December 25th, 2024Summer Sundays series returning to Ballarat

Local music lovers will be pleased to hear that a popular series of free live music events is returning to liven up Sunday afternoons in Ballarat this January.

Summer Sundays returns to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in 2025, ensuring both locals and visitors to the wider region finish the summer school holiday weekends on the right note.

In a new family-friendly time, the concert series will be held from 3pm-7pm every Sunday throughout January, allowing more people to be able to absorb the festivities.

Summer Sundays is the only live music event held in the central area of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and displays an eclectic array of music from jazz to country, blues to pop, soul to folk, and afrobeat to indie-rock appealing to a diverse audience.  

This year, the lineup consists of a majority of local artists over the four weeks, highlighting the event’s commitment to fostering emerging local talent while delivering on the City of Ballarat’s Creative City Strategy.

City of Ballarat councillor Samantha McIntosh said the event had become a staple on the Ballarat events calendar, with thousands of people enjoying free live music in a picturesque setting every year.

“What better way can you spend a Sunday afternoon than relaxing in our beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens while listening to some amazing live music?” Cr McIntosh said.

“We’ve seen some great performances over the years and nobody ever goes home disappointed.

“At a time when everybody is experiencing cost of living pressures, it is fantastic to be able to provide something free that the whole family can enjoy.”

This year the event will once again provide an array of local food and beverage providers, with at least nine different food trucks every night.

The popular Garden Bar will be set up once again with the fully-licensed option showcasing some of the region’s best producers, offering comfortable seating options, shaded umbrellas, and good views of the stage.

The Garden Bar will be delivered by Aunty Jacks, Kilderkin Distillery and Blue Pyrenees Estate Winery.

The Bean Bag Lounge will also be back to make the afternoon even more comfortable, although numbers are limited. Patrons are welcome to bring their own rug and picnic.

The Summer Sundays program makes up just one part of a busy summer of events that help deliver on the Events Strategy.

Also included on the busy summer calendar is Christmas in Ballarat, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular, and the Australia Day Picnic in the Park, all delivered by the City of Ballarat events team.

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release