Xavier Rudd performs at Civic Hall on Sat 14 February.
BEST BALLARAT of
rights
form
EAT & DRINK
Ballaratians are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. You’ll find a strong and vibrant cafe culture just like in the big smoke. Farm-gate to plate doesn’t come any fresher than direct from the heartland of regional Victoria. Gourmet menus matched with boutique local wines can be savoured in intimate restaurants, or sample hand-crafted beer and hearty pub fare in rejuvenated historic venues. Ballarat is a foodie’s delight.
Cubby Haus Brewing
A traditional Spanish tapas bar and restaurant, at Meigas it’s all about sharing and enjoying a different cultural experience, while sampling a variety of traditional dishes from all over Spain. Open Tue – Thu 5pm – late, Fri – Sat 12pm – late. 33 Armstrong St Nth 5331 9444
We're a hand built brewery making great beer! Enjoy our beers on tap in our bar + local wines, cider & spirits. Kitchen always open. Our bar is cosy, relaxed & inclusive. Drop in for a meal or just drinks. See website for details.
884 Humffray St Sth Mt Pleasant 4343 1777 cubbyhausbrewing.com.au
Pic: ChipShots Photography
Saigon Allée
Take yourself back to the balmy nights of Vietnam with the warm environment and infused flavors of Saigon Allee, with a hint of France thrown in to add that extra little flair. Fully Licensed. Check online for our current opening hours.
30 Armstrong St Nth 4373 1583
6 Pancho
A standout Latin Bar and Eatery focusing on dishing up some of the best Central and South American eats coupled with a lively atmosphere and drinks to match. Open Wed 5pm – late, Thu– Sun 11:30am – late.
213 Mair St 5309 3070
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Follow the umbrellas down Hop Lane on Armstrong Street North to discover a place to eat, drink, socialise and explore 200+ craft beers.
Southern American style eats, including in house smoked meats.
Open Wednesday to Sunday
Rear of 24-28 Armstrong Street North Bookings at www.hoptemple.com.au
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In the old Goods Shed by Ballarat’s station tracks, ITINERANT SPIRITS hums with copper stills, clinking glasses, and the low buzz of good company. A distillery at work, a bar worth lingering in, and a room built for stories worth telling. Whether it’s a night out, a private bash, or rolling up your sleeves for a cocktail class or distillery tour. Call it in today!
Bookings: info@itinerantspirits.com | 0497 552 280
RETAIL THERAPY
The shopping hubs of Sturt St and Bridge Mall cater for almost anything you could need, but delve a little further and you’ll find some hidden gems. Ballarat’s shopkeepers bring colour to our streets in the form of beautifully curated spaces. Pay them a visit and find out why residents of our city love to #buylocalballarat.
Darrell Lea Ballarat
The Crafty Squirrel
A must visit when in Ballarat. The Crafty Squirrel stocks unique one-of-a-kind craft kits, vintage goodies, gorgeous haberdashery & treasures from around the world. Open 7 days 27 Nov – 21 Dec. Re-opening 29 Jan: Thu – Fri 10 – 5, Sat 10 – 4. Cnr Errard & Urquhart Sts 5331 4548 thecraftysquirrel.com.au
Hattie and the Wolf
Hattie and the Wolf is Ballarat’s go-to destination for handmade, local, ethical and artisanal gifts, fashion and accessories. A ‘must visit’ creative hub for the social and eco conscious shopper. Open Tue – Fri 10 – 5, Sat 10 – 4, Sun 10 – 3. 202 South St 0478 088 055 hattieandthewolf.com.au
Sweet Fern
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A truly niche fragrance perfumery housing a large collection of the finest perfumes from around world. We love to share our knowledge of fragrance, together with our beautiful ranges of botanical skincare for face & body. Open Thu – Sat 11am – 3pm.
L1, 27 Sturt St (via Go Vita) 5332 9297
sweetfern.com.au
Rocket and Belle
E3
Rocket and Belle sells an eclectic array of antiques, decorative vintage, farm and industrial pieces for your home and garden. Interesting new stock arrives weekly. Open Thu 11 – 2, Fri 11 – 3, Sat 11 – 4.
The Shed on Mair 37 Mair St 0402 032 088 rocketandbelle.com.au
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OPENING HOURS
1Oam-4pm, Dec 3-28
CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE & DAY @ The Unicorn 131 Sturt St , Ballarat www.ballaratclaycollective.com.au
At the historic Adam Lindsay Gordon Cottage the Crafts Council of Ballarat sells a wide variety of quality handcrafted items made by artisans in the Ballarat area. Open Thu –Mon from Sep to Jun, weekends in Jul & Aug.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree 5334 2005 craftscouncilballarat.com.au
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Ross Creek Gallery showcases pottery by Ruby Pilven alongside monthly exhibitions spotlighting diverse contemporary 2D and 3D artists. Open Sat & Sun 11am – 4pm or by appointment. Only 15 mins from Ballarat.
183 Post Office Rd Smythes Creek 0430 886 428 rubypilven.com
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HAVE A WILD TIME
Take a relaxing walk around our picturesque park where you can learn and interact with our extensive collection of Australian native animals and reptiles as well as global and endangered species. Hand feed over 100 free roaming kangaroos, cuddle a koala, see Crunch the Super-Croc, Victoria's largest Komodo Dragon, Tassie devils, snakes, penguins, our Siberian/Sumatran tigers and much more...
OPEN 7 DAYS 9am - 5pm
ATTRACTIONS & TOURS
One of Australia’s best preserved heritage cities, Ballarat will have you intrigued with her grand historic buildings, beautiful gardens and cobbled laneways. Ballarat’s many museums and tours bring history to life, revealing secrets and stories of times past. With so much on offer in Ballarat you may just want to extend your stay!
AURA Sound & Light Spectacular Sovereign Hill
Escapade is a live-action escape experience that will test your mental strength in a fun, exhilarating environment. Pick your team of 2-6 people to escape one of 3 experiences within 60 minutes. Open 7 days - book online. 10% OFF CODE: BESTOFBALLARAT
LEARN
See trams between 100 and 135 years old that ran in Ballarat, Melbourne and Geelong, plus other pieces of tramway equipment and memorabilia. High Tea experience on Cuthberts Vintage Tram. Open Tue 10am3pm, weekends & public hols. 11am - 4pm.
Wendouree Parade 5334 1580
btm.org.au
Ballarat Tramway Museum
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EUREKA CENTRE BALLARAT
Be Active Walk 6km around scenic Lake Wendouree and stroll through the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Swim or Gym at Ballarat Aquatic & Lifestyle Centre. Tackle Black Hill Reserve Mountain Bike Park & Walking Tracks. For the kids there are fun adventure playgrounds at Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park. Explore the historic Old Cemetery with early gold rush graves, Eureka Stockade monuments & Chinese graves.
WHAT'S ON
Our mission is to make sure you never miss an event, and we love seeing visitors share these experiences with the locals. What better way to get under the skin of a city? With festivals, live music, theatre, exhibitions, markets and so much more, Ballarat has it all. Get amongst it!
EXHIBITIONS EXHIBITIONS
UNTIL 6 DEC
EUREKA ART AWARD 2025
A biennial exhibition celebrating the rich depth of past Ballarat Arts Foundation Visual Arts grant recipients. A $2500 cash prize is awarded on the opening night. The $500 People Choice Award is voted by you, the public.
Gallery 10 10 Bridge Mall
UNTIL 7 DEC
PETRA RODGERS:
SONG IN THE WOOD
For Ballarat artist Petra Rodgers, timber has become her chosen material for carrying memories. The drawings, paintings and assemblages explore aspects of her life, ranging from picking cherries as a child to current affections for folk music and textiles.
Backspace Gallery 43 Mair St
UNTIL 9 DEC
MARINA BOOTH: LOVE OF THE SEA
A collection of artworks in different mediums, capturing the most unique and intriguing of water creatures, the octopus.
Unicorn Lane off 133 Sturt St (viewing 24/7)
UNTIL 10 DEC
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
16 Days of Activism is a global campaign highlighting the issue of gender-based violence. It calls communities to action to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. This exhibition showcases artworks of survivors of family and sexual violence.
Art Space Ballarat 14 Lydiard St Nth
UNTIL 13 DEC
COVER VERSIONS ’25
There’s a good chance that many hours of your youth were dedicated to wearing headphones while holding the record or CD covers of the bands and music you loved. Cover Versions
is a group show of artists' re-interpretations of iconic (and obscure) record cover images in a wide variety of media and styles.
Kank Wolverang Records 30 Main Rd
UNTIL 30 JAN
HENRIK HAUKELAND:
TEXT/SCREEN/TEXT
TEXT/SCREEN/TEXT is a work that draws from celluloid archives. By splicing together the title frames from countless films, Haukeland’s work presents a ‘mash-up’ that creates new sentences and meanings from movie titles. Haukeland’s application of cut-ups to moving image works dives deeper into an understanding of cinematic language.
Art Screen - Art Gallery of Ballarat
Alfred Deakin Place (at rear of the Gallery)
UNTIL 22 FEB
A MOMENT IN TIME - BALLARAT
What can you see when time stands still?
See an eclectic mix of art from current members of the Ballarat Society of Artists, as they return to the museum once more with a new display.
Lake Wendouree Museum 27 Wendouree Pde
UNTIL 1 MAR
WITHIN SIGHT: PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL LAMBETH
Observing transient patterns where light, form, and natural processes converge, Lambeth records quiet instances of flux – refraction on wet stone, traces of erosion, the advance of flora. Through this slow, reflective process he has created a highly personal record of visual phenomena, building his own archive of specific sites, usually close to home.
Eureka Centre Ballarat 102 Stawell St Sth 29 NOV - 21 DEC
MEAGHAN SHELTON:
A GLAMOUR OF MEANING
At a time when the allure of artificial intelligence increasingly captivates, multidisciplinary artist Meaghan Shelton reclaims the term ‘glamour’ in its original sense — not merely as visual seduction, but as an enchantment or spell. In this exhibition, the glamour cast by craft and painting is precisely this revivifying act — one that invites reconsideration of the decorative, of what lies beneath, and making as knowing.
Old Butchers Shop Gallery 112 Seymour St
29 NOV - 28 DEC
JACKIE GORRING & MINNA GRAHAM: LIGHT FANDANGO
Jackie’s works are grounded in social fabric and personal narrative, while Minna’s speak to the primal, often chaotic forces that shape our inner lives. Their works offer multiple entry points into reflection—on memory, emotion, nature, and the richness of ordinary and extraordinary moments alike. Opening Sat 29 Nov, 1pm.
Ross Creek Gallery
183 Post Office Rd, Smythes Creek
5 DEC - 17 JAN
TBH; TO BE HONEST; TONI BRITTANY HOLLY
Toni, Brittany and Holly throw their hearts, hands & histories into the same pot. This show is a patchwork of their worlds, honest, messy, versatile & full of love. Consider it an invitation to wander through what happens when three creative minds say yes to each other.
TBH Studio 57 Bridge Mall
8 DEC - 8 MAR
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: LISA NOLAN
Ballarat painter Lisa Nolan is Artist-in-Residence this summer working on a new project creating 100 portrait paintings with local sitters.
Art Hub 10 Lydiard St Nth
12 DEC - 28 JAN
MIKE HEPBURN:
MID-CENTURY MAYHEM
Imaginative digital illustrations in Mid-Century style, showcasing retro sci-fi and horror themes, like UFOs & the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Unicorn Lane off 133 Sturt St (viewing 24/7)
13 DEC - 26 JAN
TAS
WANSBROUGH: FRAGMENTS OF HEALING
Dating back to ancient Greece, votive offerings are objects made & gifted in rituals of healing. In many cultures, people have used votive objects to express hope, seek restoration, or mark a threshold between suffering and relief. Through her sculptures, Tas Wansbrough continues this tradition, inviting viewers to consider how the act of making, rooted in ritual, repetition and intention, can become a tool for resilience.
Backspace Gallery 43 Mair St
High quality soft pastel portraits
Local artist Maggie Dannatt can create a lasting portrait of your beloved pet
19 DEC - 25 JAN
REVERSE BUTCHER: TORN TEXTURES & HYBRID GLYPHS
VISPO, Altered Texts & Altered Realities. Discover Visual Poetry (VISPO), art at the intersection of poetry & visual art, where traditional-digital hybrid creations can be made.
Art Space Ballarat 14 Lydiard St Nth
Tas Wansbrough
Votive offerings (detail) 2025
THE BALLARAT BRANCH OF THE EMBROIDERERS GUILD, VICTORIA PRESENTS
Stitching Fantasy
7,
8, 9 March 2026
Sat & Sun 10am - 4pm Mon 10am - 3pm Entry $7 Adult Ballarat North Sports Club 725 Creswick Road, Ballarat Featuring "A Touch of Sparkle" Member Challenge & Textile Art Sale
3 - 24 JAN
FESTIVAL OF THE OWL
Over 20 artists have created owl inspired art. Opening Sat 3 Jan 1pm, a family friendly day with prizes for the best dressed owl and owl inspired stalls. Owl fancy dress parade at 2:30pm.
Kank Wolverang Records 30 Main Rd
30 JAN - 5 MAR
ERIN DICKINSON: MORPHING
IDENTITIES
A series of ceramic skull sculptures, exploring the continuously evolving nature of identity. Unicorn Lane off 133 Sturt St (viewing 24/7)
30 JAN - 30 MAR
ASTRID MULDER: TALKING LEGS
The video Talking Legs is inspired by the sleek visual language of advertising, but its unusual composition also delves into the surreal. Mulder explores the body’s ability to challenge perceptions and reveal new ways of engaging with the world, using gestures and poses to convey complex emotions and narratives.
Art Screen - Art Gallery of Ballarat
Alfred Deakin Place (at rear of the Gallery)
31 JAN - 28 FEB
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND
New works by Paul Blizzard and Lenny Hyatt. Lenny & Paul have been mates for over 30 years. In this exhibition, Paul's work will be mainly bronze figures of dancers and contortionists. Lenny brings celestial anarchy in autumnal tones with a dogged refusal to stop.
Kank Wolverang Records 30 Main Rd
4 - 28 FEB
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY?
This exhibition aims to highlight the unique intersection of language and visual expression, inviting artists to engage with the power of words in their creative practice. Opening Sat 7 Feb, 2pm. Open Mic night with Megan J Riedl, Fri 27 Feb 6:30pm - you're invited to share original or favourite poems, short stories or songs to share on the mic.
TBH Studio 57 Bridge Mall
What's On? Follow Us!
ART on ALBERT GALLERY
A not-for-profit Gallery in Creswick, run by volunteers, to provide varied spaces for local and regional artists to exhibit and sell their work.
86 ALBERT ST CRESWICK
Thur – Mon 10am to 4pm
Contact & expressions of interest
artonalbert86@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook Art on Albert
7 FEB - 1 MAR
THE PARALLEL PLAYERS: THE ART OF PLAY
Lauren Mathews, Robyn Fisher & Emily Van Der Molen explore play as a human centred survival strategy that protected us in childhood and connects us in adulthood. Through the lens of childhood objects, memories and collaborative mixed media making, this exhibition will disturb and delight in equal measure.
Old Butchers Shop Gallery 112 Seymour St
7 FEB - 5 APR
NEXT GEN 2026
Discover the issues, ideas and causes that are inspiring our next generation of young artists. This annual showcase of VCE artworks gives Gallery visitors insights into the world of young people today by showing extraordinary works which reveal their vision, ideas and skills.
Backspace Gallery 43 Mair St
13 FEB - 10 APR
SCOPE26: VISUAL ARTS LECTURERS
An important Federation University Arts Academy exhibition, SCOPE showcases highly
skilled work created by Visual Art lecturers based at Ballarat campus, who sustain an ongoing rigorous artistic practice across a broad range of disciplines, whilst maintaining their important contribution and professional commitment to art education.
Post Office Gallery Cnr Sturt & Lydiard St Nth
19 FEB - 22 MAR
RECLAMATION
Marce King, Alice Stewart, Rebekah Bailey and Tegan Crosby explore the theme of reclaiming the physical, psychological or spiritual through different mediums and techniques.
Art Space Ballarat 14 Lydiard St Nth
27 FEB - 15 MAR
SHAC ARTWALK 2026
A variety of Soldiers Hill businesses, schools and artist studios will showcase SHAC artworks. Follow the trail of yellow squares and discover the diverse talents of the members of the Soldiers Hill Artist Collective.
Info: shacballarat.org.au
IG: @shacballarat
Facebook: SoldiersHillArtistCollective
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
Open until 7 pm each Thursday in December until Christmas
LIVE MUSIC LIVE MUSIC
CIVIC HALL
300 Mair St • 5333 5888 • hermaj.com
SUN 30 NOV 2pm Vic Opera-The Big Xmas Sing
SAT 14 FEB 7:30pm Xavier Rudd
HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE
17 Lydiard St Sth • 5333 5888 • hermaj.com
WED 3 DEC 7:30pm Perfume Genius
FRI 5 DEC 7:30pm 25th Anniversary Made in Ballarat Concert with David Hobson
SAT 31 JAN Speak Percussion - Digital Echoes
THU 12 FEB 7:30pm Bleak Squad
PIANO BAR BALLARAT
31 Sturt St • 0466 191 919 pianobarballarat.com.au
FRI & SAT NIGHTS 7pm Piano Bar by Request
THU NIGHTS 7pm Drag Bingo
WED 3 DEC 6pm Piano Bar Choir
SUN 7 DEC 2pm Spice Up Your Night
SUN 14 DEC 2pm Beatles Legacy
WED 17 DEC 7pm Carols by Candlelight
WED 31 DEC 6:30pm Black & White NYE Ball
KILDERKIN DISTILLERY
14A Hill St, Mt Pleasant • 0424 791 790 kilderkindistillery.com.au
FRI 5 DEC 7:30pm Rhiz, Pete & the Taggin' Along Band
SUN 14 DEC 1:30pm Neil Adam & Judy Turner
FRI 16 JAN 7:30pm Paper Jane
FRI 13 FEB 7:30pm Skiffle Party
TRADES HALL
24 Camp St • tradeshallevents.au
SAT 10 JAN 7pm Crime & the City Solution
CHISHOLM ST.
Black Hill, Ballarat • chisholmst.com
5 & 6 DEC 6pm A Night with Sondheim
ODESSA AT LEAVER'S HOTEL
80 Albert Street, Creswick • 0428 694 258 odessa-at-leavers.com
SAT 13 DEC 8pm Aaron D’Arcy Band
FRI 19 DEC 6:30pm Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier
Top Quality Sound & Lighting
Seating up to 130 • Licensed Bar Available
KANK WOLVERANG RECORDS
30 Main Rd, Bakery Hill
SAT 13 DEC 11am Kank’s 2nd Birthday Bash: The Neutron Flow, qu1nnix, Velora, Uproar, Hypnotic Fondue, Rent Is Due
SUN 14 DEC 2pm Briamber Jane
SUN 21 DEC 2pm Troy Daniel
SUN 4 JAN 2pm Concerned Homeowners Prospect
SUN 18 JAN 2pm Skaer
THE MAIN BAR
26 Main Rd, Bakery Hill events.humanitix.com/host/the-main-bar
SAT 6 DEC 7pm Salty Dog Reunion
SUMMER SUNDAYS
Ballarat Botanical Gardens summersundaysballarat.com.au
SUN 4 JAN Quarter Street, Daisy Kilbourne, Nasal Spray, Madi Walker
SUN 11 JAN Ella Thompson, Andy Golledge, Blue Ren, The Black Sea Country Club
SUN 18 JAN Cousin Tony's Brand New Firebird, Little Guilt, Hemlock Wilde, Freya & Tom McGowan
SUN 25 JAN El Bembe, Queenie, Square Wave Bounce, Fish Wife
HOP TEMPLE
Rear of 24-28 Armstrong St Nth 6155 2216 • hoptemple.com.au
WED NIGHTS 7pm Hop Trivia
THU NIGHTS 7pm Music Bingo
FRI NIGHTS 8:30pm Beats, Brews & BBQs + DJ
SATURDAYS 9pm Live Music
SUNDAYS 1:30pm Blues & Brews
SAT 6 DEC 9pm Travis McCarthy
SUN 7 DEC 1:30pm Midnight Drive
SAT 13 DEC 9pm Untapped
SUN 14 DEC 1:30pm Shane Gilbert
SAT 20 DEC 9pm Bec & Marty
SUN 21 DEC 1:30pm Rhyley McGrath
WED 24 DEC 7pm Murphy Holmes
SAT 10 JAN 9pm Retro Revival
SAT 24 JAN 9pm Untapped
SAT 31 JAN 9pm Retro Revival
SUN 1 FEB 1:30pm Anna Scionti
SUN 15 FEB 1:30pm Rhyley McGrath
SAT 28 FEB 9pm Bec & Marty
VOLTA
15 Field St • voltaballarat.com.au
MON 1 DEC 7pm Pierce Brothers
FRI 5 DEC 7:30pm King Parrot
MON 26 JAN 2pm Cosmic Psychos
SAT 21 FEB 8pm Regurgitator
THE GOODS SHED
Terminus Theatre • 200 Lydiard St Nth thegoodsshedballarat.com.au
SAT 3 JAN 8pm Turn Back Time 70s 80s 90s Legends Show
SUN 4 JAN 1:30pm Burning Red – Australia’s Ultimate Taylor Swift Tribute Show
WENDOUREE CENTRE
FOR PERFORMING ARTS
1220 Howitt St • 5338 0980 • wcpa.com.au
SUN 22 FEB 4pm Ovation - Prior, Hobson, Paladino and Cormick
FRI 27 FEB 7:30pm The X-Mentals
SAT 28 FEB 7:30pm The Eagles Greatest Hits
BALLARAT ORGANS & FINE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Program & tix: ballaratfestival.com
9 - 13 JAN Five unforgettable days of music — from soaring choral masterpieces to intimate recitals in Ballarat’s most beautiful churches. Australian & international artists in a program of fine music of the highest calibre.
STAGE STAGE
SUN 30 NOV 2pm
THE BIG CHRISTMAS SING
Let your voice and spirit soar – sing along with Victorian Opera, The Ballarat Choral Society and Ballarat Symphony Orchestra in an afternoon of festive music, operatic hits and orchestral favourites. This popular community event encourages audience members to sing along as we kickstart the holiday season.
Tix: hermaj.com
Civic Hall 300 Mair St
5 - 6 DEC
SLEIGH THE STAGE
Get ready to jingle and mingle! Join us for a festive cabaret-style Christmas show bursting with music, comedy, and sparkle – the perfect way to kick off the silly season! Soak
up the warm and merry atmosphere, and let our talented performers fill your night with Christmas cheer. Tix: creswicktheatre.com.au
Creswick Courthouse Theatre
2 Raglan St, Creswick
6 & 11 DEC 7:30pm
THE WITCHES OF CRESWICK
A new satirical adaptation of John Updike’s classic black comedy, The Witches of Eastwick. Three old friends have their wishes granted when a mysterious and flamboyant stranger arrives in town and all hell breaks loose. A new comedy set in the picturesque regional town of Creswick which takes aim at the foibles and politics of small-town life. The Witches of Creswick is written by Melbourne Theatre Company playwright Robert Reid and features a stellar cast of local acting talent.
Tix: humanitix.com
6 DEC: BPAC 501 – 503 Neill St, Soldiers Hill
11 DEC: Creswick Courthouse Theatre
2 Raglan St, Creswick
26 - 27 DEC 6:30pm
THE TEMPEST
Presented by Ozact
7-16 FEBRUARY
Buninyong Botanic Gardens
Presented by Bard in Buninyong
Tix: Trybooking or at the gate
Banished to a remote island, a powerful sorcerer and Milanesian nobleman, his daughter, and a few magical spirits exact revenge on those who have wronged him. But the strings of certain hearts are plucked by romance, causing chaos along the way. This production will transport audiences to an enchanted world of sorcerers, spells and shipwrecks. Tix: ozact.com
Kirks Reservoir Park
255 Daylesford Rd, Gong Gong
SAT 24 JAN 6pm
CIRQUE NOUVELLE
After sell out shows across Australia, this internationally acclaimed all-star cast are back and ready to present a truly unique and versatile production. This multi-talented line up of circus performers, each world class in their own right, have combined their acrobatic, juggling, aerial and balancing talents together to create a show like no other. This outstanding cast are led by a quirky ringmaster struggling with a fear common among us all... change.
Tix: wcpa.com.au
WCPA 1220 Howitt St, Wendouree
7 - 16 FEB THE BIRDS
Presented by The Bard in Buninyong Flock to the beautiful Buninyong Botanic Gardens, to enjoy this fabulous fantasy. The birds band together to build Cloud Cuckoo Land and take on the gorgeous Greek gods and their old enemy, the not so humble humans. Aristophanes, the father of comedy, invites us to see a birds’ eye view of the world. A family friendly spectacle of theatre, satire, song and dance, in the perfect setting. Bring a picnic and something to sit on and enjoy our pre-show music program. More info: Facebook - The Bard in Buninyong. Tix: trybooking or at the gate
Buninyong Botanic Gardens
Scott St, Buninyong
WED 11 FEB
AMPLIFIED: THE EXQUISITE ROCK & RAGE OF CHRISSY AMPHLETT
It’s a fine line between pleasure and pain. Chrissy Amphlett was a seismic force in a school uniform. She had raw talent, stage-conquering energy and the rock’n’roll rasp. Now, beloved performer and writer Sheridan Harbridge
fronts the band in an electrifying new cabaret that channels Chrissy's fierce spirit through anecdotes and songs. Amplified takes us on a kaleidoscopic tour through the eyes of fans and people who knew her into the heart of an artist well ahead of her time. Tix: hermaj.com
Her Majesty’s Theatre 17 Lydiard St Sth
26 FEB - 8 MAR & JULIET
Presented by Ballarat Lyric Theatre
From the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt’s Creek, & Juliet flips the script on the world’s most famous love story. What if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo, and instead, chose her own ending? Set to a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as Juliet herself, this hilarious and heartwarming new musical dares to imagine a life after Romeo, full of possibility, empowerment and pop bangers.
Tix: hermaj.com
Her Majesty’s Theatre 17 Lydiard St Sth
MORE TO DO MORE TO DO
ONGOING
AURA
The story of gold in a 90 minute high impact, graphic presentation which explores the creation, discovery and impact of the precious metal, then and now. Tix: sovereignhill.com.au
Sovereign Hill Bradshaw St, Golden Point
UNTIL 2 JAN
CHRISTMAS IN BALLARAT
Festive fun awaits you in Ballarat as the city comes alive with dazzling decorations, live music and more!
Info: christmasinballarat.com.au
SUN 30 NOV 10am – 2pm
EUREKA SUNDAY IN THE PARK
Join us to mark the 171st anniversary of the Eureka Stockade with kids' activities, lawn games and Eureka flag talks. Food will be available for purchase or bring a picnic!
Eureka Centre Ballarat 102 Stawell St Sth
SUN 30 NOV 10am - 4pm
SPRINGFEST BALLARAT
Enjoy 450+ market stalls plus family friendly activities, live music, entertainment & delicious food on the shores of Lake Wendouree. Info: ballaratspringfest.com.au Lake Wendouree Gardens Precinct
SAT 6 DEC from 10:30am
BALLARAT CUP
Enjoy food, fashion, kids' activities, live entertainment & up close racing action. Info & tix: country.racing.com
Ballarat Turf Club
240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest
SAT 6 DEC 1 – 5pm BUNINYONG VILLAGE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Enjoy the quarterly Buninyong Village Market, with gorgeous craft, art and food stalls and much more.
Buninyong Town Hall 309 Learmonth St, Buninyong
SUN 7 DEC 10am – 2pm BMI CHRISTMAS MARKET
Come along and experience our Christmas market & book sale just in time for the festive season. Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 117 Sturt St
FRI 12 DEC 4 – 8pm
BARKLY SQUARE
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Local stallholders, live music and entertainment, scrumptious food trucks, free face painting AND a visit from the big man in red!
Barkly Square 25-39 Barkly St
COMEDY
MARKET
SAT 13 DEC 8pm
CHRISTMAS COMEDY GALA
Get ready to sleigh this festive season with three of Australia’s sharpest comedic minds in one unmissable night of stand-up mayhem! With Brett Blake, Kirsty Webeck & Simon Taylor. Tix: ballaratmi.org.au
Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 117 Sturt St
FRI 19 DEC 4 – 8pm
TWILIGHT
CHRISTMAS MARKET
A very special market focusing on Christmas gifts, including homewares & personal pampering items, plenty of food, wine, cider, gin & more!
Zoo Drive, Lake Wendouree
SAT 20 DEC
CAROLS
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
A 60+ year tradition of Christmas celebration in Ballarat. Info: ballaratcarolsbycandlelight.org.au
Ballarat Showgrounds
6 Rose Hill Rd, Mount Rowan
LIVING FROM A PLACE OF INNER PEACE
MEDITATION PUBLIC TALK
• Wed 28 Jan | 7pm
• $25 | Walk-ins welcome
• Ballarat Mechanics Institute, 117 Sturt St meditate in ballarat .org
• Close to Ballarat CBD, Sovereign Hill & Wildlife Park
• Public Transport at our front door
• 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Villas
• Powered & Ensuite Sites
• FREE WiFi & Foxtel • Games Room
• Camp Kitchen
• Playground & FREE Mini-Golf
• FREE Eureka Pool Next Door (Nov-Apr)
Member Discounts for G'Day Park Members Dogs welcome (contact us for details)
STOCKADE HOLIDAY PARK
with us in the heart of the historic Eureka Stockade precinct
WED 31 DEC 9:30pm
NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS
Ballarat’s biggest fireworks display is back with a bang this New Year’s Eve! A free event. Lake Wendouree
FRI 2 JAN from 2pm
BALLARAT RODEO
A full day of high-energy entertainment, world-class rodeo action & country hospitality. Tix: nationalrodeoco.com.au
Ballarat Showgrounds 6 Rose Hill Rd, Mount Rowan
4, 11, 18, 25 JAN 3 – 7pm
SUMMER SUNDAYS
Enjoy live music in the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens, with food vendors & pop-up garden bar to quench summer thirsts. Free entry. Info & lineup: summersundaysballarat.com.au
Ballarat Botanical Gardens Gillies St Nth
FESTIVAL
9 - 13 JAN
BALLARAT ORGANS & FINE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Exceptional Australian and international artists in a program of classical and fine music of the highest calibre. Program & tix: ballaratfestival.com
12 JAN - 15 FEB FORAGE & FEAST
An exclusive insight into the hidden vibrancy of Central Highlands food culture. Enliven your summer with local culinary talent, impassioned growers, and artisan producers. centralhighlandsgrowers.com.au
SAT 24 JAN from 5pm BALLARAT PACING CUP
Showcasing the best in harness racing action + entertainment and dining. For updates and info visit: ballarattrottingclub.com.au
Ballarat Trotting Club Bell St, Redan
24 - 26 JAN
DREAMING TOGETHER: A BIG BEAUFORT WEEKEND
An exciting weekend of First Nations arts, culture, food & community. The event is free to attend!
Info: cyrilcallisterfoundation.org
SUN 15 FEB 3pm
FREESTYLE KINGS LIVE
The ultimate adrenaline-fueled family event, with the world’s best in FMX and BMX. Tix: tegsport.com.au
Mars Stadium
725 Creswick Rd, Wendouree
SUN 22 FEB 10am – 3:30pm
SMART LIVING EXPO
Your gateway to embracing sustainable practices, with a focus on education, community resilience and inclusivity. Let's shape a healthier, greener world, for positive change.
Info: smartlivingexpo.com.au
Royal Park
Cnr Hedrick & Warrenheip St, Buninyong
MEDITATION & BUDDHISM Weekly Classes
• Wed | 7-8pm | $12
• No booking required
• Ballarat Mechanics Institute, 117 Sturt St meditate in ballarat .org
MARKETS
THE BRIDGE MARKET
1ST SAT OF THE MONTH 9am – 1pm Bakery Hill, Ballarat
BALLARAT FARMERS MARKET
2ND & 4TH SAT OF THE MONTH 9am – 1pm Zoo Drive, Lake Wendouree (off Wendouree Pde)
BUNINYONG VILLAGE MARKET
3RD SAT OF THE MONTH* 10am – 2pm Buninyong Town Hall Precinct (10km from Ballarat) *date subject to change
CRESWICK MARKET
3RD SAT OF THE MONTH 9am – 1pm Victoria St, Creswick (18km from Ballarat)
SMYTHESDALE COUNTRY MARKET
3RD SAT OF THE MONTH 9am – 1pm Glenelg Hwy, Smythesdale (19km from Ballarat)
CLUNES FARMERS MARKET
2ND SUN OF THE MONTH 9am – 1pm Fraser St, Clunes (35km from Ballarat)
BALLAN FARMERS MARKET
2ND SAT OF THE MONTH 9am – 1pm Inglis St, Ballan (39km from Ballarat)
DAYLESFORD SUNDAY MARKET
SUNDAYS 8am – 3pm 18 Raglan St, Daylesford (45km from Ballarat)
BEAUFORT TOWN MARKET
SAT 25 OCT 9am – 1pm Beaufort Memorial Rose Garden (49km from Ballarat)
TALBOT FARMERS MARKET
3RD SUN OF THE MONTH 9am – 1pm Scandinavian Cres, Talbot (52km from Ballarat)
MALL • BALLARAT
