Ballarat's biggest celebration of our older residents has almost arrived, with the month-long 2025 Ballarat Seniors Festival about to get under way.
The City of Ballarat is proud to present the festival, which runs all of October and delivers a vibrant program of events designed to celebrate, connect and inspire our community's older residents.
With more than 100 free and low-cost events, the festival offers opportunities for older residents to socialise, try something new and celebrate healthy, active and connected ageing.
From concerts, exhibitions and theatre performances to wellness workshops, heritage tours and social gatherings, the program showcases the very best of Ballarat's cultural and community life. Highlights include:
- Ballarat Seniors Festival Community Expo, Wednesday 22 October: This is the biggest event of the Ballarat Seniors Festival and is a huge showcase of community, social and special interest groups across Ballarat. To be held at the new Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre, 10am-2pm.
- #TheBiscuitTin in Ballarat launch, Tuesday 14 October: This initiative aims to raise awareness of older women's contributions and the need for respect. Join us as we celebrate the contributions of 10 older women in Ballarat and release our Recipes for Respect book. To be held at the Eureka Centre, 10am-11.30am.
- Intergenerational Community Day, Wednesday 15 October: Children's Week and Ballarat Seniors Festival collide with a jam-packed community day full of activities and entertainment. To be held at Invermay Hall, 11am-2pm.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the festival is an important way to recognise and celebrate the contributions of older residents.
"The Ballarat Seniors Festival is all about bringing people together, celebrating our seniors and ensuring they remain connected, active and valued within our community," she said.
"It's also a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to come along, enjoy the events and learn from one another."
The festival is supported by the Victorian Government and forms part of the statewide Seniors Festival themed - Connect, Create, Celebrate. The statewide Seniors Festival is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in Australia.
