Nineteen arts projects will feature around the city between August 29 and 31 before Enlighten merges with White Night on September 1.

Enlighten’s program highlights include a virtual reality experience, a pop up sculpture and a live performance by Jida Gulpilil on the steps of the Bendigo Town Hall.

Digital canvases will also pop up in hidden spaces around the city centre with the opening event – Faces of YAPENYA, Paint Up – seeing Dja Dja Wurrung faces projected on the conservatory building..

It is the second time Enlighten has featured in the city after it’s debut in 2016.

City of Greater Bendigo projection festival officer Molly Braddon said this year’s event would be different to the previous year.

“In 2016, it was more of a community development project but this year it has broadened out,” she said.

“Last time was more of a pilot and this time it’s more of a festival with multiple days, funding from Creative Victoria and is part of the Regional Centre for Culture.”

“It is exciting to see how much the community has wanted to be involved.”

Ms Braddon said Jida Gulpilil would be a really special start to the festival.

“His live performance at on the steps of Bendigo Town Hall and the indigenous welcome at the Conservatory Gardens will be highlights.

“Jida is a local Indigenous man who is an artist, a musician and all around creative guy. He has composed a piece of music to accompany the video work projected created by Tashara Roberts.”

Ms Braddon said every one of the 19 projects featuring in Enlighten had a local connection to the Bendigo region.

“It was important to have that connection and provide an opportunity for local artists,” she said.

“As part of the whole build up to Enlighten, we have offered mentorship and skills development to artists.

“Some of our artists and works will also feature in White Night, so Enlighten is a cool way to get the buzz happening ahead of the big bang that White Night will be.”

Enlighten is from August 29 to 31. White Night is on September 1.