Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements confirmed the cancellation in a short statement on Thursday afternoon.

More news: Delecca's Bendigo closes after listed as COVID-19 exposure site

Mr McClements said the decision provided certainty to artists, suppliers and the community - and reinforces Visit Victoria's commitment to these premier public events.

Bendigo Motels Association president Kristyn Slattery said the decision was disheartening to the tourism and hospitality sector.

"It was hugely disappointing," she said.

"It wasn't a surprise given the current climate but it's definitely another hit... It just feels like a kick in the guts but we fully understand and get the decision."

Ms Slattery said with no future date announced, it was difficult to see it going ahead.

"This is once again postponed and there is no doubt there will be more events like this to come," she said.

"I am confident that it will come back again but that will most likely be in 2022 and it will be the third time lucky."

City of Greater Bendigo's tourism and major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said although it was a disappointing situation, council supported the decision made by the state government.

"This is the interest of public health which always has to be the priority and the upside is that it's a reschedule that we are working on," he said.

Other news: Dja Dja Wurrung elder Dr Wayne Atkinson says truth-telling process has begun

Mr Karamaloudis said the event would still take place however a date was not yet identified.

"The event will take place but the original preferred date of October won't be happening because of the coronavirus restrictions," he said.

"I think anyone would support that public health does have to come first and we certainly don't want to be in the situation where we are hosting a super spreader event.

"The current Delta variant is very concerning to the health authorities and we agree and support the decision and we are now working with the state and events calendar to identify the best possible date when we can run it.

"This is not dead, buried and never coming back. White Night will be rescheduled and given the nature of the event it will require darkness so the illuminations will be at their best, so it would probably be looking at that autumn and early winter period."

More news: Community corrections order for Bendigo aggravated carjacker

Mr Karamaloudis said now more than ever, it was important for people to shop local.

"Our business community is struggling, we encourage people to move away to supporting online shopping platforms outside of Bendigo," he said.

"We want people to support local businesses and when things like White Night do get rescheduled, they are all critical and major events for our city that help sustain the business community.

"We need business to survive and the best way to do that is to support them."

White Night Bendigo had been scheduled to take place on October 2.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: