It’s that time of year, when Bendigo Art Gallery unveils its blockbuster exhibition. From now until July 13 fans of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo are in for a treat.

Taking a different approach to telling the story of one of the most influential artists of the 20^th century, the Frida Kahlo: In her own image uses artefacts, photographs and documents to explore her work and the artist’s life.

Many of the items are on display for the first time in Australia. Photo: Bendigo Tourism

Sealed in a bathroom at her family home for 50 years, her make-up, clothing, accessories, medical items and personal belongings are on display in Australia for the first time, in a Bendigo exclusive.

The show was conceived and curated by Circe Henestrosa, fashion curator and head of the School of Fashion at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore.

Come for the exhibition, but stay for the Fiesta, a celebration of Kahlo and Mexico taking place at restaurants, galleries and public places across the region for the duration of the exhibition. If you’re not a Kahlo fan, you’ll leave one. And even if you don’t, you’ll still find something fabulous to do, see or eat.

For foodies

The Taco Trail: Local restaurants and cafes throughout the region are serving up their most creative and tempting versions of the ubiquitous Mexican snack.

Of course, local Mexican restaurant Cantina Mexicana is on board, with a beef brisket taco, but so is the likes of Bendigo’s Emperor’s Dragon Restaurant with its Chinese-Mexican fusion dragon taco along with Castlemaine’s Icecream Republic with a chocolate tortilla taco. In all there’s 23 tacos to try.

Vote for your favourite for a chance to win a $1000 VIP Bendigo weekend away for two.

Enjoy a Mexican-inspired four-course meal with paired cocktails. Photo: Bendigo Tourism

Fine dining and fusion: Woodfire specialist Woodhouse is offering a Mexican inspired menu throughout the exhibition, with dishes including woodfired WA octopus with chorizo, guindilas and piperade sauce and drinks including mango mezcal margaritas.

On Monday, May 5, Ms Batterhams is joining with Movida’s Tres a Cinco to host a Mexican-inspired four-course meal with paired cocktails. Expect king fish aguachile ceviche and empanada chicken chocolate mole with the likes of toasted coconut margarita.

Omari Bendigo’s Viva Frida Fiesta on Saturday, May 24 starts with a complimentary sangria then progresses through a three-course shared feast with dishes inspired by Frida Kahlo’s family cookbook.

Sweet treats: Come and grab a bag of Bendigo Brittle’s chili peanut brittle, mild or hot, at stores throughout Bendigo.

Mexican booze: Take part in a tequila distilling session to help make a batch of Blue Agave Spirit at Domaine Asmara cellar door and distillery on Saturdays from 11am to 1pm throughout the exhibition.

At Black Swan join a masterclass on pisco and tequila on Friday, May 2 from 6pm to 9pm. Head to Alium and sample their specially curated cocktail menu based around the Australian-owned Tromba Tequila including raspberry margarita and a spiced pear tequila cocktail. Alium is also serving Desperados, the world’s first tequila-flavoured beer. Cornella Brewery at Shiraz Republic is serving Rancho Cerveza Mexican Lager throughout the Fiesta.

Mexican cooking class: Learn to create the flavours of Mexico in your own kitchen then feast on your efforts together with a cooking class at Old Church on the Hill on various dates. At the same venue you can also partake in a traditional Mexican breakfast of mollette and coffee.

Celebrate the Fiesta on the iconic Bendigo tram. Photo: Bendigo Tourism

For art afficionados

Art on the move: The iconic Bendigo tram has been dressed in its finest florals for the Fiesta. Hop on board to admire the fit-out while enjoying croissants, focaccias, sweet treats and coffee.

Street art: Take a stroll down Chancery Lane (renamed El Callejon Azul for the Fiesta) and check out the vibrant new street art mural by Louise Davis, Tomi McManus and Wes Franklin. Plus keep an eye out for the Bendigo yarn bombers’ latest work, in Hargreaves Mall, and new installation, Love in Neon, at Bendigo railway station.

Eat.Drink.Art Trail: While the main game might be in the Bendigo Art Gallery, various cafes, restaurants, wineries and galleries are hosting local artists and works which complement the Fiesta until Monday, May 12. Follow the interactive map and enjoy snacks and drinks along the way.

Modern Mexico: The Latidos de Mexico exhibition explores the modern Mexican art scene. It’s on at Omari Bendigo from Tuesdays to Sundays from 8am to 3pm during the Fiesta.

Photography: The Spirit of Tehuana exhibition at Valentine’s Antique Gallery features the work of various local photographers.

Sip on sangria whilst creating a fresh floral headpiece. Photo: Bendigo Tourism

For fashionistas 

DIY Crowns: Make your own flower crown using preserved and dried flowers at this guided workshop by Marli Kelly while enjoying snacks and sparkling, a perfect friend group activity. It’s on various dates at Mackenzie Quarters.

Or make a floral headpiece while sipping on sangria using fresh flower and foliage at Omari Bendigo with Botanical Lane on Saturday, March 29 from 10am to noon. If you’re looking for something free that kids can join, there’s a floral headpiece making session at Hargreaves Mall on Saturday, April 12 from 11am to 1pm.

DIY Make-up: Unleash your inner Frida with a Kahlo-inspired make-up lesson including lashes and all materials. The sessions run from 11am to noon at Pink Honey, perfectly timed to head to the gallery.

Raceday fun: The Fashions on the Field competition at the Golden Mile Raceday at the Bendigo Jockey Club on Saturday, April 12 will see the most Frida-inspired outfit win.

For music lovers

Bendigo and surrounds will be awash in the sounds of mariachi and Latin music throughout Fiesta. The Groove Tram will become La Musica Tram with Latin artists and tequila. Sin Frontera Band will play free shows at various locations and dates.

The Heathcote Multicultural Fiesta, on Saturday March 29, will feature food and cultural performances. The Mexican Fiesta Spectacular at Hargreaves Mall on April 8, 15 and 22 will offer free school holiday fun featuring Mexican dance performances and a Day of the Dead wandering puppet.

Classical guitarist Raziel Gutierrez Soto will perform at Hargreaves Mall’s Lunchtime James sessions. On the second Thursday of each month DJs from Bendigo Records will play at Hargreaves Mall from 11am to 2pm for Music in the Mall.

Immerse in the Mexican Fiesta with something for everyone of all ages. Photo: Bendigo Tourism

For kids

The Mexican Music Man will be the star of “cushion concerts” for kids at The Capital. Affordable and relaxed, kids can BYO cushion or borrow one at the venue as well as a teddy and a snack and are free to wander or lie down to enjoy the interactive show featuring popular songs kids will love to sing along and dance to.

Mural painting: Join Sarah the Painter to create a huge Frida Kahlo mural by painting a flower that will be added to the artwork on Thursday, April 10 from 11am to 2pm at Hargreaves Mall.

Wandering puppets: On May 17 from noon to 2pm, expect to bump into a walking Dia de los Muertos puppet roaming throughout the Bendigo CBD to honour the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead.

To see a full calendar of Fiesta events, book tickets or plan a trip, visit bendigoregion.com.au/explore-bendigo/fiesta-bendigo