Ballarat Harmony Fest

Harmony Fest 2025 in Ballarat was held from Friday 14 March - Thursday 27 March 2025, to celebrate our culturally diverse community and their contributions to society. 

In March 2025, Victoria came together for Cultural Diversity Week, and celebrated  the power, influence, and stories of Victoria's rich multicultural communities. The 2025 Cultural Diversity Week theme invited  us to weave a tapestry of vibrant experiences with "Everyone belongs."

Harmony Day Celebrations, at the Intercultural Garden, followed by a morning tea.

#CulturalDiversityWeek 
#CDW2025
#Everyonebelongs

A free community event, with music, dance, and activities for families and everyone at the Bridge Mall. 

Since it was launched in 2010, Harmony Fest has become the City of Ballarat’s vibrant celebration of diversity.

Harmony Fest wraps around Harmony Day, the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated on 21 March. The day encourages Australians to come together to reflect on and celebrate the many cultures that create our great nation.

Learn more about National Harmony Week

The City of Ballarat is committed to providing an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment for individuals within the community. Please find below a description of the facilities and services that we currently offer. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact Dimitri Dollard, Intercultural Services Officer at dimitridollard@ballarat.vic.gov.au or call 0457 899 714

Accessible parking is available and there are 27 accessible parking spaces in the major carparks and on the roads surrounding the Bridge Mall. They are: 

• Big W carpark - 11
• Coles & Woolworths carpark - 12
• and surrounding roads – 4. 

If you have any concerns, please make contact prior to the event via the telephone number or email provided to discuss further.

Drop off Zone

This is for dropping off only, strictly no parking.

There are two accessible toilets located close the Bridge Mall they are:

Little Bridge Street Car Park

• Little Bridge Street, Ballarat Central
• Left hand transfer
• 135 m

Curtis Street Car Park

• 1-61 Curtis Street, Ballarat Central
• Left hand transfer
• 237 m

Changing place facility available onsite and is located at the entry at Gate 1, right-hand side.

• Adult change table
• Hoist
• Privacy screen
• Shower
• Automatic door

Ballarat Library Changing Place (Near Doveton St entrance) – 1.1 kilometers distance from Bridge Mall

Ballarat Town Hall Adult Change Facility (Bath Lane) – 600 meters distance from Bridge Mall

To navigate Harmony Fest, look for the yellow accessibility signs and the volunteers in bright vests. Main entrances are clearly marked, and directional signage will guide you to the performance area, food stalls, and bathrooms. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask a volunteer.

Harmony Fest Ballarat supports the Hidden Disability Sunflower. The Sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for all abilities. The lanyard is a way for people to indicate to staff that they may need extra support, time, and understanding.

It is ok if you don’t have a lanyard, you can still get help when you need it.

With the major redevelopment of the Bridge Mall there are various surfaces including bitumen, concrete, bluestone blocks, bluestone pavers, and slate pavers all with varying accessibility.

Bitumen pathways along Cutis Street Little Bridge Street; Peel Street; and Grenville Street

Due to bluestone block laneways the most accessible into the Festival is either from Grenville Street or Peel Street. (accessible signs show the way)

Once inside the Bridge Mall there  are two surfaces which are bluestone pavers and slate pavers. The bluestone pavers are accessible and people with mobility issues will be able to move freely. The slate pavers are uneven and may cause some issues for people with mobility issues, help may be needed.

Assistance Animals are permitted entry into the Festival. Patrons are encouraged to display a "Service Animal" or similar identification on the Assistance Animal when visiting the venue. Please bring any necessary supporting documentation.

Green-space area for assistance animals (urination, water etc.) is located at the Norwich Plaza western end of the Bridge Mall

Harmony Fest is considerate of people with sensory needs and can make accommodations if required 

Sound
Music, singing, large crowd. Please feel free to bring noise cancelling headphones if needed.

Sight
Stage lights and other people.

Feel
Changes in ground surfaces, shared personal space and weather.

Smell
Food

The City of Ballarat has developed a Social Story to help guests understand what to expect from the Harmony Fest experience. This may help determine the suitability of the experience and may help to alleviate anxiety. 

Harmony Festival Social Story 2025

• Follow us on Facebook: Harmony Fest (City of Ballarat)
• Email: interculturalservices@ballarat.vic.gov.au