G’day Ballarat! Before we get into this week’s local stories, I just want to acknowledge the tragic mass shooting in Sydney last Sunday. Like many of you, I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear what happened.

Australia is built by people from all over the world, with different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. Understanding and respecting those differences is what makes this country such a great place to live. I truly hope we never see something like this again.

- Luciano Devoto

A big thank you to everyone who shared Ballarat Life with friends, family and fellow Ballaratians. The three subscribers who referred the most new readers and have scored a free personalised Magic Elf video are: Tanya Reid, Carl West and Lucy Jensen.

I’ll be in touch shortly to organise your Elf masterpiece. And to everyone who helped spread the word, you’re legends. More fun coming soon.

Carols by Candlelight is back this Saturday 20 December at the Ballarat Showgrounds, and it’s the good kind of chaos. Gates open from 5pm with kids’ activities and food vans, then carols kick off around 7.30pm.

It’s free, alcohol-free and very Ballarat. Bring a rug, maybe a thermos, and accept you’ll bump into half the town. There’s even a shuttle bus from Selkirk Stadium if parking tests your patience.

If you’ve spent any mornings around Lake Wendouree, chances are you’ve seen Jack Yang, calmly guiding locals through tai chi while sharing culture, conversation and a bit of calm before the day kicks off.

After three years in visa limbo, Jack has now been granted permanent residency thanks to ministerial intervention, and backed by 30,000 people signing a petition to help him stay.

It’s official. After community consultation, Weeramar Park at Gillies and Norman streets has been locked in as the site for the new Wendouree Library. Council backed the location at the December meeting, with locals asking for things like accessible parking, quiet study spots and flexible spaces for programs and events. A modern, purpose-built library for Ballarat’s growing west is now firmly on the way.

Summer just got a bit more fun. A bunch of Ballarat’s neighbourhood parks have had fresh upgrades with new playgrounds, paths, seating and turf ready for families and kids to enjoy. They’re part of the City’s parks program and include spots at Alfredton, Ballarat East, Black Hill, Wendouree, Ballarat North, Invermay and more.

The City has chipped in funding for seven standout events coming in 2026, all aimed at bringing more visitors, more buzz and more reasons for us locals to get out and enjoy summer, autumn and beyond.

The line-up includes festivals, markets, arts and cultural celebrations, all picked for their vibe and their ability to show off what Ballarat does best.

If your Christmas shopping usually ends with “just grab a gift card”, this might save you. This Friday, the Ballarat Farmers Market is taking over Lake Wendouree with a Twilight Christmas Market from 4pm to 8pm.

It’s a popular one, with more than 10,000 people turning up in past years, so arriving early is a smart move. It’s also shaping up to be a warm evening, so bring water, dress accordingly and settle in for a relaxed Friday night wander.

🛏 3 🛁 1 🚗 1 | 💰 $380,000

This tidy Black Hill home ticks the big boxes: location, space and price. It’s a three-bedroom house on a decent block, close to town and well below many city-edge listings.

You get room to move without blowing the budget. The roof’s a little weathered, so factor that in, but for the right buyer, this one’s all about potential.

The warmer weather has me thinking less about food and more about a good G&Ts. So this week, I’m switching things up and moving from plates to pours.

Where’s your go-to spot in Ballarat for a great cocktail? The place you head to with friends, order “whatever you recommend” and trust it’ll be spot on. Cast your vote below and let me know where I should be heading next.

Handpicked activities for all ages

Christmas Spectacular Market | Sat, 20 Dec | 2:00pm - 7:00pm | ($4.00)
Venue: South Gardens Reserve
Description: A festive day with holiday cheer, unique gifts, and delicious food. Featuring free kids activities. Note: Entry fee applies ($4, under 2 free).

Huge Book Sales Ballarat! - Christmas Special | Sat, 20 Dec | 10:00am - 3:00pm | (Free Entry)
Venue: Victorian Railways Institute Hall
Description: Thousands of books to browse at $3 each, mystery wrapped books, and coffee van onsite.

Ballarat Farmers Market: Twilight Christmas Edition | Fri, 19 Dec | 4:00pm - 8:00pm | (Free)
Venue: North Gardens Reserve, Lake Wendouree
Description: A massive "Twilight" event with 200+ stalls. Features an expanded "Eat Street" with food vans and local gin/wine producers.

Creswick Market | Sat, 20 Dec | 9:00am - 1:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Creswick Neighbourhood Centre
Description: A tourist-rated village market winding through community gardens. Features a "Makers Hall" indoors and fresh produce.

Carols at Vic Park | Sat, 20 Dec | 6:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Victoria Park (hosted by Ebenezer Presbyterian Church)
Description: A family-friendly community carols event with kids games, a free BBQ, coffee, and ice cream available.

BPAC Christmas Carol Singalong | Sun, 21 Dec | 12:30pm - 4:00pm | (Free)
Venue: 501 Neill Street (Soldiers Hill)
Description: A BBQ on the lawn, cheap snags, free craft activities, and a good old-fashioned carol singalong.

Ballarat Carols by Candlelight | Sat, 20 Dec | 5:00pm - 10:00pm | (Donation)
Venue: Ballarat Showgrounds (Mt Rowan)
Description: The region's major festive event featuring Jason Wasley and VOX. Strictly alcohol-free. Shuttles run continuously from Selkirk Stadium.

Family Vigil Mass | St Patrick’s Cathedral | 6:00pm | (Info)
Candlelight Lessons & Carols | St Paul’s Anglican Church (Bakery Hill) | 5:00pm | (Info)
Midnight Choral Eucharist | Christ Church Cathedral | 11:00pm | (Info)
Midnight Mass | St Patrick’s Cathedral | 12:00am | (Info)

Chipmunks BIG Christmas Party | Sat, 20 Dec | 5:30pm - 8:00pm | (Ticketed)
Venue: Chipmunks Playland Ballarat
Description: A magical family night with a Santa visit, gifts, treat bags, live DJ, and dance party. Bookings essential.

Ride with Santa (FINAL DAY) | Sat, 20 Dec | 10:00am-11:30am | ($15 Adult / $7 Child)
Venue: Ballarat Tramway Museum
Description: The final opportunity for 2025 to ride the heritage trams with Santa. Includes a small gift for children.

Christmas with the Neighbours | Sun, 21 Dec | 9:30am - 11:30am | (Free)
Venue: The Salvation Army Delacombe (104 Greenhalghs Road)
Description: A free family event featuring a petting zoo, bacon & egg rolls, games, crafts, and icy poles.

Buninyong Blue Light Disco | Fri, 19 Dec | 7:00pm | ($10.00)
Venue: Buninyong Town Hall
Description: A fully supervised social event for primary school age youth (Grades 4-6). Features a DJ, lights, and canteen.

Casual Canvas Sessions | Sat, 20 Dec | 10:15am - 4:00pm | ($29.50)
Venue: The Art Club Hub (Bridge Mall)
Description: A self-guided painting session in the heart of Bridge Mall. All materials provided for a low-pressure, creative social experience.

A Moment in Time (BSA) | Sun, 21 Dec | 10:00am - 3:00pm | (Free)
Venue: Lake Wendouree Museum
Description: A summer exhibition by the Ballarat Society of Artists featuring works by 20 members in oil, watercolor, and photography.

Tas Wansbrough - Fragments of Healing | Thu, 18 Dec - Wed, 24 Dec | 12:00pm - 4:00pm (Thu-Sun) | (Free)
Venue: Backspace Gallery
Description: A contemplative exhibition centered on themes of recovery and nature, providing a quiet counter-narrative to the festive season bustle.

Stitches and Screenings: The Muppet Christmas Carol | Thu, 18 Dec | 6:30pm | (From $25.00)
Venue: Regent Cinemas
Description: A "lights up" event allowing attendees to knit or crochet while watching the 1992 classic.

Please note: Always double-check with venues for any last-minute changes or ticketing requirements.)

North Gardens Reserve | Twilight Gypsi (Market Acoustic) | 4:00pm
The Painted Lady 1862 | Cosmonaut, Dinosaur Man & Hypnagogic Fondue | 8:00pm
The Munster Arms Hotel | White Line Fever | 7:00pm
Freight Bar | FR8 Fridays (Live Duo) | 7:00pm
Volta | Naughty or Nice Christmas Party | 7:00pm

The Main Bar | Dead Salesmen Festive Hodown | 8:00pm
The Painted Lady 1862 | The Valentines (Smoky Jazz Duo) | 8:00pm
Volta | Fall and Resist + Distorta + Emerge | 7:00pm | (~$20.00)
Lake View Hotel | No Mistake | 9:30pm
Bridge Mall | Ballahornication (Roving Funk/Brass) | 12:00pm

The Black Hill Hotel | Troy Elliot, Harry Lamb | 2:00pm - 10:00pm | (Free)
Brown Hill Hotel | Love U Long Time & Matt Forbes | 1:00pm | (Free)
The Grand Ballarat | Festive Sunday (4 Bands) | 1:00pm | ($10.00)
The Park Hotel | Troy Elliot Live | 5:00pm - 8:00pm | (Free)
Beavs Bar | 70's Glam Rock Explosion | 6:00pm

Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | A Night of Big Band (Billy Hinde) | 7:30pm

The Park Hotel | Troy Elliot Xmas Eve | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | (Free)

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Until next Thursday!