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School Holiday events
Sovereign Hill
Take the kids on a trip to the gold fields these school holidays, as Sovereign Hill is chock full of events for the entire family.
Enjoy participating in gold rush-inspired activities, and come and see the animals on display, including Mary-Kate and Ashley, the outdoor museum’s two miniature pigs.
If something a little darker is more your style, take part in Sovereign Hill’s lamplight tours, and interact with the ‘locals’.
Tickets: Free for children (under five), $25.60 for children (five to 15 years old), $45.60 for concession, $57 for adults, $144 for families (two adults and up to four children).
More info here.
Kryal Castle
Medieval activities aplenty will be on offer these school holidays at Kryal Castle.
Bring the kids to see the castle’s knights compete in the joust, and mounted skills at arms.
Performances, pony rides, workshops, and other activities will be available throughout the day that the kids will love.
Tickets: $22 for children (four to 16 years old), $28 for concession, $35 for adults, $99 for for families (two adults and two children).
More info here.
Ballarat Wildlife Park
Come see meerkats, penguins, wombats, and a whole bunch more animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park.
The park is full of things to do, see, and learn, while getting up close with some of nature’s most beautiful creatures.
Tickets: $19.50 for children (five to 15 years old), $29 for concession, $35 for adults, and $95 for families (two adults and up to four children).
More info here.
BOAA: Biennale Of Australian Art
Week three of largest showcase of living art is on display right here in Ballarat.
BOAA 2018 is about telling intricate stories about Australia’s past, present, and future through art.
This years exhibition will have a strong aboriginal focus, as well as celebrating the counties multiculturalism.
Tickets: $15 per day or $25 for a festival pass (prices may range throughout different exhibitions).
READ MORE: Utensils find new life in BOAA artworks.
More info here.
Pride and Prejudice at the Courthouse Theatre
Audiences are set to be sent back in time by the Ballarat National Treasure’s performance of the Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice.
Already proving very popular with the Ballarat crowd, as last week’s Saturday’s performance sold out, be sure to snag tickets before they follow suit.
More info here.
Friday
Oktoberfest at the Ballarat & District Trotting Club
Come down to enjoy a sausage and a beer at the Ballarat & District Trotting Club’s Oktoberfest themed dinner.
The night will include a three course meal, and an evening of trotting good fun.
When: 4pm
Where: Bray Raceway Bell St, Redan.
Tickets: Pay at the event.
Light the Night
The Leukaemia Foundation's is hosting a beautiful evening lantern walk, where locals can come together and shine a light on blood cancer.
Lanters will be raised into the sky in a ceremony paying tribute to those facing their own blood cancer journey and to remember loved ones lost.
When: 5.30pm
Where: Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground, Wendouree Parade, Wendouree.
Tickets: Free
Aled Jones – Believe
Formerly one of the worlds best soprano’s Aled Jones will be performing his new album, Believe.
Jones has previously hosted the popular TV series’ ‘Songs Of Praise’ and ‘Escape To The Country’ and will be bringing his powerful voice to St Patrick’s Cathedral.
When: 6:30pm
Where: 3 Lyons St South, Ballarat Central
Tickets: $53.50 for concession, $58.75 for adults.
Federation University’s Arts Academy presents Chicago
The graduating Third Year Music Theatre Company of the Arts Academy, Federation University Australia will continue their performances of ‘Chicago’, after selling out their opening night.
The production, set in prohibition-era Chicago, has graced the stages around the world.
When: 7.30pm
Where: Helan Macpherson Smith Theatre, Lydiard St N, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: $8 for FedUni Students, $22 for concession, $30 for adults.
‘The Michael Westlake Trio’ at The Lost Ones
The funky trio will be continuing their residency downstairs at ‘The Lost Ones’.
Fans of swing and jazz should be sure to make it to the gig.
When: 7:30pm-9:30pm
Where: 14 Camp St, Ballarat Central
Tickets: Free
The Outdoor Type at The Eastern Hotel
Melbourne six-piece ‘The Outdoor Type’ are ready to get The Eastern crowd moving with their Australiana guitar-pop.
After their ‘Perspectives’ EP received a healthy heaping of praise from radio DJs around the country, the band is getting ready to release their debut album.
When: 8pm
Where: 81 Humffray St N, Ballarat East.
Tickets: $11.25
This event is 18+
The Ascended at Karova Lounge
Warrnambool metal heads ‘The Ascended’ are prepared to melt some faces with their high octane guitars and lightning fast drums.
The four-piece got together in 2014 and have been shredding around the country ever since.
When: 8pm
Where: 15 Field St, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: $10 at the door
Luxville REDUX Film Screening
As part of BOAA, the first four episodes of Erin M McCuskey’s heart child “Luxville” will be screened at St Andrew’s Kirk.
Luxville is a cinematic experience of new screen arts that tell the story of a revolution within Ballarat.
When: 9pm
Where: 502 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: BOAA day pass
MissBehavin’ at Irish Murphy’s
If you feel like seeing a band that will play a 1960s bop, and follow it up with a mid-2000s banger, MissBehavin’ is the group for you!
The six-piece will be grooving all night long at Irish Murphy’s.
When: 9.30pm
Where: 36 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: Free.
Saturday
Bridge Mall Farmers Market
Shop amazing organic local produce, peruse unique giftware, and try the delicious food stalls at the Bridge Mall Farmers Market.
When: 9am-1pm
Where: The Bridge Mall, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: Free
Ballarat Produce Swap
Come enjoy Ballarat’s monthly community swap.
Nothing is available for purchase, so bring some produce you’re willing to part with and get something in return.
When: 9.30am-11.30am
Where: Ballarat Community Garden, Dyte Parade, Ballarat East.
Tickets: Free
PopCon
Ballarat’s biggest pop-culture event returns this Saturday, as Sonika presents PopCon.
The all-ages, drug, smoke, and alcohol free event is encouraging locals to come down and geek out for the afternoon.
When: 10am-5pm
Where: Eastwood Leisure Complex, 20 Eastwood St, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: Gold coin donation.
Jazz & Paella in the Pyrenees
Join the Summerfield family for their half-yearly Paella event.
‘The Maryborough Jazz Ensemble’ will be performing throughout the day, so come down with a chair and enjoy a day of great food, wine, and music.
When: 12pm-5pm
Where: Summerfield Winery, Moonambel.
Tickets: $30 (including food and entertainment).
Federation University’s Arts Academy presents Chicago
The graduating Third Year Music Theatre Company of the Arts Academy, Federation University Australia will continue their performances of ‘Chicago’, after selling out their opening night.
The production, set in prohibition-era Chicago, has graced the stages around the world.
When: 2pm and 7.30pm
Where: Helan Macpherson Smith Theatre, Lydiard St N, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: $8 for FedUni Students, $22 for concession, $30 for adults.
Ballarat Chamber Opera presents Handel's Semele
Under the expert baton of conductor Helen Duggan, the Ballarat Chamber Opera will be boldly presenting Handel's Semele as part of an ‘October Oratorio Offering’.
When: 7.30-9.45pm
Where: Cathedral Church of Christ the King, 49 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: $30.
GANGZ single launch at The Eastern Hotel
The self described “URBAN COWBOY SURF ROCK BAND” is ready to debut their new single ‘Whippy Shakes’ this Saturday at The Eastern Hotel.
When: 8pm
Where: 81 Humffray St N, Ballarat East.
Tickets: At the door.
Sunnyside at Karova Lounge
Fresh of the release of their debut LP ‘Body Heat’, Sunnyside has got together a few mates to put on a groovy show this Saturday.
Zoë Fox and the Rocket Clocks and Wax Nomads will be joining those sunny boys, which should ensure a fun night for all.
When: 9pm
Where: 15 Field St, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: $13.30.
Sunday
Sunday Tourist Market
The Maryborough Lions Club will be holding a community market to help support those in need.
Come down and check out all the stalls in hope of finding something you love.
When: 8am-1pm
Where: Maryborough CBD
Tickets: Free
The Spoils at The Lost Ones
Sean Simmons and Bronwyn Henderson will be jamming out with their band ‘The Spoils’ this Sunday.
After touring with the likes of The Church, Tex Perkins, and The Drones, they are sure to deliver a memorable and noteworthy performance.
When: 3pm-5pm
Where: 14 Camp St, Ballarat Central.
Tickets: Free.
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