Tourism events grants open

ORGANISERS of events that encourage people to travel and stay in Ballarat are invited to apply for the Tourism Events Grants program.

The next round of applications closes on Friday 31 October and grants of between $5000 and $20,000 are available.

The program has previously supported a range of events, including the Obsidian Dark Beer Festival which provided an opportunity for local breweries to showcase their skills.

Festival director Tom Madden said the grant program assisted the event in its second year.

“The grant support from the City of Ballarat helped us promote the festival to new audiences and showcase the strength of regional Victorian breweries,” he said.

“The support has helped us establish Obsidian as a unique tourism offering that attracts visitors to Ballarat.

“With our second year selling out, the event is now well and truly on the map and is quickly becoming a must-do for dark beer lovers.”

Freestyle Kings will be bringing some of the country’s best freestyle motorcross and BMX athletes to Ballarat in February 2026.

Senior project manager, TEG Sport, Nathan Brown said the grant program is a great initiative.

“It’s not just funding – it’s a chance to collaborate and grow,” he said.

“Partnering with the City adds an extra layer of credibility, as we break into new markets, helping us to reach more people, create a bigger impact, and bring the energy of Freestyle Kings to Ballarat in a way we couldn’t do alone.”

Funding can be used for marketing, infrastructure or venue hire, or initiatives that assist in event growth.

For more information, visit the City of Ballarat website.