Harmony Fest to celebrate Ballarat’s cultural diversity

Are you ready to celebrate all the different cultures that make Ballarat such a brilliant and diverse city?

Since launching in 2010 Harmony Fest has become Ballarat’s most vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, with the city about to come alive once again.

The festival, to be celebrated from 15 - 27 March, will be headlined by the Harmony Day Flag Raising Ceremony and Harmony by the Lake, with more than 30 events to be held across two weeks.  

From Indian food festivals to Chinese library tours, global markets to daily musical performances in Sturt Street, there are many events on offer to help celebrate Ballarat’s cultural diversity.

In line with the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the 2024 Cultural Diversity Week theme invites us to weave a tapestry of vibrant experiences with "Our Shared Stories - Celebrating Together."

Attending the launch of the 2024 Harmony Fest Program at Latin American restaurant Pancho on Mair Street, City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said Harmony Fest had created a better understanding of Ballarat’s cultural diversity.

“As the first officially recognised Intercultural City in Australia of the Intercultural Cities Network, we pride ourselves on maximising and valuing our cultural diversity in Ballarat,” he said.

“An Intercultural City is where diversity is deemed to be the norm and an advantage. What better way to showcase our diversity than Harmony Fest?

“I encourage people to explore the program, see what we have on offer and see what they can get out of Harmony Fest this year.”

Details for the two key events are as follows:

Harmony Day Flag Raising Ceremony, Thursday 21 March, 10.30am

• The annual Harmony Day Flag Raising Ceremony will be held on Thursday 21 March (the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination), at Queen Victoria Square (in front of the Town Hall).
• A morning tea will then follow, and all are welcome to attend.

Harmony by the Lake, Sunday 24 March, 12pm-3.30pm

• A free community picnic, with music, dance, and activities for families and everyone to be held at Lake Wendouree.  
• Bring your own chairs, picnic blankets and enjoy the day, to be held at View Point (opposite the Lake View Hotel)  
• Food trucks will be on site at own cost.

Harmony Fest is designed to align with Harmony Day, the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated on 21 March. The day encourages Australians to come together to reflect on and celebrate the many cultures that create our great nation.

Harmony Fest aligns to the City of Ballarat’s Intercultural City Strategic Plan 2022-26 which prioritizes: Responsive Service Delivery, Active Citizenship, Leadership and Advocacy, Maximizing and Valuing Diversity.

To view the full program, visit the City of Ballarat website.