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The City of Greater Bendigo is determined to present an Easter event in 2021 but is unable to say what shape it will take.
Council major events and tourism manager Terry Karamaloudis said the uncertainty around what restrictions would be in place next April was affecting plans.
"We are absolutely committed to presenting an event at Easter time for our community," he said.
"Our first preference and a lot of our planning is around delivering the event as we have always known it.
"There's still a strong likelihood that will take place but we are preparing for different levels and scenarios because whatever restrictions are in place, we are going to have to be faithful and adhere to those.
"We know there will be an event (at Easter) but the final format remains undecided."
Mr Karamaloudis said a number of different scenarios are being planned based around potential state government coronavirus restrictions.
"We hope to make more announcements on what it may look like later in the year or in early 2021," he said. "There will be an event. We're just not in a position to say exactly what it will look like.
Our first scenario is a full festival and then there are scaled down scenarios. It's a moving target depending on level of restrictions the state government will have imposed.
"It makes it hard to prepare but we feel (planning different scenarios) is a far better option than saying nothing is happening at Easter. That would be a real tragedy."
Planning for a community Easter event has proceeded with some elements of the festival in place.
"Elements of the event are locked in place," Mr Karamaloudis said. "Entertainment is being sorted, food vendors are sorted and we are working closely with Rotary clubs, the Bendigo Easter Fair Society and Bendigo Chinese Association.
"Everyone is doing their best with the knowledge of restrictions to put best show we can for the Easter Festival (next year)."
Earlier
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of some festive events this year, but the City of Greater Bendigo has confirmed planning is under way for the 2021 Bendigo Easter Festival.
The annual community Christmas lunch at the All Seasons will not go ahead, nor will the New Year's Eve fireworks.
A Christmas tree will still adorn Rosalind Park's piazza but there will not be a light-up event - instead, after the lights are turned on at the end of November, residents will be encouraged to enjoy the display in their own time with an evening walk or picnic.
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"Unfortunately, the Christmas community lunch on Christmas Day and the New Year's Eve fireworks will not go ahead this year so as we can keep our community COVID-safe and well," tourism and major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said.
"I know these are very popular events for our community and visitors to enjoy and I do understand that people will be disappointed with this announcement.
"But we feel this is the right decision to avoid large, compact crowds gathering together, particularly as restrictions are only just being lifted and we are at a critical stage in keeping our community safe and retaining low cases in Greater Bendigo and across the state."
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Meanwhile, the council has confirmed it is working with the Bendigo Easter Fair Society on the Easter Festival and is in discussions with food vendors, entertainment providers, Rotary and the Showmen's Guild.
This year's festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis.
"I must stress that we are in the very early stages of preparations because we know that such an event will have to be carefully planned so the community is safe," Mr Karamaloudis said.
"We are working on various scenarios and seeking advice from the state government on how we can deliver a COVID-safe Easter event."
Announcements on how the festival will look will be made next year.
