Older residents are encouraged to get involved, make connections, and try something new this October during the 2026 Ballarat Seniors Festival.
Delivered as part of the statewide Victorian Seniors Festival, this year’s theme, ‘Connect, Create, Celebrate’, reflects the festival’s focus on bringing people together, supporting lifelong learning and celebrating the contributions of older people.
Highlights include the Victorian Seniors Festival Country Concert, free fitness and wellbeing activities, guided tours, workshops and social events across the municipality.
City of Ballarat Sebastopol Ward Councillor, Des Hudson joined local community group representatives to launch the 2026 Ballarat Seniors Festival program, which features more than 100 events and activities designed to promote positive ageing this October.
“The Ballarat Seniors Festival is one of the highlights of our community calendar, bringing people together through a diverse program of activities delivered by and for our community,” he said.
“Whether it’s connecting with old friends or new, trying a new activity or revisiting a favourite hobby, there is something for everyone to enjoy during the Ballarat Seniors Festival.”
The festival program includes a broad range of activities including guided tours of Ballarat Town Hall and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, walking groups and outdoor activities, sports come-and-try sessions, movie screenings, Senior Citizens Club open days, social gatherings and workshops.
A standout event for this year’s program is the Victorian Seniors Festival Country Concert featuring acclaimed vocalist Dannielle De Andrea. With a career spanning multiple genres, Dannielle first gained national recognition following a duet performance with John Farnham in the 1980s and continues to captivate audiences across Australia.
The free concert will be held at 11am on Tuesday, 6 October at Civic Hall, with doors opening at 10am. A free park-and-ride service will operate from City Oval at 10.30am. Bookings for the park-and-ride service can be made at events.humanitix.com/host/ageing-well-ballarat or by contacting 5320 5500 and asking to speak to the Ageing Well team.
Both the park-and-ride service and Civic Hall are fully accessible, ensuring all residents can enjoy the event.
The City of Ballarat’s Ageing Well Services will also support the festival with a range of free social activity classes for residents aged 55 and over throughout October.
A dedicated ‘Bring Your Bills’ Day will also be held on Friday, 16 October, providing residents with the opportunity to meet directly with local service providers and support agencies for practical advice and assistance.
Residents aged 60 and over can also take advantage of a free seven-day pass at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre, along with a range of complimentary ‘come and try’ fitness and wellbeing classes.
The Ballarat Seniors Festival runs throughout October 2026. To view the full program and find events, visit ballaratseniorsfestival.com.au
Moyle and Rick from the Ballarat East Community Men’s Shed (BECS) will welcome community members at the BECS Open Day as part of Ballarat Seniors Festival on Wednesday 14 October.
