Embrace the start of autumn at the annual Ballarat Begonia Festival. Take a day trip or enjoy a weekend escape to this regional city, and admire thousands of pretty plants. The free outdoor event will feature magnificent flower displays, roving entertainment, fun installations and more. The festival will return over the Labour Day long weekend, from Saturday March 7 to Monday March 9. It will run from 10am to 5pm, and entry is free!
Ballarat Begonia Festival 2026
This enchanting flower festival takes place every year. Wander over to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and admire the begonia display in the Robert Clark Conservatory. Titled ‘A Symphony of Begonias’, the display this year has been designed like a living artwork. Look forward to walls of cascading greenery, butterfly-shaped floral installations and over 600 rare and heritage begonia varieties. Horticulturalists nurture the begonias for ten months of the year, and their collection is the one of the most significant in the southern hemisphere.
Speaking of symphonies, an interactive installation is making its Ballarat debut. Check out The Plants by Playable Streets, and create music by touching real plants. This installation uses organic matter and digital sensors, transforming nature into a living instrument.
More festival highlights
Family entertainment
Families are invited to check out the Garden of Giggles, where they’ll find playful performances, like Polyglot Theatre’s Bees, The Vegetable Plot band and roving entertainment.
Embark on the Snail Trail, and discover bright snail sculptures created by local primary school students scattered around the gardens.
Main Stage
Swing by the Begonia Stage and hear from experts in gardening, food and sustainability, including Sophie Thomson, Clarence Slockee and Nornie Bero. Look forward to talks, demonstrations and workshops about sustainable gardening, bush foods, permaculture and growing food at home. See what workshops are coming up and make a booking here.
Begonia Parade
The Power FM Ballarat Begonia Parade will return with community groups taking part in a procession along Wendouree Parade. This event will take place on Monday March 9, starting at the Ballarat Tramway Museum and ending adjacent to North Gardens.
Food and drink
You’ll find a whole variety of food trucks set up in two food court areas. Indulge in sweet and savoury dishes, then grab at drink from the Begonia Bar.
Key info:
🕒10am to 5pm
📅Saturday March 7 to Monday March 9
🎫Free entry
📍Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Ballarat VIC 3355
Learn more about the festival here.