Events in Buninyong
2021
Life gradually returned to normal over the summer months after last year's pandemic restrictions and all was looking good until a resurgence of covid and another lockdown threw several much-loved events into turmoil once more.
The annual Road Nationals cycling races drew big crowds in February and the Buninyong Village Market was held on 27th March and 31st Jul,y but the organisers decided not to hold it again until next year due to covid-19 restrictions. They promise it will be back in 2022!
Buninyong Film Festival organisers were planning to hold this year's film festival later in the year on 27-28 August 2021, but unfortunately it had to be cancelled at the last minute due to another lockdown.
See their website: www.buninyongfilmfestival.com.au for details.
Sadly, neither the popular Sustainable Living Festival nor The Bard in Buninyong's annual performance could be held this year but both hope to be back early in 2022.
The Buninyong Festival has been held over until the last weekend in October 2023.
May 2020
2020 Buninyong Film Festival cancelled
The Buninyong Film Festival organising committee cancelled the 2020 festival due to Covid-19 social distancing requirements. Now in its 28th year, the much-loved film festival was sadly missed this year but organisers vow that it will return next year stronger than ever.
Update: The Buninyong Film Festival organisers are planning to hold the 2021 film festival on 27-28 August 2021. Watch their website: https://www.buninyongfilmfestival.com.au for details
February 2020
Sunday 23 February, 10am-3.30 pm, Royal Park, Buninyong
Don't miss it - it's a fun show! Played over two weeks in the beautiful Buninyong Botanic Gardens, Friday to Sunday, afternoon and evening performances. Delightful pre-show musical interludes with local musicians, 15 minutes before each performance.
Visit the Bard on Facebook: A Midsummer Night's Dream - The Bard in Buninyong
December 2019
Community Carols in De Soza Park. Kids activities start at 4:30, and carols start at 7
Buninyong Community Picnic, Monday 9 December
Community Picnic, Buninyong Botanic Gardens, from 6pm, hosted by the Buninyong and District Community Bank Branch.
November
Storytelling event, 22nd November from 7pm, Buninyong Uniting Church,
Buninyong Uniting Church is hosting a public storytelling event on Friday the 22nd of Nov, open to the whole community. People are invited to share up to ten minute stories from their lives on the theme of Home, and music will be provided by Olivia Shalders.
It should be a great event, storytelling always is!
Click here for more details
Launch of Buninyong promotional film - 22 October
Tuesday 22 October, 5:30-6:30pm, Buninyong Town Hall
Community bar and free sausage sizzle.
Come along to see this short video promoting Buninyong.
All Welcome!
Buninyong Festival - Sun 27 October 2019: 9am–4pm
It's a safe, fun and exciting day for the whole family with music, amusement rides, animal farm,stalls, food trucks and local community group information stalls. Thousands of locals and visitors come to the Festival which is accessible to all walks of life.
All stalls are situated outside in De Soza Park; many other ctivities are held around the town.
Art Prize and Exhibition in the Town Hall, Crack the Crater Fun Run and more ...
Buninyong's popular annual film Festival is on again, for the first time extended to three days, from 7pm, Friday 24 May to 3pm, Sunday 26 May.
Check out the great program and book tickets at buninyongfilmfestival.com.au.
Ticket prices:
- $90 - Season Pass (all 9 Films)
- $80 - Concession Season Pass
- $15 - Single Session Tickets
- Gold Coin - "Oddball"
Saturday Lunch Boxes - provided by Maggie & Kate's Cafe - $18 (bookings essential) fresh filled roll, piece of fruit, two small pieces of slice and a mini savoury muffin (vegetarian & GF option available)
Dinner at Pig & Goose - Saturday 25 May 6pm-745pm - 2 courses, 1 glass of wine - $65 (bookings essential) (menu choices will be offered during lunch)
Buninyong was humming over the weekend with a Bush Dance in the Town Hall on Friday 29th March, and musical performances on Saturday on the Main Stage in DeSoza Park,in the Town Hall, Netherby, the Anglican Church and in the streets.
For more info see the Bended Knee Music Festival website.
February
Sunday February 24, 2019 10am - 3.30pm at Royal Park
Come along for Sustainable Building, Designing and Smart Living advice, transport, and featuring All things 'e' : e-waste, e-bikes, e-cars etc
Love's Labours Lost, Buninyong Gardens, 8-10, 15-17 Feb 2019
Grab something to eat, drink and sit on and be entertained with Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost for 70 minutes or so. Juggling, dancing and pre-show entertainment, fun for the whole family!
Over two funny and romantic weekends in the beautiful Buninyong Botanic Gardens. Tickets available at the gate: $25/ adult, $15/con, $50/family. For more information and to book tickets, visit the Bard's Facebook page
Plan to get to the show early and enjoy the pre-show entertainment. Different days showcase different local performers for 15 minutes prior. So bring your picnic and enjoy. The much loved central goldfields band The Winter Berries will be playing on Saturday 9th at 12.45 and Sunday 17th at 12.45.
Annual Events in Buninyong
Buninyong hosts a range of popular events for cultural, food and sporting enthusiasts. As well as its regular monthly markets and annual festivals, big crowds gather in January to watch top-class cycling tournaments. Other interesting events, such as the Writers' Festival, are occasionally held here too.
The Bard in Buninyong
An annual production in the Buninyong Botanic Gardens of a well-loved Shakespearean play, performed by the local theatre troupe, The Bard in Buninyong, directed by Susan Pilbeam.
See more on the Bard's Facebook page: The Bard in Buninyong on Facebook
Buninyong Festival
Now held biennially in October, the Buninyong Festival has been a vibrant community driven event since 1975.
See Buninyong Festival or call 0408 116 202 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to contact the organisers or visit the Buninyong Festival website for more information.
Held on the fourth weekend in May, in the Buninyong Town Hall.
An annual feast of fine films interspersed with yummy food. Enjoy it on the big screen!
See Buninyong Film Festival or visit the Buninyong Film Festival website for more information.
To see all the Buninyong Film Festival programs and audience photos from 2002 to 2017, click Buninyong Film Festival Archives. (These archives have been restored from the former Buninyong Film Festival website.)
Buninyong Village Market
Held every few months, usually in the Town Hall precinct.
See Buninyong Village Market or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit Buninyong village market's Facebook page for more information.
Carols by Candlelight
Held mid-December in Desoza Park, starting around 6.30pm. A popular family event with massed choir, sausage sizzle, and a visit by Santa. BYO candles or torch.
Smart Building and Living Expo
Held annually at Royal Park, this local event is part of Australia’s biggest Sustainable Living Festival. Smart Building and Living Ballarat showcases local sustainable building and lifestyle services and products for those planning to build or retrofit sustainable home solutions, and those interested in sustainable lifestyle and food choices. For more information visit: Smart Building and Living Expo or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cycling Tournaments
January: Australian Open Road Cycling Championships
See Cycling
Some Special Events
Avenue of Honour Restoration - Community March
A large crowd turned out to watch and participate in the Community March along Buninyong's restored Avenue of Honour in Learmonth Street on 1 July 2017. Commemorative ceremonies, with a flyover by the RAAF, took place outside the Town Hall and the Avenue was rededicated to honour the 167 men of the former Buninyong Shire who died in World War I.
Inaugural production by the Bard of Buninyong
The Tempest in the Buninyong Botanic Gardens
Shakespeare's much-loved comedy brought magic to the Buninyong Botanic Gardens in February 2017. Directed by Susan Pilbeam, the play was a delight from start to end, as it moved through the Gardens, from the rotunda to the lily pond to the walled garden.
Visit The Bard in Buninyong's Facebook page
Beautiful Buninyong Exhibition
Artist Bruce Hargrave's lovely exhibition of Buninyong water colours was a delight for all who visited it in May 2013. Bruce subsequently painted a series of commissioned works around the district and can be contacted via his website Bruce Hargrave, artist if you are interested in commissioning a painting of this district:
Further afield
Ballarat Begonia Festival
Held annually over the Victorian Labour Day long weekend, the Ballarat Begonia Festival has gardening and lifestyle displays, horticultural exhibits, food and wine vendors, children's activities and entertainment.
