Event Information
While Ballarat Carols by Candlelight is a free event, tickets and registrations are required to access the venue, including the pre-show activities.
2023 tickets are now available! Click here to get your FREE tickets!
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GATES OPEN @ 5:00pm for family activities and
Pre-Show entertainment.
Main concert begins at 7:30pm
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2023 Pre Show activities include:
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Ballarat Vintage Cars and Ballarat Road Rodders – car display along Creswick Road between 5 and 7.30pm
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HeyDeeHo entertainment on the main oval https://heydeeho.com.au/
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Perfit Training obstacle course on the main oval https://perfit.com.au/
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Kelly Sports on the main oval https://www.kellysports.com.au/greater-ballarat
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Read by Renee – story time and songs with our very own Renee dressed as someone very special… https://www.readbyrenee.com/
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City of Ballarat Brass Band – performing all your favourites at Gate 2 between 5 and 7.30pm
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Emotion 21 – Moving towards our inclusive future with a dance showcase by the Ballarat branch of Emotion 21 https://inclusionfoundation.org.au/emotion21/
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Chinese Dance Society – Onstage in full costume, performing a traditional dance https://chineseballarat.org.au/
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BCMA – Learn a dance with BCMA! www.bcma.com.au
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The Cast of Annie – Be entertained by the incredibly talented young cast of Ballarat Lyric Theatre's upcoming production of Annie. https://www.ballaratlyrictheatre.com.au/annie2024
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Come and meet Mickey, Minnie and characters from Paw Patrol on the main oval between 5 and 7.30pm thanks to Southern Cross Austereo
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… and of course a wide range of food trucks to suit every taste
What can and can't I bring to the venue?
Patrons are permitted to bring the following items to the venue
Comfortable clothing
Comfortable clothing appropriate to the weather, including hats and sunglasses for sun safety and rain-jackets or ponchos in case of rain.
Prams
Prams are welcome and are able to be brought on to the Mars Stadium surface. We ask that you be considerate of peoples view and fold down the pram or move it to the side to not block the view of people behind you.
Fold out chairs
Low fold out chairs are permitted in the front section of the viewing area, with the view of others in mind. Large fold out chairs, such as camping chairs, are permitted but are not allowed in the front section of the viewing area, so as to not block the view of others.
Picnics
Picnics are welcome in appropriate containers (no glass), along with your picnic blankets, cushions and umbrellas. Please note umbrellas must be closed during performances as they restrict other patrons' views.
Sealed water and refreshments
Sealed water or refreshments (no alcohol). Please note any unsealed liquids will be tipped out prior to entry, but can be refilled for free inside the event.
Patrons are not permitted to bring the following items to the venue
Alcohol
Ballarat Carols by Candlelight is an alcohol-free event
Knives of any kind
Cheese, or otherwise!
Metal cutlery
Plastic cutlery is permitted
Drones
Or any other flying equipment
Anything you want to sell
Any item that you intend (or such quantities of the item from which Ballarat Carols by Candlelight personnel can reasonably infer that you intend) to distribute, hawk, sell, offer, expose for sale or display for marketing or promotional purposes.
Illicit substances
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Animals
Except for registered assistance animals
Hardsided coolers and eskies
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Firecrackers, flares, explosives and flammable liquids
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Firearms and weapons
Weapons and any other items which could impede safety or people's enjoyment
Lasers or laser pointers
Any item that you intend (or such quantities of the item from which Ballarat Carols by Candlelight personnel can reasonably infer that you intend) to distribute, hawk, sell, offer, expose for sale or display for marketing or promotional purposes.
Scooters, skateboards and bicycles
Mobility scooters or other medically required vehicles are permitted.
Ballarat Carols by Candlelight personnel have the right to conduct security inspections and refuse entry of such items. Any items found on inspection that are not permitted will need to be disposed of or kept by personnel and returned to patrons upon exit.
COVIDSAFE Principles
We all have a collective responsibility to keep each other safe. The following are the basic principles our guests, personnel and stakeholders are encouraged to adhere to, regardless of the mandated COVIDSafe settings of the day.
Be mindful of space
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The COVIDSafe settings post-90% vaccination rate remove mandated density restrictions.
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However, all persons within the Ballarat Carols by Candlelight venue footprint are encouraged to be considerate of their fellow patron’s space and consider maintaining least 1.5 metre buffer from other groups where possible, when moving around the venue.
Practice good hygiene
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Practise good hand hygiene.
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Sneeze or cough into a disposable tissue or your elbow.
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Alcohol-based hand sanitiser stations will be positioned at all entry and exit points as well as dotted throughout the site for guests to use.
Consider mask wearing where appropriate
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The COVIDSafe settings post-90% vaccination rate remove mandated mask wearing requirements in outdoor settings.
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Indoor spaces are subject to the COVIDSafe settings of the day, as it pertains to mask wearing.
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Mask wearing in space-limited areas such as bathrooms should be considered.
Accessibility
We endeavour to offer as accessible of an event as possible, to ensure that our event can be enjoyed by as many as possible. When booking your ticket, there is a section for you to identify any accessibility needs you have, and notifying us of these will allow us to directly assist you as much as we can.
Are wheelchairs and walking frames allowed?
Yes, wheelchairs and walking frames are allowed in the venue and are allowed to be on the Mars Stadium arena. There is also existing designated wheelchair areas on the viewing bern, located on the Creswick Road side of the area. As these are concreted, you may find access more convenient here as opposed to the grass.
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Where can I park or be dropped off?
A drop-off zone will be located on the Creswick Road side of Mars Stadium, at Gate 2. Accessible parking is located in the North Ballarat Sports Club car park.
Have any questions about accessibility?
Send us a message via our Contact form, and we will assist.