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One of Ballarat’s biggest parties in years is just hours away.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flood the city on Saturday night for White Night, with the streets and venues of Ballarat set to be transformed through illuminations, projections, music, and interactive works.

It is the fourth time the free event has been held in Ballarat, but the first time since 2019.

It will take place from 6pm to midnight on Saturday 1 June.

Based on previous White Nights in Ballarat, it is expected to generate between $3 million and $5 million for the Ballarat economy.

To make the most out of your night, find everything you need to know below. A great starting point is the White Night map to begin planning your evening.

The Program

Artistic Director and Creative Producer Andrew Walsh AM of renowned major events organisation Accolade.Event Management, has compiled a brilliant display that is certain to light up the city in dazzling fashion.

Laser beams, breathtaking projections, an array of live music, interactive works; the one-night-only event is something not to be missed.

White Night Ballarat will feature almost 40 projections and more than 100 artists and performers, many of which are from Ballarat and surrounds.

Featured local artists during White Night include the late Josh Muir, whose work ‘Still Here’ will be projected across Sturt Street, while a series of joyful projections by local artist Deborah Klein and the sublime work ‘Slow Curtain’ by renowned photographer Lisa Walker will also be on show for all to see.

The Ballarat flavour won’t be lost when it comes to live music either, with Ballarat’s own Yacht Club DJs, Sami and Lashes among the line-up of more than 20 artists split over three stages.

For more information about the program, visit the program section on the White Night website.  

Food and drink

It’s not just the brilliant lights and electric entertainment to make your evening complete during White Night – it will be a culinary delight to remember.

White Night is an alcohol-free event, but many of the local restaurants and bars will be open for business.

There will also be more food trucks in Doveton Street, covering a wide variety of cuisines and dietary requirements.

Across the White Night Ballarat footprint, festival-goers will be treated to White Night Bites – an outstanding array of culinary experiences to ensure a late-night feed can be on everybody’s agenda.

Visit the White Night Bites section on the Visit Ballarat website for more information.

Getting there

There will be extensive road closures and limited parking near the event, and attendees are encouraged to use public transport.

There will be extra train services from Melbourne and additional bus services throughout the night.

From 8.30pm until 1am, there will also be four bespoke bus routes operating from the Transport Hub at the Ballarat Railway Station Bus Terminal. The four services will operate to a 30-minute frequency along the following routes:

• Route 1: Alfredton/Lucas
• Route 2: Wendouree via Lydiard Street
• Route 3: Black Hill/Brown Hill/Canadian
• Route 4: Barkly Street via Sebastopol/Delacombe

Visit the Public Transport Victoria website for maps, timetables and more detailed information.

There will also be a free Park and Ride Shuttle running express between the Ballarat Lifestyle and Aquatic Centre (BALC) and the Transport Hub. It will operate from 5.30pm Saturday until 1am Sunday at a 30-minute frequency.

Due the limited parking around the event, attendees are reminded to only park in designated parking areas, show courtesy for nearby residents and avoid blocking access to any driveways or businesses.

Road closures

There will be extensive road closures in the Ballarat CBD in the lead-up to and after the event.

Initial west-bound Sturt Street closures between Armstrong and Doveton Streets will begin on Friday 31 May, with increasing closures until the entire event precinct is closed by 12pm on Saturday 1 June until 2.30am on Sunday 2 June.

Please consider alternate routes when travelling during this period, please be patient and drive safely on the roads.

Parking of private vehicles in the event precinct will not be allowed after 12pm on Saturday 1 June.

For detailed road closures in full, view the full list of road closures and see the map on the White Night website.  

Accessibility

White Night is an accessible event. All venues are accessible and road closures will be in place to make it easier for people to move within the festival area.

Each event on the program has its own individual accessibility rating, based on aural, visual and physical access ratings. These can be discovered by clicking on each specific event on the program.

The City of Ballarat mobility map helps people with limited mobility navigate the city. However, please note the map has not been adapted for White Night and not all accessibility facilities within the event footprint will be available.

Additional temporary accessible toilets and parent facilities will also be available during the event.

There will also be wheelchair accessible taxis at the taxi rank that will operate outside Her Majesty’s Theatre on Lydiard Street South.

The event is delivered and funded by the State Government, in partnership with the City of Ballarat.

This 2024 event is exclusive to regional Victoria and follows news this week of the City of Ballarat becoming the only location announced outside of Melbourne to host Cold Chisel as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour.

For all other information regarding the event, visit the White Night website. 

A prominent Ballarat corner is about to undergo a significant facelift in the name of celebrating cultural diversity.

Works on the Intercultural Garden at the intersection of Sturt and Pleasant streets will begin this week, setting out to beautify the existing green space and create a garden where everybody in Ballarat can feel welcome.

The City of Ballarat has engaged local company S.H.A.E Enterprises Pty Ltd to complete the project, which is expected to be finished before the end of the year.

The area on the north-western corner of the intersection near the City Oval football ground and City Oval Bowling Club will be inaccessible to the public during this time.

Among the highlights of the garden will be a community flagpole, picnic shelter, park furniture, an arts display plinth, electrical and water connections, paths, a circular display garden and other plantings, and a drinking fountain provided by Central Highlands Water.

The initiative to create the Intercultural Garden was part of the City of Ballarat Intercultural Plan 2002-2026, created in conjunction with the Intercultural Advisory Committee.

The design of the garden followed community consultation in 2023 to identify the most important aspects of the garden.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the project signified Council’s ongoing support of the growing intercultural community.

The 2021 Census showed Ballarat was home to about 8000 people from non-English speaking backgrounds, with almost 13,000 residents born overseas.

“To have an open space dedicated to celebrating our cultural diversity, that can also be used and enjoyed by everybody in the community, at any time, is going to be fantastic,” Cr Hudson said.

“As Ballarat's intercultural communities continue to quickly grow, it is important we recognise the positive impact that has on the city.

“We hope this could just be the beginning of the Intercultural Garden and we’re excited about what could be in store in future years.”

The Intercultural Garden project is another example of the City of Ballarat’s commitment to delivering a better Ballarat. 

Marathon mania is about to take over Ballarat, with thousands of runners and visitors set to descend on the city this weekend.

The second annual Ballarat Marathon road running festival will be held on Saturday 26 April and Sunday 27 April, with all eyes of the running world turning to Ballarat.

There are already more than 9000 entries across all events registered so far – almost double the total from the inaugural event in 2024.

And of the total entries to date, about 80 percent are visitors to Ballarat, showcasing the city to thousands of people and resulting in accommodation being at capacity.  

An expected injection of at least $3.1 million into the Ballarat economy is projected due to the event.

With almost 3000 entrants in the 42.2km full marathon alone, the event has already grown to be the fourth biggest marathon race in Australia, behind Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne. The half marathon event is capped at 3500 entries and has been sold out for weeks.

Entertainment offerings will be located throughout the course, with local businesses joining in to build the hype and monumental fundraising efforts under way, the event has once again captured the imagination of the entire city.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the two-day running festival promised to be another spectacular event.

“The rapid growth of the Ballarat Marathon is astounding, and I look forward to this year’s event with great anticipation,” she said.

“The positive effects from the event are enormous in terms of economic impact, fundraising, tourism and health and fitness, just to name a few.

“We acknowledge the event does have an impact on people’s movement throughout the city, but we thank them for their patience to help us support an event that is so important for Ballarat.”

Entertainment, food and drink

Ballarat is already abuzz with marathon fever and that atmosphere is only going to grow in the coming days.

This year there will be increased entertainment offerings throughout the course to ensure supporters are spread throughout the entire event to cheer on the runners.

The Sovereign Hill Red Coats will once again fire the starting gun for the race, plus there will be more than a dozen different musical acts and DJs dotted around the course on Sunday.

In terms of hospitality, there are 24 local businesses currently taking part in the Carb Party, highlighting one of their finest carb-loaded, energy-rich creations to fuel both local and visiting athletes (and spectators). See all the businesses participating in the Carb Party on the Ballarat Marathon website.

At least 15 local cafes will also be opening their doors early on Sunday to ensure a caffeine hit is available from the crack of dawn – some of them as early as 5am. See the full list of cafes who are extending their opening hours on the Ballarat Marathon website.

Courtesy buses will also run along Mair Street between Civic Hall and Pleasant Street to help spectators move around the course.

Fundraising

One of the key elements of the Ballarat Marathon is the fundraising for charity.

Already there has been almost $60,000 raised for charity, but this number is expected to keep climbing significantly even after the conclusion of the event.

The Ballarat Health Services Foundation is the headline charity partner for the event, with participants who raise $500 or more for the foundation via the Grassrootz platform able to have their entry fee refunded if they choose.

Anybody who raises money for the Ballarat Health Services Foundation will be entered into the Lucky Dip to win Shokz headphones, Sweaty memberships, a Runners Prep membership, and more. The top five fundraisers will also win Shokz Headphones, a $200 Running Warehouse Gift Voucher and Steigen running socks.

More than 2000 entrants have registered to raise money for more than 200 different charities.

To learn more about fundraising, visit the fundraising page on the Ballarat Marathon website.

Road closures

There will be various road closures throughout the duration of the event and people planning to travel are encouraged to plan in advance and allow extra time.

Most notably, Sturt Street will be closed to all traffic from Grenville Street to Golf Club Drive from 7am-3pm on Sunday.

Pedestrian access to shops along the course will be maintained at all times and there will be frequent pedestrian crossing points and opportunities.

Emergency access will always be maintained. In the event of an emergency, all emergency services will be able to access all properties and businesses within the road closures.

For a full list of road closures, visit the road closures page on the Ballarat Marathon road closures page.

There will also be other associated road closures on Friday 25 April for ANZAC Day commemorations. Visit the City of Ballarat ANZAC Day page for more information.

The course

The two-lap course, designed by Ballarat running legend Steve Moneghetti, is even flatter this year by removing the Sturt Street hill between Lydiard Street and the Bridge Mall and instead looping around Lydiard Street North.

With a total elevation gain of just 98 metres over the full marathon distance, it is designed to be a course that will result in many personal best times from competitors.

Taking in the stunning Sturt Street boulevard, tranquil Victoria Park, the iconic Arch of Victory, and beautiful Lake Wendouree, this magnificent course is a true testament to Ballarat as a premier regional city.

The flatter course has been certified to World Athletics standards, meaning a qualifying time would count in order to get into the ballot for a major marathon like Boston or New York.  

For a full list of all starting times and all information relating to the event, visit the Ballarat Marathon website. 

The 72nd annual Ballarat Begonia Festival is just around the corner and it is time to get up to speed with how to make the most out of Ballarat’s biggest celebration.

The 2024 festival, held across the upcoming Labour Day long weekend (9-11 March), promises to offer three days of fun with something on offer to suit everyone.

Featuring live music, show-stopping performances, delicious food and drinks, markets, celebrity guests, family activities, workshops and of course, the stunning Begonias and garden displays, the Begonia Festival promises three days of fun for all.  

And the best part of all? It is free to attend.

Whether you are a first-timer to Begonia or a seasoned campaigner, we are here to help you make the most of the weekend.

Check out everything you need to know below.

Getting there  

Planning your trip to the Begonia Festival?  

This year’s event has a large range of transport options to get you and the family to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens for the three-day festival.    

Free shuttle buses to and from Ballarat Train Station, free carparks, a close walk to Wendouree train station or maybe even a vintage tram ride once you’re there, there are plenty of ways to get to this year’s festival.

To learn more about how to get to the festival, plus all the information about road closures and shuttle bus times, visit the transport page on the Ballarat Begonia Festival website.  

Accessibility

The main stage will feature Closed Caption (CC) for all stage presentations and cooking demonstrations. Reserved front row seating and wheelchair allocation will also be provided.  

To access some of the lawns with higher kerbs, ramps have been installed for easier access. There will be up to 15 ramps placed around the Ballarat Botanical Gardens to allow access onto the existing raised beds. The locations of ramps are noted on the festival map which can be obtained at the festival gates or on the event website.  

Accessible entry in and out of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens is available at all gates.  

Accessible Parking will be located in the North Gardens, with the entry point off Wendouree Parade into Zoo Drive.

During the Festival, Parent Place will host a pop-up marquee offering: a breast-feeding location, bottle heating facilities, access to change facilities and a sensory place.    

To learn more, visit the accessibility page on the Begonia Festival website.

The Begonias

What would a Begonia Festival be without the star of the show?

With more than 500 Begonias to be displayed this year, get ready to be dazzled by the array of colours in the Robert Clark Conservatory.

Although the Begonias are the focal point, the 166-year-old gardens are always in spectacular condition.

This year will see the debut of a never-before-seen begonia flower, with the new colour remaining a closely guarded secret until the festival.  

The brand-new begonia cultivar, which was bred by the Gardens and Nursery team at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, is named after the Gardens’ inaugural curator George Longley.  

To learn more about the new Begonia, follow this link.

Entertainment

Visitors to the 2023 Begonia Festival will no doubt remember being blown away by aerial showstoppers SWAY. The good news is, they are coming back and will launch the world premiere of their new show ‘These Things’.

The entertainment certainly doesn’t stop there, however, with boundless options on offer.

The Begonia Maze, Integra Tiny Town, Sports Zone and Marvellous Minibeasts are just some of the family-friendly highlights.

When it comes to the Main Stage, the line-up of horticultural presentations and cooking demonstrations by television personalities Paul West, Hannah Moloney and Courtney Roulston and resident begonia expert Jerry Coleby-Williams will be sure to entertain and inform.

There will also be an array of live music on offer, with at least seven different acts to take to the stage over the three days.

To learn more about what is on offer to keep you enthralled, visit the entertainment section on the Ballarat Begonia Festival website.

Food and drink

Get ready to eat and drink your way through the Ballarat Begonia Festival.

Food Trucks will be located in two large food court areas within the festival site, open 10am – 5pm daily.

There will be at least 25 different food and drink vendors to ensure you don’t go hungry.

The Begonia Bar will be in a new location this year, close to the South Food Lawn and new music stage. Run by The Western Hotel and Kilderkin Distillery, the bar will have local beverages for everyone to enjoy.

The PowerFM Begonia Festival Parade

The traditional Power FM Begonia Parade will return once again, beginning at 11am on Monday 11 March.  

The parade will start at the South Gardens and travel along Wendouree Parade, concluding at the North Gardens.  

The parade is expected to attract 10,000 spectators as they line both sides of the road to catch a glimpse.

This year’s parade features almost 40 community groups, schools and businesses, promising a vibrant and celebratory procession along Wendouree Parade.

For a full list of entrants, see the Begonia Festival Parade website. 

For more information or to see the full festival program, visit ballaratbegoniafestival.com.