Editing Ballarat (section)

===Events and festivals===
Ballarat is home to many annual festivals and events that attract thousands of visitors. The oldest large annual event is the Ballarat Agricultural Show (since 1859), currently held at the [[Ballarat Showgrounds]] and has attracted attendances of up to 30,000 and is an official [[public holiday]] for residents of the city.<ref>Oliver, Jordan [http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/crowds-flock-to-ballarat-show/2356395.aspx Crowds flock to Ballarat Show] ''The Courier''. 13 November 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eques.com.au/general/oct-06/ballarat_agricultural__pastoral.htm|title=Ballarat Agricultural & Pastoral|date=8 January 2007|access-date=16 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108125717/http://www.eques.com.au/general/oct-06/ballarat_agricultural__pastoral.htm|archive-date=8 January 2007}}</ref>

Ballarat is home to Australia's oldest and largest annual performing arts [[eisteddfod]]. The [[Royal South Street Eisteddfod]] is an all-encompassing performing arts festival and competition event that is conducted over twelve weeks annually.<ref>[http://southstreet.ballarat.net.au/ Royal South Street Society] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718194655/http://www.southstreet.ballarat.net.au/ |date=18 July 2008 }}. Southstreet.ballarat.net.au. Retrieved 18 August 2011.</ref>

From the late 1880s, there were annual competitions run by the [[South Street Society]], later revived as the [[Royal South Street Eisteddfod]] (in recess in 2020 due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria|COVID-19 restrictions]]).
[[File:Beggs avenue ballarat showgrounds from ferris wheel during ballarat show.jpg|thumb|Annual Agricultural Society Show at Ballarat Showgrounds, Wendouree]]
Lake Wendouree is featured in many including the biggest and most prominent is the [[Begonia Festival]] (held annually since 1953).<ref>[http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/35d65a20f36e90baca256dc0007bda69!OpenDocument Begonia Festival Enters New Era With Bracks Government Support]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403215226/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/35d65a20f36e90baca256dc0007bda69%21OpenDocument |date=3 April 2011 }} Minister for Tourism, 15 October 2003.</ref> SpringFest (held annually since 2001) attracts more than 15,000 people from around Victoria<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballaratspringfest.com.au/pages.php?page=11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718195136/http://ballaratspringfest.com.au/pages.php?page=11|title=Springfest-An initiative of the Rotary Club of Ballarat|archive-date=18 July 2008}}</ref><ref>Nolon, Patrick [http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/springfest-will-go-on-whatever-the-weather/1981489.aspx SpringFest will go on whatever the weather] ''The Courier'', 28 October 2010.</ref> and features market stalls and activities around the lake.

The Ballarat Swap Meet (formerly the Super Southern Swap Meet and held annually since 1989) attracts 30,000 visitors a year.<ref>Mcilroy, Tom [http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/ballarat-rotary-saves-the-swap-meet/2335760.aspx Ballarat Rotary saves the Swap Meet] ''The Courier''. 26 October 2011.</ref> [[Ballarat Heritage Weekend]] (held annually since 2006) celebrates the city's heritage with activities such as historic vehicles and displays in and around the CBD and has attracted as many as 14,500 visitors a year from around Victoria.<ref>pg 12. My Ballarat. August 2012. City of Ballarat</ref><ref>[http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/media/473801/10%20august%202011%20-%20public%20agenda.pdf City of Ballarat Ordinary Council Meeting 10 August 2011] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320175739/http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/media/473801/10%20august%202011%20-%20public%20agenda.pdf |date=20 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>Brown, Emma [http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/heritage-weekend-crowds-up-on-last-year/1824851.aspx Heritage Weekend crowds up on last year] ''The Courier''. 10 May 2010.</ref> The Ballarat Beer Festival at the City Oval (since 2012) has attracted more than 4,000 visitors.<ref>O'Neill, David [http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/01/23/433435_entertainment-news.html Crowds flock to Ballarat Beer Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127043452/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/01/23/433435_entertainment-news.html |date=27 January 2012 }} Weekly Times Now. 23 January 2012.</ref> The Ballarat Airport Open Day (Ballarat's unofficial air show, held annually since 2009) also attracts thousands.<ref>Pilven, Jack [http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/ballarat-airport-open-day-draws-thousands/2122452.aspx Ballarat Airport open day draws thousands] ''The Courier''. 3 April 2011.</ref>

Other minor cultural festivals include the Ballarat Writers Festival, [[Ballarat International Foto Biennale]] and the Goldfields Music Festival.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}