Ballarat Heritage Festival a finalist in tourism awards

The Ballarat Heritage Festival continues to cement itself as one of Victoria’s premier tourism events, after being named as a finalist in the Festivals and Events Category at the 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards. 

It follows hot on the heels of taking out the top honour on the national stage earlier this year, when the festival was awarded Gold at both the 2021 Victorian Tourism Awards and the 2021 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in the Festivals and Events category. 

Ballarat Heritage Festival ran for nine days in May 2022 and offered a program of over 50 events and activities including renowned events such as: the Ballarat Tweed Ride, the Beard & Stache Competition, Craft Lab, Steam Train Shuttles and Self-guided Digital Heritage Tours.  

This year more than 20,000 people attended the event which also included a new addition to the festival program – The Food Edit, a host of festival‐long food focussed activities. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said the festival had quickly become an institution in the city. 

“Years ago, people wouldn’t have dreamed about having a festival in Ballarat in May, but now it has put us on the tourism map,” he said. 

“There has been an extraordinary amount of work gone into this event and now we are truly starting to reap the rewards. 

“As the awards continue to mount, I can’t wait to see it continue to grow and evolve and become a staple on our calendar.” 

A City of Ballarat signature event, the festival further establishes Ballarat’s unique character and drives visitation to the region. The festival showcases Ballarat’s rich heritage in a contemporary way while, delivering key Ballarat Event Strategy outcomes. 

Winners will be decided at the Victorian Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony on Thursday 1 December. 

The Ballarat Heritage Festival will return in May 2023. For more festival details, including how to make bookings, go to ballaratheritagefestival.com.au