A CITY IN FULL COLOUR: BALLARAT BEGONIA FESTIVAL RETURNS NEXT MARCH

Ballarat Begonia Festival

A celebration of rare begonias, living art and sustainable design

Ballarat’s most iconic event — the Ballarat Begonia Festival — will return in March next year, transforming the Ballarat Botanical Gardens into a vibrant celebration of nature, creativity and community from Saturday 7 to Monday 9 March 2026 (Labour Day long weekend).

Now in its seventh decade, the much-loved free event will once again bring together thousands of rare begonias, interactive art installations, family entertainment and sustainable garden design, cementing Ballarat’s reputation as one of Australia’s most creative and garden-rich cities.

At the centre of the Festival is the breathtaking Robert Clark Conservatory, home to Ballarat’s world- renowned begonia collection — one of the rarest and most significant in the southern hemisphere.

Each year, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ team meticulously cultivates over 500 begonia varieties, including heirloom and hybrid species grown exclusively for the event. The result is a living tapestry of colour and form that attracts budding green thumbs, garden enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.

“The begonias are the true stars of the show,” said Ballarat Botanical Gardens curator Donna Thomas.

“It takes close to ten months of dedicated work to nurture and shape these plants into their prime — and seeing them fill the Conservatory each March is a proud moment for the entire team,” she said.

2026 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

The Plants – Playable Streets

Making its Ballarat debut, The Plants by Playable Streets invites visitors to make music with living plants. This large-scale installation turns natural elements into touch-sensitive instruments — a collaboration between art, science and sound.

The Begonia Stage – Hosted by Chloe Thomson

A stellar line-up of guest presenters will headline the 2026 festival, including:

• Sophie Thomson (Gardening Australia, SA)
• Matthew Evans (Gourmet Farmer, TAS)
• Nornie Bero (Mabu Mabu, VIC)
• Clarence Slockee (Gardening Australia, NSW)
• Formidable Vegetable (WA permaculture educators and musicians)
• George “The Native Bee Man” Clancy Lester (VIC)
• Garden of Giggles – Family Wonderlands

Beloved family performers Polyglot Theatre return with Bees, an immersive, buzzing world of movement and sound, alongside the award-winning ABC Kids band The Vegetable Plot, and roving entertainment from Trash Puppets and Roaming Trees by Gaia Rhythm.

Circular Gardens – Sustainable Design in Focus

Following its successful 2025 debut, Circular Gardens will return with a new collection of micro- garden displays designed by local creators and small businesses. Each display celebrates the beauty of reuse, innovation and low-maintenance gardening.

Beyond the Blooms – Ballarat-wide Activations

Ballarat Begonia Festival

Extending beyond the gardens, Beyond the Blooms will see Ballarat’s cafés, retailers and bars transformed with floral installations, begonia-inspired menus and creative displays in the weeks leading up to the Festival.

“The Ballarat Begonia Festival is an expression of everything our city values — creativity, sustainability and community connection,” said City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves.

“In 2026, Ballarat will burst with colour and culture, inviting visitors to experience our gardens in a way that’s immersive, joyful and brilliantly unexpected — just like Ballarat itself,” she said.

Ballarat Begonia Festival

When: Saturday 7 – Monday 9 March 2026 (Labour Day long weekend)
Time: 10am – 5pm daily
Where: Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Ballarat
Price: Free entry, with food, drink, wares and experiences available to purchase
More info: ballaratbegoniafestival.com

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/