News Alert |

The City of Ballarat’s Summer in Ballarat campaign will reach more than three million people through television, radio, print, digital and outdoor marketing. 

From 1 December, the campaign will highlight Ballarat’s bumper summer line-up of more than 50 events, including the Federation University Road National Championships and Summer Sundays. 

It will also showcase the summer programs on offer at Ballarat attractions such as Sovereign Hill, Kryal Castle and Lake Wendouree. 

The campaign is specifically targeted at families in western Melbourne, regional Victoria and Ballarat.  

A co-operative initiative with Sovereign Hill, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Eureka Centre will also promote educational experiences for culturally and linguistically diverse families. 

In the lead-up to February, the campaign will focus on big kids and big kids with kids as Ballarat welcomes Rock Ballarat, the Ballarat Beer Festival and Nitro Circus to town. 

“There is no better way to spend your summer than in Ballarat and that’s exactly what we want more visitors thinking,” City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Ben Taylor said. 

“We want more visitors staying longer and spending more money. We also want locals to feel proud of what is happening in their city, to support the events and to bring their families and friends to the region.” 

Find out more about what’s on offer in Ballarat this summer at visitballarat.com.au 

Tourism industry operators can sign up for the City of Ballarat’s regular Visitor Economy eNews by emailing peterquon [at] ballarat.vic.gov.au ( )  

Ballarat’s key 2020 summer events:   

Federation University Road National Championships  

When: Wednesday 8 January – Sunday 12 January. 

Where: Ballarat and Buninyong. 

Details: Australia’s elite cyclists will converge on Ballarat to compete for the coveted green and gold national champions jerseys. The five-day program includes the criterium race, road race, time trial and a number of recreational and community events.   

Summer Sundays 

When: Sunday 5 January, Sunday 12 January, and Sunday 19 January 3.30pm-7.30pm. 

Where: Ballarat Botanical Gardens. 

Details: An impressive line-up of artists will take to the stage in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens when Summer Sundays returns in 2020. Presented by the City of Ballarat, the free all-ages concert series is the ideal place to kick back and soak up the live music with a bite to eat and a cold drink.  

Rock Ballarat  

When: Friday 7 February – Sunday 9 February. 

Where: Ballarat CBD. 

Details: Step back in time at Rock Ballarat, a two-day tribute to everything rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly. The city will come to life with music, fashion parades, classic cars, burlesque dance demonstrations, pin-up competitions and the return of Ballarat's favorite street party. 

Ballarat Beer Festival  

When: Saturday 15 February 11.30am-8pm. 

Where: North Gardens, Lake Wendouree. 

Details: The Ballarat Beer Festival is a celebration of great craft beer and passionate brewers in Australia’s original beer capital. Staged at Lake Wendouree’s North Gardens, the festival features more than 150 Australian brews, award-winning regional wines, an abundance of food trucks, live music, beer education classes, trivia games, and the popular brewers sack race.   

Super Sunday of sport 

When: Sunday 16 February.  

Where: Ballarat.                     

Details: Whatever sport you’re into, you’ll be covered on 16 February with the A-League's Western United taking on Brisbane Roar at Mars Stadium, Cricket for Causes Super 7s, and the Ballarat Cycle Classic.    

Nitro Circus 

When: Saturday 29 February from 5pm. 

Where: Mars Stadium, Ballarat. 

Details: Think exhilarating action sports, think Nitro Circus at Mars Stadium. The global sports company’s athletes are at the top of their games in FMX, BMX, skating and scootering.