing to each city's unique persona with a grand lineup of installations, projections, music and food.

The Electric Canvas

So just what's in store for White Night-ers as this year's festival responds to the theme 'Everything on the Land Is Reflected in the Sky'? Well, both fests are set to kick off with a Welcome to Country ceremony led by traditional owners, before a giant celebration of the arts parties through the night until 1am.

Bendigo's Gold Rush-era buildings will be decked out with vibrant projections courtesy of The Electric Canvas, featuring artwork by First Nations artists Troy Firebrace and Natasha Carter; while a shimmering, 10-metre-long lion-like puppet wanders the streets, paying homage to the city's Chinese legacy.

Leading drag performers will be strutting their stuff aboard The Cabaret Tram, a nine-metre-high unicorn head is set to flash in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and a plethora of neon works will include a group of luminous dogs playing fetch in Rosalind Park.

The Cabaret Tram

The evening's soundtrack is set to serve something for every palate, too; from DJ sets by Andy Trieu, to a lineup of local acts playing on the back of a vintage Dodge for the Homegrown Stage.

Geelong's White Night offering is no less bold, as you'll agree once you see JOFMAKESART's striking performance work, which sees a car slowly crushed to oblivion, its demise soundtracked by two guitar-thrashing rock musicians.

First Nations artists including Kait James, Billy-Jay O'Toole and Jenna Oldaker will illuminate Johnstone Park with their projection art, while a school of neon sea creatures are set to descend on the Geelong foreshore.

The Homegrown Stage

A sea of handcrafted flowers will take over Steampacket Gardens with a cacophony of sighs and yawns; First People's connection to the land and night sky is being captured in a City Hall projection by Matt Bonner; and a swag of performers will be popping up along Western Beach Road throughout the night.

As in Bendigo, the tunes will be flowing, ranging from local talent playing beneath the stars, to top Aussie drag acts taking the stage for Drag City.

Catch White Night Bendigo from 7pm–1am on September 3, and White Night Geelong from 7pm–1am on October 8. For full programs, see the website.