Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
Explore the region
Explore Ballarat and nearby goldfields towns. Creswick and Buninyong are separate outings; Daylesford and Bendigo are not Ballarat suburbs.
Listings across Ballarat, Ballarat Central, Ballarat East, Ballarat North, Buninyong, Creswick, Delacombe, Golden Point, Lake Wendouree, Soldiers Hill, Wendouree.
Upcoming events
86 matching events listed in the next 60 days. Admission prices are shown where supplied.
Experience the excitement of the Australian Calisthenics Competition at the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod — Australia's premier eisteddfod and Victoria's largest youth performing arts pathway, inspiring performers since 1891.
Held as part of this iconic event, the Australian Calisthenics Competition began in 1903 and has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the country. Take your seat and enjoy one of Australia's most prestigious calisthenics showcases, featuring clubs from across Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland.
Audiences will be captivated by the unique blend of dance, singing, gymnastics, technical skill and teamwork that defines calisthenics. Celebrate the dedication, confidence and camaraderie of performers as they take to the stage. Show your support with enthusiastic applause.
Things are getting snappy at Ballarat Wildlife Park this Croc-tober. Join them throughout October for a month of crocodilian discovery, activities and special experiences designed to build awareness of these remarkable reptiles and the importance of their conservation.
Follow the Croc Spot signs around the park to find juvenile freshwater crocodiles, adult freshwater crocodiles, Crunch and Bella the saltwater crocodiles, and American alligators. Take your time, look closely and discover the differences between these extraordinary reptiles. Hear from the expert crocodile keepers during the daily Crocodilian Talks and learn about crocodilian behaviour, adaptations and conservation. Get your Limited-Edition Croc-tober Crunch Cookies in the cafe and your croc merch in the gift shop.
The Croc-tober Junior Croc Keeper Experience invites all young crocodile enthusiasts to step into the boots of a wildlife keeper in an action-packed, two-hour experience. Participants will discover fascinating crocodilians, learn from the expert keepers and enjoy an exclusive taste of life as a reptile keeper at Ballarat Wildlife Park. This experience is conducted on Saturday 24 October at 10.30 am and 1.30 pm.
Croc spotting and daily crocodilian talks are included in admission tickets to the Ballarat Wildlife Park. The Croc-tober Junior Croc Keeper Experience must be booked seperately. Please visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park for more information and the booking link.
This October, one2one Church of Christ Ballarat is transforming The Unicorn Collection into a vibrant showcase of local creative talent.
Created to Create brings together more than ten artists and makers from the community, spanning generations and disciplines, each with something unique to offer, and a shared passion behind their work. There will be an eclectic collection of paintings, drawings, woodwork, textiles, prints, photography, greeting cards, children's books and mixed-media pieces. Every work is available to purchase at accessible prices, with proceeds directly supporting young people for community ministry across Indonesia.
See Chelle Destefano's Aural transferences at the Art Gallery of Ballarat's Backspace Gallery
For Creswick artist Chelle Destefano, sound is not just a landscape for hearing. Through time, space and memory, the deaf artist visually represents her experience of sound before she lost her hearing completely at age nine.
The set of drawings titled Aural transferences express the artist's personal perspective. The black and dark-coloured backgrounds are chosen for being like a veil obscuring the sound, not knowing what the sounds are. The multicoloured keys were inspired by a photograph taken of a rainbow against a dark, stormy sky, which then became the visual device for transferring her memories onto paper.
Join Hop Temple each Sunday as Australian artists take the stage with original and blues covers, all while you explore their lineup of over 200 craft beers.
The kitchen team will be serving up smoked barbecue classics from brisket and sausage to pulled pork and wings.
Ballarat National Theatre brings one of contemporary theatre's most intriguing comedies to Ballarat this October, with a talented local cast taking on Sarah Ruhl's funny, strange and wonderfully human Dead Man's Cell Phone.
Presented at the historic Ballarat Mechanics Institute and directed by Benj Beatty, the story begins in a café.
Jean is sitting quietly when the mobile phone on the next table begins to ring. And ring. Its owner isn't answering.
So Jean does.
It's one small decision that draws her into the life of a man she has never met, and into the orbit of the complicated, surprising and often very funny people he has left behind.
Ruhl is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award-nominated playwright with a gift for finding comedy in unexpected places. Dead Man's Cell Phone is clever and gloriously offbeat, with a warm-hearted story about love, loneliness and the ways people connect.
For visitors looking to experience Ballarat after dark or on a Sunday afternoon for a matinee, it's an opportunity to enjoy contemporary theatre performed by local talent in one of the city's beautiful historic buildings.
Creswick Theatre Company proudly presents a monthly series of staged play readings held on the last Sunday of each month. Join in as the ensemble of actors brings compelling scripts to life through expressive readings and minimal staging, putting the spotlight on bold storytelling and fresh voices.
The staged play reading afternoons will present a script, either a new work or a classic piece, in a simple, text-focused format. There will be no production elements of costumes, sets, or extensive blocking. The emphasis is on the words, characters and story rather than visual spectacle. Local actors will bring the scripts to life through expressive readings and minimal staging, allowing the words and characters to take centre stage.
Experience local talent and innovative stories. Every month brings a new story to the stage.
The October play reading is 'Pinter's Son, Jim' the only completed full-length play written by the iconic Australian author and bush poet Henry Lawson.
Lawson wrote the play while living in New Zealand around 1893–1894, after it was commissioned by theatrical entrepreneur Bland Holt. However, it was ultimately deemed too unwieldy or difficult to stage at the time. It blends a love story, a detective story, slapstick comedy, and tragedy all into one narrative. The story features some of Lawson's best-loved recurring outback characters, most notably the irrepressible wanderer Mitchell.
Enjoy free flowing Grainey Lane Gin Teapot Cocktails perfectly paired with a selection of delectable bites.
The perfect Sunday catch-up or to celebrate special milestone birthday, baby shower, hens party or a special occasion.
A proud Pitjantjatjara, Warrigmal, South Sea, and German descendant, Elaine Crombie is a storyteller with razor-sharp comic timing and a powerful stage presence. Effortlessly moving between comedy and drama, her stories are as heartfelt as they are hilarious.
Elaine is journeying though a grief season that's packed with all the fabourites tjamu, Nana, Mum, Dad and NannyGirl. Come along and see some photos of a very cute brownie, a chlorine bleached swimmer and listen to some tunes and complaints from a woman forever changed by stage left exits. This show is a part of Fringe Encore: Ballarat.
Elaine Crombie is a singer, songwriter, actor, director, writer and stand-up comedian who has performed nationally and internationally for more than two decades. She has appeared in multiple TV series including Firebite, Top of the Lake, Wentworth, How to Stay Married, Rosehaven S2, Grace Beside Me, 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, Nowhere Boys S4, Get Krack!n, Black Comedy, Redfern Now and Kiki and Kitty, and feature films including Jackie Jackie, Black Talk and Top End Wedding.
Degustation is a new work from One Fell Swoop Circus that blends contemporary circus and fine dining into a shared sensory experience. Created with Chef Shu Liu of SHU Restaurant, the show unfolds like a tasting menu, with each course offering a unique moment of delight.
Seated around the stage, audiences enjoy five courses from Shu's award-winning degustation while six world-class acrobats perform. Acrobatics and cuisine share a language of flavour, weight, heat, breath, timing, texture and touch, creating an experience that engages the senses and invites audiences to be fully present.
Continuing One Fell Swoop Circus' exploration of human connection, Degustation focuses on pleasure, intimacy and the joy of gathering together. More than dinner and a show, it is a celebration of sensation, where food and performance shape and elevate one another, course by course. Shu's cuisine and One Fell Swoop's acrobatics are both technically ambitious yet warmly accessible, grounded in precision, surprise and the simple pleasure of sharing an experience.
Funny, immersive and deeply alive, Degustation invites audiences to sit close, savour the moment and live deliciously.
One Fell Swoop Circus has toured acclaimed productions throughout Australia, Asia, Europe, North America and New Zealand. Their production In Common won Best Circus at the 2023 Melbourne Fringe.
Celebrate the very best of the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod at its premier Showcase Event — the spectacular culmination of the 2026 season.
Bringing together standout performers from across the entire program, this special event features the best of the best in dance, music, speech, drama and more. After months of competition, these exceptional artists are invited to take to the stage once more to deliver performances of the highest calibre.
Audiences will experience an inspiring and entertaining program that highlights the depth of talent, dedication and creativity nurtured throughout the Eisteddfod — Victoria's largest youth performing arts pathway.
This is your opportunity to witness award-winning performances in one unforgettable showcase. Join in celebrating excellence, passion and achievement, and be part of a truly memorable finale to the 2026 season.
Each month a mixture of local, national or international authors visit Ballarat and Collins Booksellers on Lydiard are delighted to offer the opportunity for readers to meet them and listen to them speak about their writing, published work and experiences.
Please visit the website for information about the current author events.
Explore Ballarat's Public Art Collection, which holds over 120 artworks and is one of the largest, and most significant regional public art collections in Australia.
Discover Ballarat's dynamic history and creative legacy through a series of self-guided public art walks. There are four self-guided walking tours that cover statues along Sturt Street, Contemporary artworks, War History and Lake Wendouree.
The Contemporary Walk includes First Nations artist Deanne Gilson's Acknowledgement of Country Mural: Mundi-gurrk and Wurring, wurring Family Gathering by the Biyal. Located within the Ballarat Town Hall's Visitor Information Centre's Bath Lane entrance foyer, it consists of 20 paintings by the Wadawurrung artist which have been printed on 220 metres of vinyl.
These self-guided walking tours are available for collection from both the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre located in the Ballarat Town Hall, and at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Visitor information Centre located at the Robert Clark Centre directly opposite the Conservatory. You can also find digital copies available via the website.
The Crafty Squirrel is a colourful and inspiring destination for craft lovers visiting Ballarat. Located in a charming heritage shopfront, this much-loved creative space is the working shop and studio of designer and maker Morgan Wills.
The shop is filled with an ever-changing collection of beautiful and unusual haberdashery, textiles, craft supplies, gifts, homewares and vintage treasures sourced from Australia and around the world, with a particular love of finds from Japan and France. Visitors can discover Japanese fabrics and craft supplies, vintage haberdashery, ribbons and trims, handmade pieces and carefully selected treasures celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and traditional making.
More than simply a shop, The Crafty Squirrel reflects Morgan's lifelong passion for making and creative travel. Morgan also hosts small-group craft tours and retreats in Australia and overseas, connecting craft lovers with makers, workshops and creative traditions.
For visitors exploring Ballarat's creative side, The Crafty Squirrel is a delightful place to fossick for something special, find inspiration for a new project or discover an unusual treasure to take home.
Welcome to The Made of: Ballarat Shop, proudly celebrating artisans and producers from the local region.
They offer a range of products that showcase the incredible talent of the local artists and producers. From magnets to tote bags, postcards and stickers, candles, prints, jams, and coffee beans, they have it all. Even hand-knitted wombats. There's something here for everyone, big or small. They also offer custom hamper creation, choose your preferred products and they'll create a complimentary hamper just for you.
Located inside the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, a visit to The Made of: Ballarat Shop will ensure you leave with a wonderful and unique souvenir, something to remind you of your travels, or a gift for someone special.
The Hop Queen mural was a self-initiated and financed collaborative project between local artist Travis Price and Mass Motion.
Much of Price's focus with work had been outside of Ballarat for some time and he wanted to create something that would resonate with local residents. The byline, The past is History, was a tongue in cheek acknowledgment of Ballarat's well-documented history but also a call to action to move on to create their own identity/future.
With over 20 years of experience working as a creative, Travis Price has built a reputation as a leader in the commercial illustration industry. A product of the University of Ballarat, Price has worked for some of the most innovative advertising agencies, bands and clothing brands.
Respected internationally for his evolution and experimentation in vector illustration Price has presented at numerous design conferences and universities regarding his work including the National Gallery of Victoria.
Price continues to work on a variety of commercial and apparel projects from his home studio in Ballarat surrounded by his growing family.
The Hop Queen mural was painted over three days in April 2016 with the help of fellow local artists Merda and Cax One.
Opened in 1875, Her Majesty's Theatre is the beating cultural heart of Ballarat, holding the title of Australia's oldest continuously operating live theatre venue. This historic building features a stunningly renovated double-balconied auditorium, recently restored to blend comfort with elegance, and equipped with state-of-the-art theatre technology.
Each year, Her Majesty's hosts an exciting season of touring productions, showcasing performances from world class theatre companies and musicians.
But it's not just for the pros. Her Majesty's is a beloved community hub and is host to a huge variety of local productions. Come and see a show at the most glamorous theatre in regional Victoria.
Accessible seating requirements can be discussed with the Box Office.
Ballarat's Civic Hall has re-emerged as one of the City's most popular and adaptable event spaces. We've hosted everything from the Ballarat Marathon to legendary rock icons like grammy-winner Jack White, proving that Civic Hall is where music comes to get live and loud.
Following a major renovation in 2019, the Ballarat Civic Hall known for live music concerts, also hosts an annual season of diverse, entertaining and world-class events and performances for local, regional, national and international organisations.
Unicorn Lane is an outdoor exhibition space that highlights the talents of local, emerging artists from the Ballarat region.
Exhibitions change over every six weeks and can be viewed day or night, with the boxes lit in the evenings.
A perfect addition to a stroll through the centre of Ballarat.
Hattie and the Wolf is Ballarat's go-to destination for those who love eco-friendly, Australian-made, and locally handmade treasures.
Nestled in a gorgeous light-filled 1890s building, their store offers a thoughtfully curated selection of giftware, clothing, and accessories—sourced from both Australia and abroad.
Their earth-friendly ethos runs through everything they do. Many of their products are eco-conscious, fair trade, or part of inspiring social enterprises. The makers and businesses they partner with are transparent in their supply chains, pay fair wages, and in many cases, support education and community programs.
They are passionate about handmade and proudly support local artists and makers. Nothing brings them more joy than celebrating their creativity and watching their businesses grow.
At their heart, they are brave, bold, and fearless—and they invite you to be part of this story too.
Art Space Ballarat showcases the artworks of creatives and artists from the Ballarat region. The dedicated community art space will change every six and occupied by a new artist, maker or performer.
Located in Ballarat's arts precinct and a short walk from the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Art Space Ballarat, is a great location to discover Ballarat's creative community.
Perridak Arts is an Aboriginal owned and operated business in the evolving art and tourist scene of Ballarat on the land of the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation.
This is unique art gallery was established in 2023 and couples as a therapeutic program, supporting local First Nations artists and craftspeople to present their art while using their talents to connect to their culture.
Once you step inside the door, you will be immersed in the relaxing sounds and smells of “Being on Country”, where a variety of art forms encourages visitors to delve into First Nation's culture.
The building has many historical features, including a floor-to-ceiling beam and original brickwork which date back to the early 1800s. Set amongst this beautiful heritage architecture, is a modern and peaceful gallery, which will delight anyone who visits.
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative is proud to present Perridak Arts Gallery to the public and is committed to supporting local artists to continually offer their amazing artworks for viewing and purchase.
The classes provide practical methods for improving the quality of lives and developing inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings.
The in-person setting fosters a supportive community and offers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.
Classes include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek.
No prior experience needed and you can join anytime. Everyone is welcome.
Please see the website for weekly current and upcoming class courses.
Collins Booksellers Ballarat on Lydiard is a destination bookstore in a beautifully historical and architecturally rich precinct.
The bookshop will take you back in time with its pressed tin roof, old-style bookcases, wooden floors, open fireplaces, heritage front counter and the old fashioned signage. The shop features floorboards throughout, unique interiors and detailing, and internal walkways connecting the three parts of the shop, which are dedicated to fiction, non-fiction and children's/YA respectively.
The bookstore has warmth and character, and the largest range of books in Ballarat.
