Pinocchio to Pedalling: Your Guide to Stage Shows in Regional Victoria this January

Sporting heroes are celebrated, circus comes to life, and comedy legends tell their story on the stage this month.

From timeless tales to bold contemporary works, regional Victoria’s stages are lighting up this January with performances that invite you to lean in, laugh out loud and see the world a little differently. Whether it’s family-friendly theatre, inventive new music, or intimate live storytelling in heritage venues, this month’s program proves you do not have to head to the city for standout stage experiences. From Pinocchio to pedal-powered performance, here’s your guide to the must-see shows bringing big ideas and unforgettable moments to regional stages this summer.

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

CADEL: Lungs on Legs

WHEN: FRI 30 JAN

WHERE: GEELONG ARTS CENTRE, GEELONG 

CADEL: Lungs on Legs charts the extraordinary rise of Cadel Evans, the first and only Australian to win the Tour de France. Following a sold-out, award-winning run at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, Connor Delves returns with a dynamic solo performance that places audiences inside the peloton. Pedalling live on Evans’ original bike, Delves delivers a gripping, high-energy tribute to endurance, ambition and the indomitable spirit of Australian sport.

 

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Cirque Nouvelle – A New Evolution of Circus

WHEN: SUN 25 JAN

WHERE: ULUMBARRA THEATRE, BENDIGO

After sell-out shows across Australia, this internationally acclaimed cast returns with a fresh, dynamic production. Featuring world-class acrobats, jugglers, aerialists and balance artists, Cirque Nouvelle blends exceptional skill with a quirky ringmaster confronting a universal fear: change. The show explores the evolution of circus—from traditional Big Top spectacles with performing animals to today’s high-tech, theatre-based performances—celebrating the tension between old and new in a dazzling contemporary experience.

 

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Digital Echoes

WHEN: SAT 31 JAN

WHERE: HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE, BALLARAT

Digital Echoes is a concert for viola, percussion and electronics that explores how sound and meaning shift across time and distance. Viola fragments are streamed to five locations around Australia, then returned to activate percussion instruments and merge with live performance. As these echoes travel unpredictably, they map invisible digital pathways. Created by Aaron Wyatt and Speak Percussion, the work reflects on translation, communication and technology through an immersive contemporary score.

 

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Dolly Forever: A Theatrical Tribute to Dolly Parton

WHEN: FRI 16 JAN

WHERE: LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL

Dolly Forever celebrates Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday with a sparkling theatrical tribute led by seasoned performer Joanne Caligiuri. Bringing warmth, humour and Dolly’s unmistakable spirit to the stage, the show honours her iconic career with heartfelt storytelling and unforgettable music. Audiences can expect sing-along favourites like ‘Jolene’, ‘9 to 5’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’, alongside uplifting reflections on Dolly’s life, legacy and enduring place in country music history.

 

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Pinocchio

WHEN: 6 – 10 JAN

WHERE: QUEENSCLIFF COMMUNITY HALL, QUEENSCLIFF

Queenscliff Lighthouse Theatre Group presents Pinocchio in its new home at Queenscliff Community Hall from 6–10 January 2026. Directed by Debbie Fraser with music by Jess Dolley, this magical production follows Pinocchio’s quest to become a real boy. Guided by the Blue Fairy, he faces temptations, tricks and adventures—from the theatre stage to encounters with a cunning fox and cat—learning valuable lessons as he journeys to reunite with Geppetto.

 

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Anh Do – The Happiest Refugee Live

WHEN: THU 5 FEB

WHERE: RIVERLINKS EASTBANK, SHEPPARTON

Back by popular demand, Anh Do returns with his smash-hit stage adaptation of The Happiest Refugee. Combining stand-up comedy with personal stories, photos and film, Anh brings his bestselling memoir to life with warmth, humour and heart. Praised by readers and admired by Russell Crowe, the story becomes even more powerful on stage. The result is an uplifting, unforgettable night of theatre from one of Australia’s most beloved performers.

 

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All of this and more are happening across regional Victoria this month. Check each theatre’s website for ticketing and information.