Much like the Begonia Festival, the Heritage Festival has been stretched out to help it adhere to COVID-19 guidelines after last year's event was held online.

The festival's marquee events include the Ballarat Tweed Ride, where riders dress in vintage and heritage-inspired outfits wearing tweeds, velvets, capes and kilts while riding through the city streets, and the Beard and Stache Competition, with more than $1000 in prizes up for grabs.

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City of Ballarat central ward councillor Samantha McIntosh said the event had previously attracted up to 14,000 people to the city and brings close to $1 million to the local economy.

This festival for Ballarat has become an absolute staple. Over more than a decade, we've had thousands of people walk the streets of our city," she said.

"We also know the economic benefit of heritage weekend brings almost $1 million to our community, to our businesses and to our streetscapes.

"The beautiful thing about heritage weekend is focusing on the past, the spectacular stories and engaging our communities with what may be future history for our city as well."

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