Enjoy an exciting calendar of free activities in Hargreaves Mall to entertain families during the summer holiday season kicking off with plenty of festive fun.
Straight from the North Pole, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Pals will present a Reindeer Show on Saturday December 16 and Saturday December 23 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Children of all ages will love the interactive musical activities from Scott’s Mascots captivating the journey of Santa’s reindeer as they prepare for their important Christmas Eve flight. There is also a magical photo opportunity for families with the reindeer and their sleigh.
The mischievous Christmas Elves from Connected Circus will be in Hargreaves Mall from Wednesday December 20 to Friday December 22, 11am to 2pm. The elves in the workshop will be busy painting faces, playing games, and wrapping presents.
Families can get creative with Sarah The Painter who will be hosting a Christmas Colouring and Live Art Demo suitable for children of all ages on December 18 and December 19 from 11am to 2pm.
Music in the Mall over the next three months will showcase a variety of talented local artists including Charlie Bedford, Steph Bitter, Louise MacGregor, Mia Mazzarella, Jared Healy, Tarah Frawley, Andrew Farrell, Luke Harrington, Adelle David, Luke Warm, Lloyd Dodsworth, The Tipsy Trio and more.
Christmas movies on the big screen will be happening in the lead up to Christmas:
- Santa Claus The Movie, Monday December 18 at 2pm
- The Year Without A Santa Claus, Tuesday December 19 at 2pm
- The Grinch, Wednesday December 20 at 2pm
- The Polar Express, Thursday December 21 at 2pm
- Elf, Friday December 22 at 2pm
The Moonlight Market will present its last market for the year on Saturday December 9, 3pm to 8pm and will return in 2024 on Saturday January 27, 3pm to 8pm.
Activities in Hargreaves Mall continue during January with more coming in February:
- Circus fun and face painting with Connected Circus on January 10, 11am to 2pm
- Safe Archery with The Zone on Friday January 12, 11am to 2pm
- Circus fun and face painting with Connected Circus on January 17, 11am to 2pm
- Slot Car Racing with The Zone on Friday January 19, 11am to 2pm
- Roller Disco with Dragon City Roller Derby on Saturday January 20, 2024, 5.30pm to 8pm
- Circus fun and face painting with Connected Circus on January 24, 11am to 2pm
- Zorb Ball with The Zone on Thursday January 25, 11am to 2pm
- International LEGO Day pop up exhibition and build with the Bendigo LEGO User Group on Sunday January 28, 10am to 4pm
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said there was something for children of all ages.
“Families will have a great time at these fantastic free events,” Cr Metcalf said.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from families who have really enjoyed our school holiday activities in Hargreaves Mall, and we’ve experienced strong turn outs for events.
“With a variety of fun activities during the holiday season, we’ve got lots of ways to entertain families so please visit our Explore Bendigo website so you can plan.
“Perhaps combine some family fun in the Mall with some Christmas shopping in the city centre.
“This is a great opportunity to support our local businesses where your Christmas dollars are going back into supporting the local community this festive season.”
The school holiday calendar of events is part of the City’s Hargreaves Mall Action Plan 2023-2026 (to replace the Transforming the City Centre Action Plan, first adopted in 2018). The plan provides a three-year timeframe to increase visitation and drive business development in the city centre.
Please be aware that planned activations are subject to weather conditions and may be cancelled at short notice.