Mayor's Message - Friday 16 May 2025

Without question one of our city’s key attractions is our rich heritage. Residents are proud of it, visitors admire it and every year in May, we all come together to celebrate it.

Today marks the first day of the 2025 Ballarat Heritage Festival – a 10-day celebration where history and culture come to life.

The flagship event of this year’s festival is Entertainment of the Air – a spectacular display of aviation that will thrill enthusiasts and families alike.

Based at the Ballarat Airport, patrons can engage in live music from the 1940s, view vintage photographs, tour museums and exhibitions, and even book a chartered vintage aircraft joy ride.

Our historic train station will again be centre stage for the popular steam locomotives. Wave to the Ballarat locals as you step back in time aboard The Vintage Train, travelling to Yendon and back. Or experience regional travel 1920’s style with one-way trains operating between Melbourne and Ballarat.

Craft Lab at the Ballarat Mining Exchange is a celebration of traditional artisanal skills coupled with contemporary flair. Visitors can meet and talk with practitioners of traditional trades, all of whom are willing and available to share the secrets of their skills.
Sovereign Hill is serving up something special at their annual Heritage Harvest Weekend. Experience a feast of local flavours and creativity, celebrating the best of our region’s food producers, makers and artisans. Let the little ones get creative with hands-on craft sessions, and see traditional skills come to life in live demonstrations.

Many of the city’s beloved bars and restaurants are serving up food and drinks inspired by the history of our city and the people that helped make it thrive.

With such an extensive list of tours, exhibitions, workshops, shows, food and drink, it is clear to see just how well we embrace our rich heritage and preserve our links to the gold rush era. As our Community Vision states, Ballarat is Victoria’s heritage city.

Visit ballaratheritagefestival.com.au for the full program of events and start planning how you and your family will celebrate our city's history.