It is finally upon us - the Ballarat Begonia Festival is back for another year.
The 2023 festival, being held from 11-13 March, is shaping up as one of the most action-packed editions to date and is certain to have something for everybody.
Featuring live music, brilliant performances, delicious food and drinks, markets, celebrity guests, activities and workshops and of course, the stunning Begonias and garden displays, the Begonia Festival promises three days of fun for all.
And the best part - it is free to attend.
If you are wondering how to make the most of the festival, we have outlined everything you need to know below.
The Begonias
Without doubt the focal point of the festival every year, the Begonia display will see up to 1000 magnificent flowers on display in the Robert Clark Conservatory.
The bright floral arrangement is the result of 10 months of work, culminating in a sensational sight that you can't afford to miss.
Begonias have been synonymous with Ballarat since the late 1800's and to this day we still celebrate this magnificent genus
To learn more about the Begonias, visit the Begonias page on the Begonia Festival website.
The Green House Ballarat stage
All eyes will be on the Green House Ballarat stage, which will be the central platform to host a wide array of entertainment, celebrity chefs, live music and engaging masterclasses.
On Saturday and Sunday the stage will run from 10am to 5pm, while on Monday the action kicks off from midday.
Be sure to stop by to catch some of the headline acts.
Integra Family Zone
Family activities will run across the entire festival weekend, from 10am to 5pm every day.
Integra Tiny Town is a great way for the young (and young at heart) to explore their own mini city.
Featuring an array of cubbies to explore, it promises a play-based environment encouraging role-play, community engagement and lots of fun.
Other family activities will include: face painting; sports zone; obstacle course; giant garden games; BotaniKids at the Gatekeeper's Cottage; Kid Power - a sensory friendly activity presented by Picture Thinking and the City of Ballarat Early Learning team (Saturday and Sunday only); Food is Free, Little Sproutpot planting (Monday only); face painting and plenty more.
Entertainment
World-renowned performing arts company, SWAY, will be the stars of the show and will put on a show not to be missed. They will present Bloom! A colourful and spirited aerial spectacle performed atop 15-foot sway poles.
There will also be live music on the Green House Ballarat stage, featuring local singer/songwriter BJ Humphrey, local Sonika act Grove and Melbourne-based soul act Fulton Street, both of which will perform on Monday, 13 March.
There will also be live DJ sets in the Begonia Courtyard all day, where you can grab a famous Tim's Toastie and a delicious Begonia cocktail from the Kilderkin Bar and enjoy the tunes.
Celebrity chef Mark Olive, landscape architect Natasha Morgan, expert beekeepers Amanda Collins and Scott Denno, sessions on indoor plants and vegetable gardens by Munash Organics and the Green House Ballarat and much more - there will be no shortage of entertainment on hand.
