Right, we survived the winter menu of hot chocs and pies? So, what's up next? This spring sees Ballarat's creative and music scene kicking into high gear and a whole lot more outdoor fun to fill your calendar.
From a local art trail to legendary live music, it is time to come out of hibernation and make the most of the season.
From FOOTY to FRINGE
Football returns to Mars Stadium on Saturday 3 October with the AFLW Round 8 Western Bulldogs v St Kilda. There will be activations taking place around the concourse for footy fans of all ages. If you have kids in tow for the game, don't miss Australia's biggest inflatable obstacle course, a block south at Ballarat Showgrounds (3-5 October).
Country music fans will be boot-scooting over to Victoria Park on 10 October, with Ballarat is one of just three Australian cities to host modern country music festival Strummingbird in 2026 – and the only Victorian location.
Our cultural venues, Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat and Civic Hall, have an iconic line-up for spring, including Kate Ceberano (19 Nov), Spiderbait (6 Nov) and JET (13 Nov). The 2026 Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod also culminates in its premier showcase event on Sunday 25 October.
As if October wasn't stacked enough, Melbourne Fringe Festival will bring its unique platform for independent arts to Ballarat for the first time. Fringe Encore: Ballarat will see eight boundary-pushing shows across town staggered over four days. The line-up for 22-25 October includes drag parody play Fountain Lakes: Y2K, immersive circus and food experience Degustation, comedian Sammy J and more. There's even a guy singing the same song for an hour straight on stage (sorry, you'll have to book tickets to find out what song it is!).
Coming up in early December, Untrained by Lucy Guerin Inc will see four men take to the stage, two highly skilled and experienced dancers and two Ballarat locals with zero movement training. Come and support your hometown heroes as they push themselves out of the comfort zone.
LOVE YOUR LOCAL
For a burst of spring colour, check out the Ballarat In the Know Art Trail, with nine large scale artworks gracing exterior walls across the city from 19 September to 25 October.
One of the artists from the trail, Brigid Corcoran, will also be staging her first solo exhibition Bush Royalty in Art Space Ballarat (14 Lydiard Street North). Repurposing paper images of cities, landscapes, fashion and culture into familiar scenes of the Australian bush, this free exhibition will be on display for 1-28 November.
On Sunday 6 December, Eureka Sunday Community Day will be a celebration for the whole family, including balance play, face painting, story-time and talks up close with the Eureka Flag. Comedian Sean Choolburra will be bringing his boundless energy and big laughs to the Eureka Centre with two performances at 10.30am and 1pm. This special community event follows on from the Eureka Stockade Memorial Service and Eureka Day commemorative ceremony, on Thursday 3 December, the 172nd anniversary of the Eureka Stockade.
GO BEYOND BALLARAT
Now that the weather is warming up (sort of), it is time to strike out beyond Ballarat and into our neighbouring regions for special events and fresh harvests.
Step into a bygone era at the 128th Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally, featuring 65 display sheds packed full of historic steam-powered machines, car displays, radio-controlled boats, blacksmithing and more.
31 October – 1 November
Green thumbs will enjoy a spring excursion to the goldrush town of Creswick for the annual Garden Lovers Weekend (7–8 November). Now in its 11th year, explore private gardens and meet their masters. There's also a monster plant sale on the Saturday and Flower Show featuring exhibits, floral art and a scarecrow challenge.
The Trail Run Wine Running Weekend (14-15 November) will see runners make their way through the vine-filled corridors of Mount Avoca Winery and Blue Pyrenees Estate, and along rugged forested ridge lines in the Pyrenees wine-growing region. Pick your own distance, from a 1.6km sprint under the stars to a 42km marathon where you'll be handed a specially engraved wine glass to mark your epic effort. Saturday’s courses even feature a mid-race cheese and wine aid station – cheers to that!
The Victorian Medieval Festival returns to Kryal Castle 21–22 November for a weekend of historical re-enactment and family fun. Explore a bustling medieval village, watch thrilling massed battles, birds of prey displays and the jousting tournament. Young adventurers can enrol in Knight School or try their hand at archery and potion making.
The castle is also hosting the popular Ballarat Rodeo on Sat 28 November. It'll be an electrifying night of cowboys and cowgirls testing their mettle out at Warrenheip. Yeehaw.
TO MARKET TO MARKET...AND OTHER FARM FRESH PICKS
Indulge in the freshest fruits of the region at the Bacchus Marsh Strawberry and Cherry Festival (13–15 November). Bring the family along for fruit picking, carnival rides, delectable CWA Devonshire teas and an indoor makers’ market. Plus, there’s a fireworks display on the Saturday night to celebrate the new growing season.
The Avoca Riverside Market provides a snapshot of the Pyrenees wine region in a tranquil setting. Around 40 stalls showcase the wine, artisan wares, plants and locally grown produce of the region on the 4th Sunday of each month. For spring, that's 27 September, 25 October and 22 November.
Buninyong Village Market is held on the 5th Saturday of the month, which means it is a less regular (occurring 4-5 x per year) than other local markets. This makes it a unique afternoon treat, offering a slower-paced experience showcasing a mix of local makers, designers and small businesses. The next market and the last for this year will be Saturday 31 October, 1-5pm.
And don’t miss SpringFest Ballarat Market Sunday on 29 November, which brings more than 450 stalls to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens precinct, making it the city’s biggest annual market.
And one final tasty reminder: Payne's Orchards in Bacchus Marsh will reopen in November for fruit picking, with the seasonal shoulder bringing cherries to our tables. And you know they're fresh if you picked them yourself!
Looking for more family-friendly picks? Check out the What's On calendar for spring school holiday fun and all the latest events.
