The Ballarat Botanical Gardens will transform into a vibrant oasis on Labour Day weekend in March for the annual Ballarat Begonia Festival, celebrating the beauty of begonias, sustainability and community spirit.
Costa, an interactive performance installation, thousands of begonias and lots of free family fun at the vibrant Ballarat Botanical Gardens, check out the full program!
Ballarat Botanical Gardens
- When: Saturday 8 – Monday 10 March, 10am to 5pm
- Where: Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Ballarat
- Price:FREE entry with food, drink, wares and experiences available to purchase
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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This year’s highlights include The Last Numbat, a magical interactive performance installation, main stage headliners including Costa Georgiadis and Ballarat’s own Liam Downes, and a beautiful, romantic display of more than 500 rare and unique begonia varieties.
The Last Numbat
Witness the magic of Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s interactive performance installation, The Last Numbat. This large-scale marionette, controlled by up to 14 participants at a time, will enchant audiences with its message of connection, community and environmental awareness.
This will be the first time The Last Numbat will be seen on Australia’s east coast.
Main Stage highlights
The beloved environmental educator, landscape architect and TV personality returns with his infectious enthusiasm, presenting talks on sustainable gardening and connecting with nature.
The environmental educator will share her unconventional approach to gardening, inspiring creativity and resourcefulness.
Proud Bundjalung woman and MasterChef Australia alumna will showcase indigenous ingredients and dishes, sharing her passion for food, country and culture.
One of Ballarat’s most lauded chefs will demonstrate his paddock-to-plate philosophy, highlighting the region’s culinary delights.
The passionate gardener and award-winning presenter will be the Main Stage’s Master of Ceremonies across the weekend.
But wait, there’s more!
Begonia Display
Immerse yourself in the romantic ambience of the begonia display at the Robert Clark Conservatory, featuring thousands of beautiful begonias including more than 500 rare and unique varieties, complemented by fragrant lavender and lush greenery. This year, the free display will be open longer for flower lovers to really get their begonia fix!
Garden of Giggles
Enjoy a series of free puppet and comedy shows, roving entertainment and interactive workshops designed to delight families.
Gardeners Market
Discover a treasure trove of plants, flowers and garden gifts from a large line-up of market stall holders including begonia plant sales.
Family Fun
Explore a range of free activities including Integra Tiny Town, horticultural workshops, rock climbing, a sports zone, giant garden games and Trash Puppet workshops.
Snail Trail
Embark on a scavenger hunt through the gardens to find 10 unique snail sculptures crafted by Victorian artist, Tim Read.
Indulge in local wines, beers and spirits at The Begonia Bar, and savour culinary delights from a variety of food trucks.
PowerFM Ballarat Begonia Parade
The grand finale on Monday 10 March will feature a vibrant procession of community groups, schools and businesses celebrating the spirit of the festival.
Check the full program out here, and enjoy the flowery festivities!