{"id":120338,"date":"2026-05-15T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/?p=120338"},"modified":"2026-05-15T04:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:00:00","slug":"the-2026-ballarat-heritage-festival-full-program-reveals-four-days-of-hidden-histories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/news\/the-2026-ballarat-heritage-festival-full-program-reveals-four-days-of-hidden-histories\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2026 Ballarat Heritage Festival full program reveals four days of Hidden Histories"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>THE 2026 festival explores the cultural forces that have shaped Ballarat, from the world&#8217;s oldest continuing culture and gold rush migration through to the communities shaping the city today.<\/p>\n<p>With the full program now live, the festival features a diverse line-up of exhibitions, heritage experiences, steam train journeys, historic precinct tours, antiques, competitions and more, inviting audiences to experience Ballarat&#8217;s history from new perspectives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ballarat Revealed:<\/strong> Hidden Histories, Shared Together<\/p>\n<p>Transforming the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange into a space dedicated to the city&#8217;s layered past, the exhibition will flow from the main space into specially curated booths, each presenting a distinct moment, community or perspective from Ballarat&#8217;s history, pairing personal narratives with wider historical chapters.<\/p>\n<p>Taking centre stage will be a large-scale replica of Ballarat&#8217;s 1901 Chinese Arch, first erected to welcome visiting dignitaries and a striking reminder of the Chinese communities who played a vital role in shaping the region during the gold rush. Within the Mining Exchange, a dedicated First Nations exhibition space will present stories of Country and culture from the Wadawurrung people, Traditional Owners of the Ballarat region.<\/p>\n<p>When: 21 &#8211; 24 May, 10am-5pm<\/p>\n<p>Where: Ballarat Mining Exchange<\/p>\n<p>Price: Free entry<\/p>\n<p>Returning Favourites: Ballarat Antique Fair<\/p>\n<p>The Ballarat Civic Hall will host the 55th Ballarat Antiques Fair with 28 premier antique dealers from five states, offering a diverse selection of furniture, jewellery, glassware, silver, artworks, objets d&#8217;art and ceramics.<\/p>\n<p>When: 22-24 May<\/p>\n<p>Where: Ballarat Civic Hall<\/p>\n<p>Price: $12 &#8211; $15 entry with items available for purchase<\/p>\n<p><strong>Heritage Harvest Weekend<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A vibrant celebration of regional flavour will return to Sovereign Hill on 23\u201324 May, shining a spotlight on Ballarat&#8217;s community of producers, makers and artisans.<\/p>\n<p>Headlining the weekend is award-winning author and renowned food personality Alice Zaslavsky, joined by local toastie expert Tim Bone and Herald Sun Food and Wine Editor Kara Monssen.<\/p>\n<p>Visitors can explore a lively marketplace filled with handcrafted goods and gourmet delights, take part in hands-on workshops designed for all ages, and enjoy a program of live cooking demonstrations featuring leading chefs, bakers and artisans from Ballarat and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>When: 23 &amp; 24 May, 10am to 5pm<\/p>\n<p>Where: Sovereign Hill<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30038\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30038\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/HiResforPrintTonyEva_67878.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">See the city&#8217;s charming streetscapes, notable landmarks and grand architecture from a horse-drawn carriage. Photo: City of Ballarat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ballarat Beard and Stache Competition<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Entrants can show off their grooming game at the 10th annual Ballarat Beard and Stache Competition on Saturday 23 May at Hop Temple. It&#8217;s free to enter, with great prizes up for grabs.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, don&#8217;t miss the Dog Beard and Stache Competition, also at Hop Temple on Sunday 24 May.<\/p>\n<p>Pups rocking a serious beard or a killer outfit will be in the draw for some epic prizes.<\/p>\n<p>When: Saturday 23 May<\/p>\n<p>Where: Hop Temple, Ballarat CBD<\/p>\n<p>Free registration: <a href=\"http:\/\/beardcomp.com.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beardcomp.com.auVintage<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Car Show<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Step back in time with a striking showcase of classic cars along Camp Street, celebrating more than 120 years of automotive history.<\/p>\n<p>Saturday May 23 highlights vehicles and machinery from the 1900s through to the early 1930s, with a mix of static displays and working demonstrations bringing this formative era to life.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday May 24 shifts focus to rare and distinctive models from the late 1930s to the 1980s, featuring Australian-built classics alongside iconic finned designs, American imports and standout European marques.<\/p>\n<p>When: 23 &amp; 24 May, 10am to 4pm<\/p>\n<p>Where: Camp Street, Ballarat CBD<\/p>\n<p><strong>Steam Train Rides<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Steamrail Victoria will rekindle the romance of rail travel in Ballarat across 23\u201324 May, with heritage steam train shuttle rides operating throughout the festival weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Visitors can step aboard for an 18-kilometre journey to the charming township of Yendon. After a brief stop just beyond the town, the train returns to Ballarat Station, offering a memorable contrast as it passes modern V\/Line services on approach.<\/p>\n<p>For those looking to arrive in true 1920s style, one-way heritage services will also run between Melbourne and Ballarat.<\/p>\n<p>When: 23 &amp; 24 May<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30038\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30038\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/BallaratHeritageFest_67898.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Step back in time amongst a striking showcase of classic cars, celebrating more than 120 years of automotive history. Photo: City of Ballarat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Horse &amp; Carriage Rides<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Experience Ballarat&#8217;s historic precinct from a unique vantage point with a leisurely horse and carriage ride. Travelling at a gentle pace, visitors can take in the city&#8217;s charming streetscapes, notable landmarks and grand architecture.<\/p>\n<p>When: 21 &#8211; 24 May<\/p>\n<p>Time: Departing hourly between 10am &#8211; 5pm<\/p>\n<p>Where: Ballarat Town Hall<\/p>\n<p><strong>Delicious Additions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Aunty Jacks Heritage Beer Paddle: Enjoy a curated tasting paddle that traces the evolution of global beer styles and their influence on Ballarat&#8217;s brewing heritage, pairing each pour with Stories that bring this rich history to life.<\/p>\n<p>Let it Rise &#8211; The History of Baking in Ballarat: Explore Ballarat&#8217;s rich breadmaking heritage, from Wadawurrung traditions to gold rush-era bakeries, through storytelling, live demonstrations and tastings that reveal bread&#8217;s enduring significance.<\/p>\n<p>Hidden Histories of Ballarat Distilling: Kilderkin Distillery presents an immersive experience uncovering Ballarat&#8217;s early distilling history, blending storytelling, guided tours and tastings to reveal the characters and craft behind Victoria&#8217;s first licensed whisky and gin.<\/p>\n<p>Craig&#8217;s Royal Hotel Building Tour and Devonshire Tea: With rare access to hidden spaces, uncover Craig&#8217;s Royal Hotel&#8217;s rich history spanning local legends to ghost stories, before concluding with a traditional Devonshire tea.<\/p>\n<p><strong>New Exhibitions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Night at the Museum: An after-dark museum experience invites visitors to explore the Sebastopol Historical Society&#8217;s exhibits and historic 1875 schoolhouse, uncovering hidden stories and heritage displays by an eerie, autumn glow.<\/p>\n<p>Little Figures, Long Shadows: A series of 3D-printed busts honours ten LGBTIQA+ figures connected to Ballarat, celebrating their diverse lives and legacies through an exhibition produced at the Ballarat Library Maker Space.<\/p>\n<p>Ken Searle&#8217;s 1998 Painting of Ballarat: Through a unique research project and partnership with Australian National University, Federation University and the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the Eureka Centre presents Ken Searles&#8217; monumental painting, Ballarat 1998.<\/p>\n<p>The Photographic Work of Bon Strange: Explore familiar landscapes through the creative lens of Ballarat local, Bon Strange, in the late 1930&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BALLARAT HERITAGE FESTIVAL<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When: 21-24 May 2026<\/p>\n<p>Where: Various sites, venues and locations across Ballarat<\/p>\n<p>Tickets and info: <a href=\"http:\/\/ballaratheritagefestival.com.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ballaratheritagefestival.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\/\/SPONSORED CONTENT<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THE 2026 festival explores the cultural forces that have shaped Ballarat, from the world&#8217;s oldest continuing culture and gold rush migration through to the communities shaping the city today. With the full program now live, the festival features a diverse line-up of exhibitions, heritage experiences, steam train journeys, historic precinct tours, antiques, competitions and more, [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/news\/the-2026-ballarat-heritage-festival-full-program-reveals-four-days-of-hidden-histories\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":120339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-120338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The 2026 Ballarat Heritage Festival full program reveals four days of Hidden Histories - 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