6 highlights of the Ballarat Heritage Festival

The Ballarat Heritage Festival is back in 2024 to celebrate the city’s rich history, iconic landmarks and vibrant creative community.

Running from 17-26 May, expect thought-provoking art, interactive encounters, captivating heritage moments as well as delectable food and drink experiences.

Here are some of our top picks from this year’s Ballarat Heritage Festival program…

Heritage Harvest Weekend at Sovereign Hill

Celebrate autumnal flavours, rustic food and traditional culinary practices at Sovereign Hill this Heritage Harvest Weekend.

The 25-26 May event will feature:

• Australian culinary icons Julie Goodwin, Darren Purchese and Tim Bone
• the Harvest Market Village showcasing more than 30 producers and artisans
• traditional craft and cooking demonstrations
• cooking and craft sessions with the Country Women’s Association
• special kids’ activities

Craft Lab 24

Returning to the Ballarat Mining Exchange over two weekends, Craft Lab 24 celebrates traditional artisanal skills matched with contemporary treatment.

Meet and talk with 17 demonstrating practitioners, from ceramicists, jewellers, leatherworkers and basketmakers to shoemakers, glassblowers, quilters, weavers and doll artists.

And admire the central display of exceptional handcrafted work by over 30 artisans from the Ballarat region.

Steam train rides

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 on Saturday 25 May and Sunday 26 May.

Each 18km round trip will take approximately 60 minutes.

Parrwang Lifts The Sky

Victorian Opera will bring to life the Wadawurrung story of Parrwang – the courageous magpie who saved the world – at Ballarat’s Civic Hall on 24-25 May.

Parrwang Lifts The Sky is the tale of Tjatjarrang (Big Sister) and Koki (Brother), who are young, adventurous and tired of living in the dark.

When they climb to the highest branches of an ancient gum tree, they discover a world of colour and light and a friend in Parrwang (Magpie).

Ballarat Tweed Ride and Fair

Dress in vintage attire and pedal around Ballarat’s autumn streets at the annual Ballarat Tweed Ride and Fair on Saturday 18 May.

Now in its 12th year, the 3km ride will begin with a presentation of rosettes for the best-dressed riders.

It will be followed by the Tweed Fair and Dance at St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, complete with The Magic Pudding pantomime, vintage fashion parade and stalls, dancefloor, sweet treats and more.

‘Monuments’ outdoor video installation

Cap off your Ballarat Heritage Festival evenings with a globally-renowned outdoor video installation.

In Monuments by Australian artist Craig Walsh, moving images projected onto trees represent a synergy between the human form and the natural environment, with depicted subjects drawn from Ballarat’s cultural heritage.

Shown daily in the Sturt Street Gardens, Barry Gilson, Charles Zhang and Terry Frangos will share the story of how Wadawurrung land was changed and how Ballarat became home to a shared group of Traditional Owners and migrants from Chinese and European backgrounds.

For the full festival program, visit ballaratheritagefestival.com