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 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
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
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 and 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
24-25 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.
The Eureka Express will also transport passengers from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station to Ballarat and back again on the weekend on 17-18 May.
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:
- Heritage Harvest Weekend at Sovereign Hill (24-25 May)
- Cocktails with the Mackinnons at The Shared Table (16 May)
- Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Dinner at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute (17 May)
- G&Tea Heritage Style at Grainery Lane (18 & 25 May)
- Ballarat Heritage Festival Beard and Stache Competition Dinner at Aunty Jacks (23 May)
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:
- the Ballarat Town Hall After Dark Tour (16-17 May)
- Minerva's Secrets night tours at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute (16 & 18 May)
- Ballarat Old Gaol tours (17-18 May)
- Ballarat Fire Brigade tours (17-18 May)
- Miners, Music and Mayhem tours through the Ballarat CBD (17 May & 24 May)
- Bootmaking Workshop Tours at Wootten (18 & 25 May)
- Day tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute (20-21 May)
- Old Colonists Club Ballarat tours (24 May)
