Coinciding with Cultural Diversity Week, the annual celebration began with the colourful Federation University Parade of Nations.

The City of Ballarat’s Intercultural Advisory Committee chair John Philips said the Chinese community linked with the council to run this year’s festival and put on a number of events.

In one of the highlights, the Bendigo and Melbourne Chinese lion teams wowed the crowds with their display of Chinese lion dancing at the Mining Exchange.

“In the past three years there has virtually been a doubling of the crowd each year,” Cr Philips said.

“I think it’s important we continue to do this.”

Cr Philips said with live multicultural performances, food and market stalls and music, there was something for all ages to enjoy.

“It’s Ballarat’s way of acknowledging that we are a multicultural community and we celebrate our cultural diversity,” he said.

“This is our fourth year of Harmony Fest and it is continuing to get better every year.”