Lake Wendouree is featured in many including the biggest and most prominent is the Begonia Festival (held annually since 1953). SpringFest (held annually since 2001) attracts more than 15,000 people from around Victoria and features market stalls and activities around the lake.
The controversial Ballarat Swap Meet (formerly the Super Southern Swap Meet and held annually since 1989) attracts 30,000 visitors a year. 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. The Ballarat Beer Festival at the City Oval (since 2012) has attracted more than 4,000 visitors. The Ballarat Airport Open Day (Ballarat's unofficial air show, held annually since 2009) also attracts thousands.
Other minor cultural festivals include the Ballarat Writers Festival, Ballarat International Foto Biennialle and the Goldfields Music Festival.
Entertainment
Ballarat has a lively and well established theatrical community with several local ensembles as well as a number of large performing arts venues. Major performing arts venues include:
� Her Majesty's Theatre � Seating 940
� Post Office Box Theatre (University of Ballarat Arts Academy, Camp Street Campus) � Flexible Seating up to 100
� Helen Macpherson Smith Performing Arts Theatre (University of Ballarat, Arts Academy Camp Street Campus) � Seating 200
� The 1870 Founders Theatre (University of Ballarat, Mount Helen Campus) � Seating 600
� The Courthouse Theatre (University of Ballarat, SMB Campus) � Seating 140
� The Victoria Theatre (Sovereign Hill) � Seating 300
� Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts (Ballarat Grammar School) � Seating
