If you’ve ever wanted to see vintage aircraft, hear stories from a world-renowned photographer, AND marvel at beards that belong in a museum—all in one week—you’re in luck.
The Ballarat Heritage Festival is back and with the theme “Heritage Unfolds, Entertainment Awaits…”, this year’s festival isn’t just about dusting off the past. It’s about diving headfirst into it—joy rides, live music, beard competitions and all.
Ballarat Heritage Festival
- When: Friday 16 to Sunday 25 May
- Where: Various locations across Ballarat
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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One of the standout events this year is Entertainment of the Air at Ballarat Airport (17 & 18 May). If you’ve got even the slightest fascination with planes, prepare to have your inner aviation nerd fully activated.
You can take a joy ride in a vintage aircraft (yes, seriously), catch a live performance from retro-swing legends The Pacific Belles, snap a selfie with a classic DC-3 aircraft and get swept up in ‘Legends of the Air’, a theatrical tribute to aviation greats.
Best part? Most of it is free. Tickets for the musical are dropping soon here, and they won’t last long.
For the deep thinkers and photo lovers out there, Heritage Conversations: A Life in Photos – John Gollings is your go-to. Held at the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute and hosted by Open House Melbourne, this intimate talk dives into the career of one of Australia’s most iconic architectural photographers.
From snapping shots with a Box Brownie as a kid to documenting the grand designs of Ballarat and beyond, Gollings’ work tells the story of our built world.
Crowd Favourites are Back, Baby
What’s a Ballarat Heritage Festival without its beloved classics?
Ballarat Beard & Stache Competition (Saturday 24 May at Hop Temple) – Bring your best bristles and battle for beard-based bragging rights.
Vintage Car Show – Cruise down Lydiard Street for a walk through automotive history. It’s chrome, it’s classic, and it’s free.
Ballarat Antique Fair – Held at the Civic Hall, this treasure trove is perfect for collectors, decorators, or anyone who’s ever said, “They just don’t make things like they used to.”
So, whether you’re an aviation buff, a history nut, or just someone looking for a good excuse to eat food truck snacks while staring at old cars, Ballarat Heritage Festival 2025 has your May sorted.
Mark the dates, rally your crew, and come celebrate the past like never before. Because in Ballarat, history doesn’t just repeat itself—it parties
