West Melbourne will host two days of Durga Puja, cultural performances and community activities in October, with Bongosathi, the Bengali Cultural Association Inc., preparing an expanded programme for this year’s Durga Utsav.
The event will take place on Saturday, 10 October and Sunday, 11 October 2026, at Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing. Entry is free, although organisers say registration is mandatory and access will be restricted to registered attendees.
Bongosathi says more than 225 performers took part in last year’s programme, and the 2026 event will feature a larger line-up of performances involving community groups, children, teenagers and local artists.
The cultural programme will include group dances, group songs, live bands, children’s and teens’ performances, and community cultural presentations. The organisers are presenting the programme as an opportunity for families and friends to take part in the festivities while experiencing Bengali cultural traditions in a community setting.
The two-day schedule will combine religious observances with cultural activities.
Saturday’s programme will include Puja, Saptami and Ashtami observances, Pushpanjali, cultural performances and lunch. Sunday will feature Navami Puja and Havan, Pushpanjali, further cultural performances, lunch, followed by Sindoor Khela and Dhunuchi Naach.
Durga Puja is traditionally observed over several days and brings together religious rituals, cultural performances, food and community gatherings. For Bengali communities living outside India, events such as these can also provide an opportunity for families and younger generations to participate in cultural practices and celebrations.
The organisers have placed particular emphasis on the range of performers involved this year, with group performances and live music forming a large part of the cultural programme.
Bongosathi is encouraging families and friends from across Melbourne to attend, while keeping the event open to the wider community. The association says the programme is intended to bring together different generations through music, dance, performances and the shared celebration of Durga Puja.
The event is supported by Wyndham City and will be held at the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing.
Although entry is free, attendees must register before arriving. Organisers have advised visitors to scan the QR code provided on the event poster or register through Eventbrite. Those without registration will not be permitted entry.
The West Melbourne Durga Utsav 2026 will run across Saturday, 10 October and Sunday, 11 October, giving visitors the chance to attend the Puja ceremonies as well as the cultural programme planned across both days.
For Bongosathi, the event brings together religious observance and community participation, with this year’s expanded programme building on the number of performers who took part in 2025.
The association is inviting the wider community to attend the free event and take part in the two-day celebration at Hoppers Crossing.
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