Easter in Ballarat

The Easter long weekend (March 29th – April 1st) in Ballarat will be filled with everything from giant Easter eggs and neon lights to the Gruffalo and music from Aussie icon Missy Higgins.

For a list of who’s open in Ballarat click here.

GIANT EASTER EGGS AND NEON LIGHTS

23 March – 4 April

A colourful display of giant Easter eggs and neon lights will again pop up in the Sturt Street Gardens (opposite the Ballarat Town Hall and Myer).

This Insta-worthy activation will feature:

• 18 neon installations by Melbourne artist Carla O’Brien
• 18 giant eggs painted by Ballarat artist Rebecca Warr
• 5 gold Easter bunnies

Warr’s ‘Eggsquisite Kaleidoscope’ installation is inspired by nature, movement, colour, pattern and shape.

My aim was to produce a giant kaleidoscope of colour that the viewer can step into and become a part of. I want them to enter a magical world where they are drawn into all the tiny details.

Rebecca Warr said.

THE GRUFFALO AT KRYAL CASTLE

29 March – 14 April

Beloved children’s book character the Gruffalo will take centre stage at Kryal Castle this Easter.

Venture deep into the heart of childhood fantasy with special live appearances, hands-on art activities plus unforgettable photo sessions.

AUTUMN FESTIVITIES AT SOVEREIGN HILL

29 March – 14 April

Step back in time at Sovereign Hill, which will be open 10am-5pm daily throughout the Easter long weekend.

Think candle-making workshops, coin press demonstrations, seasonal sweets, plus your chance to find a $500 gold nugget.

MISSY HIGGINS AT CIVIC HALL

29 March

Missy Higgins is celebrating 20 years since the release of her trailblazing debut album The Sound Of White with “an anniversary tour with a difference”.

The Second Act Tour’s now sold-out Ballarat show will take to the stage at Civic Hall on Good Friday at 6.30pm.

Higgins’ first set will include some brand new songs, plus a few fan favourites from early in her career, all played in stripped back, acoustic mode. The Aussie singer/songwriter will then return with her full band to perform The Sound Of White in its entirety, plus some of her other hits.

MORE BALLARAT ATTRACTIONS

• Sovereign Hill’s sound and light show AURA (8.45pm every night over the long weekend)
• Ballarat Wildlife Park (9am-5pm daily)
• Kryal Castle (10am-4pm daily)
• Ballarat Bird World (10am-5pm daily)
• Maze House (10am-4pm daily)
• Creswick Woollen Mills (10am-5pm daily) plus the Easter Celebration at the Mill

AUTUMN EXHIBITIONS

Head to the historic Art Gallery of Ballarat and take a wander around these free exhibitions:

• Nan Goldin: The Ballad of Sexual Dependency
• Scotty So: Queen of Begonias and Hai Kot Tou
• Georgia MacGuire: Onemda
• Next Gen

MORE THINGS TO DO THIS EASTER

• Good Friday seafood degustation at Black Cat Truffles (Friday 29 March from 12pm-4pm)
• Open day at GOR Woollen Mill (Saturday 30 March from 10am-2pm)
• Wootten’s Ballarat flagship store will be open Easter Saturday from 10am-4pm
• Explorer Masterclass at Itinerant Spirits (Saturday 30 March and Sunday 31 March at 12pm and 2pm)
• Ruby Pilven’s Ross Creek Gallery will be open Good Friday to Easter Sunday from 11am-4pm
• Blackwood Easter Woodchop and Carnival at the Blackwood Recreation Reserve (Saturday 30 March from 10am-6pm)