What's on
Upcoming events dated after today, plus recent past events retained for one month.
After today
Author talk at BMI with Phillipa Nefri Clark in conversation with local actor Kate Atkinson.
BMI lists this author conversation for 29 July 2026, 6pm to 7:30pm, in the Humffray Room. Phillipa Nefri Clark discusses Lest Angels Weep with local actor Kate Atkinson. The page lists $11 admission and directs visitors to book through BMI.
Ballaarat Mechanics Institute charity ball raising money for breast cancer research.
BMI lists the AFAM Charity Ball on 1 August 2026 from 7pm to 11:50pm in the Minerva Space. Tickets are listed at $150 per person and include food, beer, wine, soft drinks and entertainment by Bitter Sweet, with fundraising directed to breast cancer research in memory of Toni.
Stand-up comedy show by Nazeem Hussain at Civic Hall Ballarat.
Her Majesty's Theatre lists Nazeem Hussain at Civic Hall Ballarat on 1 August 2026 from 7pm to 8:10pm, with bars open from 6pm. The page lists the show as comedy, 70 minutes with no interval, and tickets at $40.30.
Solo art-music performance by cellist and theatre-maker Zoe Barry at Her Majesty's Theatre.
Her Majesty's Theatre lists The Nervous Atmosphere on 1 August 2026 from 7:30pm to 8:30pm, with bars open from 6:30pm. The 60-minute no-interval performance is recommended for ages 8+, with ticket options from $5 secondary-student tickets to $49 A Reserve, and content warnings for intense sound, light, blackouts and strobe effects.
Author conversation at Ballaarat Mechanics Institute with crime writer Margaret Hickey discussing Cold River.
BMI lists Margaret Hickey in conversation with Gregory Flood on 3 August 2026 from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Humffray Room. The event focuses on her mystery novel Cold River, with general admission listed at $11 and tickets available through the event page.
Free Civic Hall pie-breakfast event celebrating Ballarat's Best Pie with a live Sunrise broadcast.
Her Majesty's Theatre lists Ballarat's Big Bite at Civic Hall Ballarat on 4 August 2026. Doors open at 6am and close at 7am, the event starts at 7:15am, the group pie bite is scheduled for 8:10am, and the event finishes at 9am. Free tickets are required, the page marks it suitable for ages 5+, no babes in arms or prams are permitted, and participants must be able to eat a standard meat pie containing listed allergens because no alternative dietary options are provided. Attendance includes consent to live national broadcast and recording.
Gentle Art Gallery of Ballarat studio sessions for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups.
Art Gallery of Ballarat lists this Art Play program at the Gallery Studio at Federation University, Alfred Deakin Place. Remaining source-listed sessions after the current refresh date are 5 August, 19 August, 16 September and 19 September 2026, each from 10am to 10:45am. The hands-on sessions use sensory materials, unusual textures, bold colours and shape play to introduce very young children and accompanying adults to storytelling through art. Tickets are $10 for children or $8 for gallery members.
Art Gallery of Ballarat preschool studio sessions using materials, marks and visual storytelling.
Art Gallery of Ballarat lists this Art Play program at the Gallery Studio at Federation University, Alfred Deakin Place. Remaining source-listed sessions after the current refresh date are 5 August, 19 August, 2 September and 16 September 2026, each from 11am to 11:45am. The preschool sessions invite children and grown-ups to experiment with tools and materials, add and move elements, and build visual stories through messy hands-on discovery. Tickets are $10 for children or $8 for gallery members.
Eureka Centre Talking History lecture by Dr Bronwyn Hughes on Ballarat stained-glass stories and makers.
Eureka Centre confirms this free in-person Talking History lecture on 6 August 2026 at 5:30pm. Dr Bronwyn Hughes OAM explores Ballarat stained-glass works, the people behind their commission and production, and the changing community values reflected across more than a century; no booking is required.
Art Gallery of Ballarat Art Screen presentation of Shaun Gladwell's slow-motion screen work Woolloomooloo night.
Art Gallery of Ballarat lists Shaun Gladwell: Woolloomooloo night from 7 August to 22 October 2026 as an Art Screen exhibition. The page describes the 2004 video work of Emma Magenta performing capoeira at a Woolloomooloo petrol station, with audience tags for adults, artists, members and teachers.
Ballaarat Mechanics Institute talk on Ferdinand von Mueller's Educational Collections of Victorian Plants.
BMI lists this Biodiversity Week talk on 7 August 2026 from 6pm to 7pm in the Lending Library. Heritage Collections Curator Ellen Becker discusses the BMI's rare Ferdinand von Mueller plant collection and early scientific communication; tickets are listed at $15 and seating is unallocated.
Stand-up comedy show at Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute's Minerva Space.
Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute lists Blake Pavey: A Bit Scared on 7 August 2026 from 7:30pm to 8:40pm in the Minerva Space. Tickets are $44.90, the show is presented by KEG Touring, contains adult themes and coarse language, is recommended for ages 16+, and under-18 attendees must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Country music concert at Civic Hall Ballarat with Tania Kernaghan and Jason Owen touring together.
Her Majesty's Theatre lists the concert at Civic Hall Ballarat on 7 August 2026 from 8pm to 10pm. The page describes a two-hour music show with interval, full tickets at $74.49, and a set built around original hits, country classics and storytelling.
Free Art Gallery of Ballarat offsite exhibition at the Mining Exchange showing global photojournalism.
Art Gallery of Ballarat lists World Press Photo at the Ballarat Mining Exchange from 8 August to 20 September 2026, open 10am to 5pm. The gallery-hosted exhibition presents international photojournalism and documentary photography while the main gallery site is closed, and the page marks the offsite venue as the Mining Exchange.
Daily facilitated Art Gallery of Ballarat conversations inside the World Press Photo exhibition.
Art Gallery of Ballarat lists the guided experiences at the Ballarat Mining Exchange daily from 8 August to 20 September 2026, 11am to 11:45am. The short sessions use open-ended questions and facilitated conversation to help visitors engage with the stories, themes and ideas in the World Press Photo exhibition; group bookings are handled through the gallery.
Theatre work by New Zealand company EBKM at Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat.
Her Majesty's Theatre lists Heartbreak Hotel on 8 August 2026 from 7:30pm to 8:45pm, with bars open from 6:30pm. The 75-minute no-interval theatre work is recommended for ages 13+, with pricing across A Reserve, concession, B Reserve, under-30, Mob Tix, restricted view and $5 secondary-student tickets; content warnings note flashing lights and smoke or haze.
The Living End bring their regional rock tour to Civic Hall Ballarat.
Her Majesty's Theatre lists The Living End at Civic Hall Ballarat on 8 August 2026 from 7:30pm to 10pm. The page says doors and bars open at 6:30pm, the support act runs 7:30pm to 8pm, The Living End play from 8:30pm, tickets are $79.90, and valid ID is required because the show is 18+ only.
One-show comedy lineup at Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute with Lawrence Mooney, Elliot Goblet and Marlaina McPhillips.
Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute lists Lawrence Mooney and Friends on 9 August 2026 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm in the Minerva Space, with doors at 12:30pm and show time at 1:30pm. Tickets are $47 or $42 concession, the lineup includes Lawrence Mooney, Elliot Goblet and MC Marlaina McPhillips, and the page notes adult themes, coarse language, recommended ages 16+ and parent or legal guardian accompaniment for under-18 attendees.
City of Ballarat drop-in session for Central Ward residents to speak with their councillor at Ballarat Central Library.
City of Ballarat lists the Central Ward roadshow for Monday 10 August 2026, 4pm to 6pm, at Ballarat Central Library with Cr Samantha McIntosh. The page describes the roadshow as in-person ward drop-in sessions where ratepayers and residents can give ward-specific feedback and help shape the future direction of Ballarat.
Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute author talk with Sophie Green about her novel The Frock Shop.
BMI lists Sophie Green in conversation with radio presenter Jane Nield in the Humffray Room on 12 August 2026. Tickets are listed at $11.78 on the page. The session focuses on The Frock Shop, a second-hand fashion and friendship story about second chances, identity and women's lives.
Past month
Australian Ballet touring program of classical favourites and new works at Her Majesty's Theatre.
Saturday evening performance of Ballarat National Theatre's God of Carnage at the BMI Minerva Space.
Saturday matinee performance of Ballarat National Theatre's God of Carnage at the BMI Minerva Space.
Friday evening performance of Ballarat National Theatre's God of Carnage at the BMI Minerva Space.
Public talk at BMI about the Educational Collections of Victorian Plants and Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller.
Ballarat National Theatre performance of Yasmina Reza's black comedy at the BMI Minerva Space.
Touring mystery and illusion show by Cosentino at Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat.
Guided meditation and Buddhist teaching class at Ballaarat Mechanics Institute focused on gratitude and contentment.
Author talk at Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute with Petronella McGovern discussing her thriller Every Time She Wakes.
Ballarat Winter Festival trail of custom hot chocolates across local cafes, bars, bakeries and visitor stops.
Free national under-18 boys football championship matches at Ballarat's Mars Stadium.
Wine tasting event at the Ballarat Mining Exchange with western Victorian producers.
