Hidden Histories take centre stage at 2026 Ballarat Heritage Festival

Get ready to uncover the stories behind Ballarat as the Ballarat Heritage Festival returns with a refreshed format and an expanded program across four exciting days of events.

The countdown is now on for Ballarat’s signature autumn event, with the festival running from 21-24 May, marking a shift to a four-day program designed to deliver a more concentrated and accessible experience.

This year’s theme, Hidden Histories, invites visitors to explore the lesser-known stories, characters and moments that have shaped the city, bringing new perspectives to familiar places.  

A major centrepiece of the 2026 program will be Ballarat Revealed: Hidden Histories, Shared Together at the historic Mining Exchange where visitors can step inside one of Ballarat’s most iconic buildings and experience a free immersive exhibition uncovering stories often hidden from view.

At its centre is a significant Chinese heritage element, including the installation of a large-scale replica of the 1901 Chinese Arch. Originally erected to welcome visiting royalty, it symbolises the deep and lasting presence of Chinese communities on the goldfields.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the 2026 program offers a compelling opportunity to experience Ballarat in a new way.  

“The Ballarat Revealed exhibition is a standout, giving people the chance to connect with stories that have shaped our city in powerful and unexpected ways,” she said.  

Across the four days, the city will host a diverse lineup of events spanning exhibitions, tours, performances and interactive experiences.  

Returning favourites will once again feature strongly across the program, including steam train rides, vintage car show, Ballarat Antiques Fair and Beard and Stache Competition, to name a few.

Cr Hargreaves said she encourages people to look beyond the surface and discover the people and stories that are often overlooked but are just as important to Ballarat’s story.  

The full program is now available, with visitors encouraged to plan ahead and secure tickets for popular events.  

With thousands of attendees expected across the four days, the Ballarat Heritage Festival continues to be a key driver of visitation and economic activity for the region.

For more information and to view the full program, visit ballaratheritagefestival.com.au. 

2026 Ballarat Heritage Festival Highlights

Ballarat Revealed: Hidden Histories, Shared Together: A free exhibition at the Ballarat Mining Exchange that explores the city’s history through the voices, experiences and contributions of its diverse communities, uncovering stories often overlooked or hidden in plain sight. Featuring immersive installations and a striking large-scale recreation of a historic Chinese arch, the exhibition offers a fresh, layered perspective on Ballarat’s evolving identity within one of the city’s most iconic heritage buildings.

Ballarat Antique Fair: The 55th Ballarat Antique Fair, held at Civic Hall, brings together an exceptional collection of antiques and collectables from 28 quality dealers across five states. Featuring furniture, jewellery, ceramics, artworks, sterling silver and more, the fair offers a chance to browse and purchase unique pieces that showcase craftsmanship, history and timeless appeal. This is a ticketed event.

Steam Train Rides: Steamrail Victoria will operate historic steam train experiences, featuring locomotives running shuttle services from Ballarat to the country town of Yendon. Visitors can also enjoy a steam train journey between Melbourne and Ballarat, offering a rare chance to experience regional rail travel in authentic 1920s style. Bookings are required.

Vintage Car Show: Transforming Ballarat’s historic Camp Street precinct into an open-air celebration of automotive history. Presented by the Vintage and Classic Car Club Ballarat, this much-loved event showcases an impressive collection of locally owned automobiles spanning the last 120 years.

Factory Day 1916: Ballarat Engine and Machinery Preservation Society will host an exhibition of Ballarat manufactured engines and machinery from a century ago, to showcase the original Ballarat Factory Day stage in 1916. Featuring working Ballarat-made internal combustion engines and an operational Cowley Steam Roller, the display brings to life the ingenuity and industrial pride that defined Ballarat’s manufacturing era.

Heritage Harvest Weekend at Sovereign Hill: Celebrate a feast of local flavour and creativity, showcasing the very best of the region's producers and makers. Featuring live cooking demonstrations, market stalls, hands-on activities and fireside feasts, the weekend also includes entry to Sovereign Hill with access to its iconic experiences, from gold panning to live shows. Tickets are required.

Beard and Stache Competition: Celebrating its 10-year anniversary as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, the Beard and Stache Competition brings together some of the country’s finest facial hair for a lively and light-hearted showdown. With multiple competition categories, cash prizes, live entertainment, craft beverages and market stalls, the event offers fun for competitors and spectators alike in a festive celebration of beard and moustache culture.

Let it Rise – The History of Baking in Ballarat: From ancient Wadawurrung food traditions to the bustling bakery culture of today, this lively and hands on event uncovers Ballarat's long relationship with bread. Featuring live bread making, tastings and traditional baking songs, this interactive experience celebrates the city's past while recognising its thriving contemporary baking scene and regional connections to Victorian wheat country. Bookings are required.

What’s on at Ballarat Town Hall

Voices of Ballarat – A Heritage Collection: The Community Hub is a welcoming festival space that brings together a curated selection of Ballarat’s historical and cultural organisations, highlighting the people, places and stories that shape the region. Visitors can meet passionate volunteers, explore unique collections and enjoy short presentations that showcase the diverse perspectives and year-round work behind preserving Ballarat’s heritage.

Town Hall Day Tours: Step through the doors of the Ballarat Town Hall and check in with one of the knowledgeable Hall Keepers, ready to assist with any questions and to share insights about the Town Hall and its historic rooms.

Town Hall After Dark Tours: The Ballarat Town Hall is not only one of the most iconic structures in Ballarat’s historical architectural landscape but also a building steeped in a rich history of unusual and uncanny events. Explore this magnificent facility after dark like never before with dark history research expert, Nathaniel Buchanan. Bookings are required.

Coburn Collection: A rare and newly preserved archive of architectural drawings by renowned Ballarat architect Herbert Leslie Coburn, offering an intimate glimpse into the city’s built heritage. Digitised by the City of Ballarat, the exhibition showcases Coburn’s creative journey, from early sketches to refined designs, highlighting his influence on Ballarat’s homes, civic buildings and an ambitious unrealised vision for a new civic centre.

Horse and Carriage Rides: Experience Ballarat’s heritage precinct from a unique perspective with a relaxed horse and carriage ride. Travelling at a gentle pace, you’ll have the chance to take in the city’s historic streetscapes, landmarks and impressive architecture in a way you won’t experience on foot.  

What’s on at Eureka Centre

Mothers, Minors and Madness: The Hidden Lives of Women and Children of the Goldfields: Historian Jacqui Sanders and heritage expert Trevor Budge AM reveal the hidden lives of women and children on the Victorian Goldfields. They will share stories of mothers and children who shaped goldfields society and whose memories remain embedded in our historical cultural landscapes. Includes complimentary afternoon tea.  

‘How to Tell Your Family Story’ with Jonathan Butler: A two-hour public workshop with Jonathan Butler that will teach you how to narrate the story of your family history.

Unsung: Reimagining Folksongs from the Victorian Goldfields: Join local musicians Hap Hayward, Freya Josephine Hollick, and Phil and Trudy Edgeley, as they present a rollicking in-the-round performance of unsung folk songs from the Victorian Goldfields. Bookings are required.  

Visit the Eureka Centre website for more information on these events.