For 2026, we confirmed 11 Christmas events for kids in Ballarat. The season opens on 7 November with Christmas in Ballarat Decorations and runs until 4 January with Santa's Red Telephone Booth. Of these, 6 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Australia.
The short version
- Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Ballarat, Wendouree, Beaufort and Mount Rowan: 11
- First: Christmas in Ballarat Decorations, Ballarat, 7 November
- Free events: Christmas in Ballarat Decorations, Christmas in Ballarat Art Trail, Santa's Red Telephone Booth, Sovereign Hill Christmas Shopping Night, Made of: Ballarat Christmas Shopping Night and Ballarat Carols by Candlelight
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by suburb, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Ballarat
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 11 confirmed for 2026
- Suburbs
- Ballarat, Wendouree, Beaufort and Mount Rowan
- Season
- 7 November to 4 January
- Free events
- 6
- Last checked
What are you looking for?
All 11 events
Nothing matches yet. Try another kind of event, or .
Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 10 more Ballarat events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Ballarat.
- Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Ballarat.
- Start your magical Christmas season now Every event appears the moment you enter your email.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
Waiting inside
- 5 Santa
- 5 Shows
- 4 Crafts
- 3 Markets
- 6 Free
Enter your email and they’ll all appear instantly.
The Christmas magic awaits
Enter your email to get Christmas event alerts all season and unlock the details of 10 Christmas events in Ballarat.
- New events in Ballarat every week
- Exclusive access to free events
- Your magical Christmas season starts now
- Christmas Eve Express and free advent calendar
- One-tap add to calendar
Christmas events for kids in Ballarat
Listed soonest first: 7 confirmed events in Ballarat.
Christmas lightsFree
Christmas in Ballarat Decorations
- When: Sat 7 November to Mon 4 January
- Where: Sturt Street and Bridge Mall, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
From 7 November to 4 January, central Ballarat is dressed up for Christmas along Sturt Street and in the Bridge Mall. Highlights include a 9-metre Archway of Stars, the refurbished Waterloo Stars at Sturt and Grenville Streets, a giant LED bauble at the Town Hall, Rudolph and reindeer photo spots, a North Pole sign and illuminated Santa boot cut-outs where kids can step into Santa's body.
In the Bridge Mall there is a five-metre illuminated Christmas tree, a Bauble Bench and a four-metre Merry Christmas Ballarat sign. The displays are free and make a good evening wander after dinner. The listing notes the baubles shine every night, so visiting after dark gives the best effect.
Parent tip: Visit after dark for the best lighting. Pick up a Christmas Map at the Visitor Information Centre.
- Host
- Christmas in Ballarat (City of Ballarat) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sturt Street and Bridge Mall, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 10 more Ballarat events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Ballarat.
- Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Ballarat.
- Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
Coming up on this page
- 5 Santa
- 5 Shows
- 4 Crafts
- 3 Markets
- 6 Free
Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Ballarat every week.
Christmas storytimeFree
Christmas in Ballarat Art Trail
- When: Mon 9 November to Sun 3 January
- Where: Ballarat CBD (activity sheets at the Visitor Information Centre), 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Families
Expand to see the parent tip
In this story-based trail, Mrs Claus and her mischievous elves have lost the Naughty or Nice List, and names have been scattered across Ballarat. Families collect a free activity sheet from the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, scan the QR code at any of the six trail locations, or download the trail map.
The story was written and illustrated by Ballarat creative couple Renee and Travis Price. Kids search the six festive artworks for missing names, answer questions and return their entry form to the Visitor Information Centre for a chance to win. Finding names at three artworks enters the competition, and finding all six doubles the chances. The Mrs Claus and Her Mischievous Elves book is on sale at the Visitor Information Centre.
Parent tip: Pick up a Christmas map and the activity sheet from the Visitor Information Centre at 225 Sturt Street.
- Host
- Christmas in Ballarat (City of Ballarat) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ballarat CBD (activity sheets at the Visitor Information Centre), 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Meet SantaFree
Santa's Red Telephone Booth
- When: Mon 9 November to Mon 4 January
- Where: Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Young children
Expand to see the parent tip
Inside the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, a red telephone booth invites children to leave a personalised voice message for Santa. It is an interactive way for little ones to share their wish lists, hopes and dreams, and to feel connected to the North Pole.
The booth is open from 9 November to 4 January at 225 Sturt Street, during the centre's opening hours. While you are there, ask the friendly staff for a Christmas Map showing the rest of the Christmas in Ballarat program, including the decorations and the family art trail. It is a quick, free stop that pairs well with a walk along Sturt Street.
Parent tip: Ask staff for a Christmas Map and the Art Trail sheet while you are at the centre.
- Host
- Christmas in Ballarat (City of Ballarat) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas craftsFree
Sovereign Hill Christmas Shopping Night
- When: Fri 4 December, 6 to 8pm
- Where: Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free entry
- Ages: Families
Expand to see the parent tip
Sovereign Hill calls its Christmas Shopping Night its most popular community event, and it gives free entry to the whole community on Friday 4 December from 6 to 8pm. Market stalls and stores sell festive treats, locally made gifts and Sovereign Hill favourites such as personalised Raspberry Drops, sweets and candles.
The evening also opens up some of the museum's daytime experiences, including candle dipping, gold panning and confectionery demonstrations, which gives kids something hands-on to do while adults shop. The venue lists the event as welcoming people with access needs. It is a relaxed way to see the outdoor museum after hours at no cost.
Parent tip: Entry is free. Wear comfortable shoes, as the site is large and mostly outdoors.
- Host
- Sovereign Hill (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas show
Christmas in Ballarat 2026: Live Music and Roving Entertainment
- When: From Thursday 10 December, more dates on the page
- Where: Ballarat CBD (opens in maps)
- Cost: Check the price with the host
Expand to see the parent tip
Live music and roving entertainment return to central Ballarat, with 10 and 11 December named in the Visit Ballarat calendar and further dates on the page. In 2025 the performers appeared every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 December, along Sturt Street and in Bridge Mall.
The 2026 listing does not give times or a price.
Parent tip: Check the page for the full list of dates before planning around a particular act.
- Host
- Visit Ballarat (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ballarat CBD (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Meet SantaFree
Made of: Ballarat Christmas Shopping Night
- When: Thu 10 December, 4 to 7pm
- Where: Made of: Ballarat Shop, Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
Made of: Ballarat Christmas Shopping Night is a free late opening at the Made of: Ballarat Shop, inside the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre on Sturt Street. It showcases local producers, creators and makers, with pop-up stalls, live Christmas music and food trucks.
Families can write a letter to Santa at the letter-writing station, enter the Arts Trail competition, and have a complimentary custom hamper made up from products they choose. The page does not list other kids activities, so think of it as a short, easy Christmas stop for children who like the Santa letter.
Parent tip: Runs only 4 to 7pm, so go early with little ones. The Santa letter station is the main kids drawcard.
- Host
- Visit Ballarat (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Made of: Ballarat Shop, Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas show
Candy Caines
- When: Sat 12 and Sat 19 December, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
- Where: Bridge Mall and Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Cost: No ticket mentioned on the page
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
The Giant Candy Canes are back in Ballarat. These 2.5-metre characters wander the Bridge Mall and Sturt Street, and the program invites families to come up close for a photo and try not to get bopped by their giant hooks.
There are two days, Saturday 12 December and Saturday 19 December, with three 40-minute appearances each day at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. The page does not mention a cost or any booking, so it looks like a drop-in street activity. Combine it with the Christmas decorations and Santa's Red Telephone Booth for an easy family outing in the city centre.
Parent tip: Pick one of the three daily time slots and head to the Bridge Mall a few minutes early.
- Host
- Christmas in Ballarat (City of Ballarat) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Bridge Mall and Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas events for kids in Wendouree
Listed soonest first: 2 confirmed events in Wendouree.
Christmas parade
Santa Arrival Parade at Stockland Wendouree
- When: Saturday 28 November
- Where: Stockland Wendouree (opens in maps)
- Cost: Check the price with the host
Expand to see the parent tip
Stockland Wendouree lists a Santa Arrival Parade for 28 November, a Saturday in 2026. The centre is in the Ballarat suburb of Wendouree.
The listing gives no start time, price or route, so check the Visit Ballarat page or the centre before you leave home.
Parent tip: Confirm the start time first, because the listing does not state one.
- Host
- Stockland Wendouree (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Stockland Wendouree (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas show
12 Days of Christmas Stockland Wendouree
- When: 30 November to 11 December
- Where: Stockland Wendouree (opens in maps)
- Cost: Check the price with the host
Expand to see the parent tip
Stockland Wendouree lists a 12 Days of Christmas program from 30 November to 11 December. The Visit Ballarat calendar shows it with a free label, though the listing does not tie that label to a price in plain text.
The program details, daily times and age range are not in the listing, so check the centre's page for what is on each day.
Parent tip: Ask the centre which days suit under-fives, as the daily acts are not listed.
- Host
- Stockland Wendouree (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Stockland Wendouree (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas events for kids in Beaufort
Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Beaufort.
Christmas parade
Beaufort By Twilight
- When: Fri 4 December, 4 to 8pm
- Where: Beaufort Township, Neill Street, Beaufort 3373 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Entry cost not listed
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
Beaufort By Twilight turns the township into a Christmas street market for one evening. Local shops and restaurants stay open late, and the street fills with circus performers, buskers, food trucks and live music.
There is a lolly shop making sweets on site, carols in the Memorial Rose Garden, the Beaufort Brass Band playing in the Rotunda, and Santa arrives in the evening. The listing mentions activities for all ages and the photos show face painting. It is a pleasant country-town outing about 40 minutes west of Ballarat, easy to pair with dinner in town.
Parent tip: The listing does not state a price for entry, so check with Pyrenees Shire Council on events@pyrenees.vic.gov.au if you need to. Santa comes later in the evening.
- Host
- Pyrenees Shire Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Beaufort Township, Neill Street, Beaufort 3373 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Christmas events for kids in Mount Rowan
Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Mount Rowan.
Christmas carolsFree
Ballarat Carols by Candlelight (Mount Rowan)
- When: Sat 19 December, afternoon and evening
- Where: Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre, Rose Hill Road, Mount Rowan 3352 (opens in maps)
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
Ballarat Carols by Candlelight takes over the Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre on Saturday 19 December, with the Christmas in Ballarat program describing an afternoon and evening of carols and family fun. Entry is free, and there are market stalls, food vans, pre-show entertainment and free activities for the kids.
The main concert is supported by the Ballarat Memorial Concert Band and includes Auslan interpretation, local performers and a visit from Santa. The listing shows two time ranges, 2pm to 10pm and 3pm to 8.30pm, so check the organisers' website for the running order on the day. Travellers Aid will be on site to help people with mobility needs, and the event lists access features for wheelchair users and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Parent tip: Bring rugs or chairs. The page shows two time ranges, so check the organisers' website for the program on the day.
- Host
- Ballarat Carols by Candlelight (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre, Rose Hill Road, Mount Rowan 3352 (opens in maps)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New events in Ballarat every week
Rally looks for new Christmas events in Ballarat every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.
Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
More Christmas events for kids in Australia
- Christmas events for kids in Sydney
- Christmas events for kids in Melbourne
- Christmas events for kids in Brisbane
- Christmas events for kids in Perth
- Christmas events for kids in Adelaide
- Christmas events for kids in Gold Coast
- Christmas events for kids in Canberra
- Christmas events for kids in Hobart
- Christmas events for kids in Newcastle
- Christmas events for kids in Sunshine Coast
- Christmas events for kids in Central Coast
- Christmas events for kids in Geelong
- Christmas events for kids in Darwin
- Christmas events for kids in Wollongong
- Christmas events for kids in Bendigo
- Christmas events for kids in Townsville
- Christmas events for kids in Cairns
- Christmas events for kids in Albury-Wodonga
- Christmas events for kids in Bundaberg
- Christmas events for kids in Maitland
- Christmas events for kids in Mandurah
- Christmas events for kids in Rockhampton
- Christmas events for kids in Shepparton
- Christmas events for kids in Australia
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cosy story to share on the way home after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.com.au (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Ballarat: questions parents ask
What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Ballarat?
For 2026, we confirmed 11 Christmas events for kids in Ballarat, each on its host’s own page: Ballarat Carols by Candlelight (Mount Rowan), Christmas in Ballarat Art Trail, Christmas in Ballarat Decorations and 8 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Ballarat?
Yes, 6 of the 11 events here are free: Ballarat Carols by Candlelight (Mount Rowan), Christmas in Ballarat Art Trail, Christmas in Ballarat Decorations and 3 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa this year in Ballarat?
Where to see Santa: Ballarat Carols by Candlelight (Mount Rowan), Santa's Red Telephone Booth, Made of: Ballarat Christmas Shopping Night and 2 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Ballarat?
Christmas storytimes on this page: Christmas in Ballarat Art Trail.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 8 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.