17/05/2024 @ 10:30 am - 30/05/2024 @ 4:00 pm Free MH 94 Coliseum Grenville Street, Ballarat Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings of this new technology of ‘moving pictures’ were held at the Mechanics’ Institute. By the 1970’s, cinema’s death was being heralded after the devastating impact of television and the attraction of the drive-in, making…
18/05/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 11:30 pm $20 – $30 Returning for one night only The Vegas 70 was once the most popular cinema in Ballarat. The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and Showbiz Cinemas have collaborated to bring back the Vegas for the Ballarat Heritage Festival. The first moving pictures (called cinematograph) in Ballarat were shown at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute in 1896! In 1909 the…
19/05/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm $55 Australia's biggest and best comedy spectacular is setting off again on its annual road trip around the country! Showcasing the finest talents from the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we're delivering a dose of laughter right to your doorstep! Featuring a line-up of beloved comedy royalty alongside the freshest sensations from the Festival, all in…
21/05/2024 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm $10 A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Group Tours: Group tours can also be accommodated on other days.
22/05/2024 @ 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm $106.14 An all-drinking, all-eating exploration of the booze-fuelled birth of colonial Ballarat. Starting with a native botanical cocktail and snacks at Ballarat’s newest distillery, Itinerant Spirits, your expert guides - award-winning food and wine writers Richard Cornish, Max Allen and Ballarats own Zac Hill - will lead you on an indulgent, leisurely and atmospheric evening walking…
01/06/2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Free Join us for a glorious morning high tea and speeches to launch our first official Ballarat Pride Month! Dress in something that makes you feel fabulous! Pride Month (June) is the month where we celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual people. We take the time to acknowledge their contributions to the world, we commemorate…
02/06/2024 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Free Come help us celebrate the opening weekend of Pride Month with the Pride Month Market at the Ballaarat Mechanic's Institute. With art and craft stalls, trash and treasure and second hand goods stalls as well as the awesome Trans And Gender Diverse Clothing Swap and A Queer Little Library you're bound to find a gem…
17/06/2024 @ 10:00 am - 26/07/2024 @ 3:00 pm Free BALLARAT WINTER FESTIVAL - ART PROJECT | A Fortunate Series of Events: A Projection Installation by Human Designs, Featuring Melinda Muscat.
22/07/2024 @ 10:30 am - 27/07/2024 @ 3:00 pm RARE BOOK WEEK | This Vintage Book Sale will feature a variety of titles including fiction and non-fiction.
07/08/2024 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Free NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK | Researchers from across Australia are working at an underground lab in Stawell to uncover one of the great mysteries of the universe – the nature of dark matter.
23/08/2024 @ 8:00 pm - 9:10 pm $15 – $30 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF QUEER THEATRE | Serial nudist, Freankie van Kan achieves the improbable task of exposing more of herself than ever before. Recommended audience 18+
24/08/2024 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm $25 – $50 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN QUEER THEATRE | Presenting a writing and practice workshop.
Fundraiser for Ballarat RSL & BMI
$33 per person
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Bubbly on arrival featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop
Sunday 6 September at 2pm - Cost $65
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar
Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
