Celebrating its sixth year, The City of Ballarat’s Summer Sundays offers performances from local, regional and metropolitan acts covering a wide range of genres.

Councillor Belinda Coates said the popular community event provided an opportunity to showcase local talent and support Ballarat’s live music scene. 

“We’ve adopted a live music strategy - which is about creating a strong reputation of Ballarat as a live music-friendly city and we are keen to look at supporting that scene in any way we can,” she said.

“Summer Sundays is a free event set in the beautiful surrounds of the Botanical Gardens and the time slot from 3pm until 7pm is very family-friendly.”

Cr Coates said it was important for the City of Ballarat to be able to offer free events because they provided a great community atmosphere, but also built on a sense of pride in Ballarat.

“Having opportunities for people who might not usually get out and enjoy live music helps foster appreciation,” she said. “It’s good to have a mix of things on offer.”

The event will kick off this Sunday, January 8, with 16-year-old singer songwriter Anna Oliphant Wright. She won the 2016 FReeZA Ballarat Battle of the Bands and is now taking the country by storm with her unique alternative-country, indie folk and blues style.

Other acts include Melbourne-based rock ‘n soul band The Sugarcanes, jazz and soul group Liana and The Petite Mort offering music from old Hollywood glamour and bluegrass singers The Pigs. 

On Sunday, January 22, another four performers will take to the stage including Elvis Presently performing his take on ‘The King’, multi-award winning blues act John McNamara, Melbourne-based folk singer Leah Senior and ARIA nominated Olympia, who has sold out shows with her debut album Self Talk. 

There will also be a range of food vendors on offer including New York style bagels, Mexican street food, woodfired pizza, artisan gelato and hot beverages.

.