Ballarat Begonia Festival 2023

Overview

If you like to swap the big smoke for some colourful blooms and garden-themed fun every chance you get, you'll want to pop the Ballarat Begonia Festival on your autumn calendar. A top-notch excuse to get outta town, the free festival returns for its next edition from Saturday, March 11–Monday, March 13, 2023.

As always, green-thumbed folk will be in their element, with a dazzling display of rare begonias set to transform the Robert Clark Conservatory for the fest's dramatic floral centrepiece. As supporting acts, there'll be loads more eye-catching flower installations — including the famed floral clock — with over 500 varieties of begonia on show.

As you wander amongst the blooms, you'll be able to enjoy live tunes at multiple stages, plus market stalls, food pop-ups and roving entertainment.

The full program of happenings is set to drop in February, but previous years have seen circus performances, guest appearances from gardening experts and workshops — and 2015's fest even played host to the world's largest outdoor LEGO flower, created by The Brickman Ryan McNaught.

Images: Teagan Glenane