Ballarat Heritage Festival

Home
Australia
Ballarat, VIC
Ballarat Heritage Festival

Returning May 2027 | Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with event information.

29/05/2026

Vote #1 Ballarat as Victoria’s Top Tourism Town!

After winning bronze in 2024 and silver in 2025, we're again in the running for the coveted prize – but we need your help!

Show your love for Ballarat at https://bit.ly/4wXE5Ns and have the chance to win a luxurious Melbourne escape for two

And make sure you also vote for our Pyrenees neighbour Avoca, which is chasing the title of Top Tiny Tourism Town.

Voting closes Friday 26 June at 5pm.

24/05/2026

DAY FOUR

The final day of the festival is here! Your last chance to experience the stories, spaces and traditions that make Ballarat’s heritage so unique.

On today - Sunday 24 May:

🌾 Heritage Harvest Weekend at Sovereign Hill - Experience heritage cooking, traditional trades, local produce, workshops and demonstrations.

🚗 Vintage Car Displays - See historic vehicles and motoring favourites.

🏛 Ballarat Revealed: Hidden Histories, Shared Together - Discover untold stories from Ballarat’s past at the historic Mining Exchange.

🎭 Live music, talks & family activities - Enjoy performances, exhibitions, walking tours and activities happening across Ballarat throughout the day.

And so much more!

📍 Various locations across Ballarat
🎟 Free and ticketed events
🗓️ View the full program > https://bit.ly/4uGw3qk

23/05/2026

DAY THREE

Today is packed with some of the festival’s biggest events, bringing Ballarat’s streets, buildings and stories to life across the city.

On today - Saturday 23 May:

🚂 Steam Train Rides - Step aboard a heritage steam train for a nostalgic journey departing from Ballarat Station.

🚗 Vintage Car Show - Camp Street comes alive with classic vehicles and historic motoring displays celebrating early automotive history.

🧔 Ballarat Beard & Stache Competition - One of the festival’s most iconic events returns to Hop Temple with legendary facial hair, live entertainment and prizes.

🌾 Heritage Harvest Weekend at Sovereign Hill - A celebration of local food, heritage cooking, makers, workshops and live demonstrations inside Sovereign Hill.

And so much more!

📍 Across Ballarat
🎟 Free and ticketed events
🗓️ View the full program > https://bit.ly/4uGw3qk

22/05/2026

Step into a world of timeless treasures at the Ballarat Antique Fair.

From rare collectables and vintage finds to beautifully crafted curiosities, this much-loved fair is a chance to browse, discover and uncover pieces of history you can take home.

Whether you’re a serious collector or simply love the thrill of finding something unique, there’s something waiting to be discovered.

Learn more > https://bit.ly/3P1qkfA

22/05/2026

DAY TWO

The Ballarat Heritage Festival continues today with a full program of immersive exhibitions, tours, talks, and unique local experiences across the city.

On today - Friday 22 May:

🏛 Ballarat Revealed: Hidden Histories, Shared Together - Step inside the historic Mining Exchange and uncover the stories, people and moments that shaped Ballarat.

🧒 Mothers, Minors and Madness: The Hidden Lives of Women and Children on the Goldfields - A fascinating talk exploring the overlooked stories of women and children during the gold rush era.

🍽 Beard & Stache Competition Dinner at Aunty Jacks - An evening of great food, drinks and legendary facial hair ahead of the weekend competition.

🎭 Panic from the Sky: A Call of Cthulhu Adventure - A live immersive theatre experience blending mystery, storytelling and suspense.

And so much more!

📍 Various locations across Ballarat
🎟 Free and ticketed events
🗓️ View the full program > https://bit.ly/4uGw3qk

21/05/2026

Does your dog have a solid beard or some fancy clothes?

To cap off the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the annual Ballarat Beard and Stache Competition, Hop Temple is holding its annual Dog Beard and Stache competition.

There will be two categories:
- Best Dog Beard and/or Stache (first prize $250 Voucher)
- Best Dressed Doggo (first prize $100 Voucher)

So, if your dog has a beard or a bit of creative flare, head to Hop Temple on Sunday 24 May.

Learn more > https://bit.ly/495jNrk

21/05/2026

Unveil the glamour, craftsmanship, and history held deep inside the fashion and textiles collection at Sovereign Hill's Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections.

Discover the makers, innovators, and trendsetters who shaped, defied, and styled fashion through the ages.

Sovereign Hill's Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections is home to an amazing collection that brings together 150,000 objects that tell the stories of this region, and its many diverse people, practices and ideas It’s a place for new ideas and for discovery.

Through unique programs and experiences, the Gold Rush Centre presents stories and objects that connect you to our heritage and culture.

Book now > https://bit.ly/493GCeW

21/05/2026

Roll up your sleeves and experience Ballarat’s history through the smell, taste and craft of baking.

Let it Rise: The History of Baking in Ballarat is a hands-on celebration of bread making, storytelling and tradition.

With live demonstrations, tastings and moments to get involved along the way.

Book now > https://bit.ly/4cFO0zm

21/05/2026

ON TODAY

The Ballarat Heritage Festival starts today, celebrating the people, places and stories that have shaped our city.

From historic buildings and hidden laneways to guided tours, live entertainment, exhibitions and family-friendly fun, there is something for everyone.

View the full program > https://bit.ly/4uGw3qk

20/05/2026

The world is at war. Something ancient is waking.

Panic From the Sky – A Call of Cthulhu Adventure drops you into a thrilling live roleplaying mystery inspired by 1917 Ballarat, where strange events, hidden clues and cosmic horror collide.

Gather your courage, trust no one, and uncover the truth before panic takes hold.

Book now > https://bit.ly/42zL5T6

Address

Ballarat, VIC

Website

http://www.ballaratheritageweekend.com.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ballarat Heritage Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Ballarat Heritage Festival:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Ballarat?