The annual Ballarat Begonia Festival is back in the picturesque Ballarat Botanical Gardens, with its unique celebration of community, creativity, and family fun.
Families can expect a spectacular display of over 600 rare and heritage begonia varieties, alongside a packed program of free entertainment, expert talks, sustainable garden displays, and hands-on garden experiences.
In 2026, the festival transforms the gardens into a vibrant, interactive wonderland from Saturday 7 March to Monday 9 March 2026 (Labour Day long weekend).
Ballarat Begonia Festival 2026
A Symphony of Begonias – The 2026 Feature Display
At the heart of this year’s festival is ‘A Symphony of Begonias’, the spectacular 2026 display inside the Robert Clark Conservatory.
Designed as a living artwork rich in colour, height and movement, the display features towering pyramids of colour, cascading green walls and butterfly-shaped floral installations.
All 600 rare and heritage begonias have been grown by the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Nursery team over the past ten months — making this one of the most significant begonia collections in the southern hemisphere.
Don’t forget your camera – this display is a photographer’s dream!
Walking into the Conservatory honestly feels like stepping into another world. The colours are so layered and vibrant that you don’t quite know where to look first.
The kids are drawn straight to the towering floral structures, while I find myself lingering over the tiny details — the delicate petals, the unexpected shapes, the scent in the air.
NEW: Make Music With Plants
Making its Ballarat debut in 2026 is ‘The Plants’ by Playable Streets — a large-scale interactive installation where visitors can touch real plants to create music.
Using bespoke digital sensors connected to organic matter, these living instruments turn nature into sound. It’s immersive, hands-on and completely unique.
The musical plants are such a clever addition. We’ve seen this at Fed Square in 2024, and watching the kids realise they could create sound just by touching leaves is pure magic. It turns gardening into something playful and unexpected — and it keeps them engaged far longer than you’d expect.
Main Stage Presentations
The festival welcomes renowned gardening and culinary experts who will share their knowledge, passion, and practical tips:
- Sophie Thomson (ABC Gardening Australia)
- Clarence Slockee (Gardening Australia / Sydney Botanic Gardens)
- Matthew Evans (Gourmet Farmer)
- Nornie Bero (Mabu Mabu)
- Formidable Vegetable (permaculture educators and musicians)
Across the weekend, talks and demonstrations will explore sustainable gardening, bush foods, permaculture and growing food at home.
Ballarat Begonia Festival: A Day Packed with Activities
Start your visit to the Ballarat flower festival at the ‘Begonia’ letters, designed by artist Billy O’Toole. Each letter represents a unique aspect of Wadawurrung Country.
Circular Gardens and Community Floral Beds
Returning in 2026 is the popular Circular Gardens feature — a series of clever, small-scale garden displays created by local designers and businesses.
These displays showcase practical, low-maintenance and sustainable ideas that visitors can recreate at home.
Nearby, seven colourful community garden beds planted by local schools and community groups add an extra layer of creativity and community spirit to the landscape.
Entertainment & Music
As you stroll through the gardens, watch for roaming performers bringing the festival atmosphere to life.
In 2026, the Garden of Giggles will be headlined by Polyglot Theatre’s ‘Bees’ — an immersive performance where children become part of a buzzing bee world — and The Vegetable Plot, the ARIA-nominated ABC Kids band loved by families.
If you’re visiting with younger kids, Garden of Giggles is where you’ll likely spend a big chunk of time. The energy is fantastic — lively, creative and genuinely entertaining for adults too.
Roving entertainment from Trim & Propper and Trash Puppets will also pop up across the weekend.
The festival also features a program of well-known and emerging local artists to keep your feet tapping and spirits high.
Family-Friendly Fun
The Ballarat Begonia Festival is a paradise for little green thumbs and curious explorers! Highlights include:
Begonia Display – Step into the stunning Robert Clark Conservatory, where thousands of begonias bloom amid fragrant greenery.
Garden of Giggles – Now a giant garden playground for kids, featuring immersive performances, live music and interactive entertainment designed especially for families.
Gardeners Market – Discover a treasure trove of plants, flowers, and gardening gifts, including begonia plant sales.
Snail Trail – The much-loved trail returns, with brightly painted snail sculptures created by local primary school students hidden throughout the gardens.
We love doing the Snail Trail together. It gives kids a mission, which makes wandering through the gardens so much easier. There’s something lovely about spotting each brightly painted snail and seeing the personality in every design.
Workshops and Demonstrations
Visitors can book into hands-on workshops across the weekend, including:
- Musical Plants workshop with Playable Streets
- Permaculture crash course with Formidable Vegetable
- Gardening workshop with Sophie Thomson
Check out the workshops program as they require booking ahead.
Culinary Treats: Food and Drinks Galore
Food Trucks will be located in two large food court areas within the festival site, open 10am – 5pm daily. With a plethora of food and beverage vendors, your taste buds are in for a treat!
And don’t forget to visit the Begonia Bar for locally crafted beverages.
The Grand Finale: Begonia Parade
The Power FM Begonia Parade on Monday 9 March is the festival’s highlight, featuring community groups and vibrant processions. It’s a celebration of community spirit and creativity, perfect for wrapping up an unforgettable weekend in Ballarat!
Fast Facts – Ballarat Begonia Festival 2026
When: Saturday 7 – Monday 9 March 2026 (Labour Day long weekend)
Time: 10am – 5pm daily
Where: Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Ballarat
Price: Free entry, with food, drink, wares and workshops available to purchase or book
More info: ballaratbegoniafestival.com
Ballarat Begonia Festival FAQs
What child-friendly activities are available at the Ballarat Begonia Festival?
Families will find plenty to keep kids entertained at the festival. The expanded Garden of Giggles features immersive theatre (Polyglot’s Bees), live music from The Vegetable Plot and roving performers. Meanwhile, young adventurers can take part in the Snail Trail, a whimsical scavenger hunt through the gardens, searching for brightly painted snail sculptures created by local primary school students.
What type of food options are available for kids at the festival?
The festival offers a diverse range of food and beverage options, including kid-friendly meals and snacks. There are over 20 food and beverage vendors to choose from.
Is the festival accessible for strollers and young children?
The Ballarat Begonia Festival is held at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, which are generally stroller-friendly and accessible for families with young children.
Can we bring our own food and picnic at the festival?
Yes, families are welcome to bring their own food and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful surroundings of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
How do we get to the festival?
By train: Plan your trip to Ballarat on the Vline. A free shuttle bus will run to and from the Ballarat Train Station (Lydiard Street) to the Ballarat Begonia Festival.
By car: If you drive to the Festival, there is a Festival Car Park is located in the North Gardens, entry off Wendouree Parade into Zoo Drive. There is also ample parking around the Botanical Gardens, both along Wendouree Parade and Gillies Street. There will be no parking available on Wendouree Parade between Nursery Drive and St Aidans Drive from 6.30am to 1pm (inclusive) on the day of the parade – Monday 11th March.
By tram: Vintage tram rides will be available all weekend for your convenience and enjoyment. Travel the 1.3 km of the original track beside the Botanical Gardens on the west side of Lake Wendouree.
What else is there is to do in Ballarat with kids?
We’ve got you covered with our article of the best things to do in Ballarat with kids, including where to play, eat and stay.
Visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park with kids
Tips for visiting Sovereign Hill with Kids
Visit Kryal Castle
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