See & do

26 Mar 25

6 highlights of the Ballarat Heritage Festival

Steam train rides at the Ballarat Train Station

The Ballarat Heritage Festival is back in 2025 to celebrate the city’s rich history, iconic landmarks and vibrant arts scene.

Running from 16-25 May, expect captivating heritage moments, interactive encounters, thought-provoking art as well as delectable food and drink experiences.

For the full program, visit ballaratheritagefestival.com

Craft Lab

Craft Lab 25

17-18 May and 24-25 May

Craft Lab 25 is all about applying old skills in new ways.

Returning to the Ballarat Mining Exchange over two weekends, the free event is a showcase of traditional artisanal skills matched with contemporary treatment.

Meet and chat with 18 talented makers, artisans and artists as they share their knowledge, expertise and techniques.

The Great Takeaway

The Great Takeaway

Thursday 22 May

It's the dining experience that gives new meaning to takeout.

Dine with some of the Ballarat region's best textiles, glassware and ceramics and then take them home with you at The Great Takeaway.

This exclusively tailored dinner will be held within the Craft Lab exhibition display at the Ballarat Mining Exchange.

Six tables will be individually dressed by high-profile local ceramicists.

You'll be seated at random and allocated a curated cutlery, plates and glassware set valued at over $400. And it's yours for the taking at the end of the night!

The three-course feast will come courtesy of Peasant's Douglas Kerr and Dan Tesoriero and will be in direct response to each maker's design style.

Ballarat Beard and Stache Competition

Ballarat Beard and Stache Competition

Saturday 24 May

Some of Australia's best chin wear and upper lip warmers will be on show at the Ballarat Beard and Stache Competition.

Our hairy chums will gather at Hop Temple to battle it out across five categories:

  • full beard (20cm-infinity)
  • full beard (10-20cm)
  • partial beard
  • verdi (under 10cm)
  • moustache

There's even a 'just for fun' category for freestylers or even fake beards (that includes the ladies too!).

The fun and frivolity continues the very next day (Sunday 25 May) with the Ballarat Dog Beard and Stache Competition at Hop Temple.

Prizes will be up for grabs for the best dog beard and/or stache plus best dressed doggo.

Steam train rides at the Ballarat Heritage Festival

Steam train rides

17-18 May

Join Steamrail Victoria for a ride on a heritage steam locomotive as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival.

Return shuttles will run from the Ballarat Train Station to Lal Lal.

Each 18km round trip will take approximately 60 minutes.

Heritage Harvest Weekend at Sovereign Hill

Eat, drink and be merry!

Various dates

Fill your mind with history and your belly with delicious treats at one of the festival's many food and drink events.

Some of our favourites include:

Minerva's Secrets night tours at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Behind-the-scenes tours

Various dates

See some of Ballarat's most historic and fascinating buildings in a whole new light on one of the festival's guided tours.

The intriguing line-up includes:

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Visitor Information Centres

Ballarat Town Hall
225 Sturt Street
Ballarat VIC 3350

Ballarat Botanical Gardens
401-405 Wendouree Parade
Lake Wendouree VIC 3350

Acknowledgement of Country

Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities. These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years. As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.


©️ 2025 Visit Ballarat. This initiative is funded by the City of Ballarat and Tourism Midwest Victoria.