Since 1891, the Royal South Street Society has delivered Australia’s premier eisteddfod through the RSSS Ballarat Eisteddfod — building confidence, creativity and lifelong pathways in the performing arts.

Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod

For more than 135 years, the Royal South Street Society (RSSS) has created stages where confidence grows, talent is nurtured and creative futures begin. Since 1891, generations of young Australians have stepped forward through the RSSS Ballarat Eisteddfod, discovering their voice, refining their craft and building lifelong connections to the performing arts.

What began as a community initiative has grown into Australia’s oldest and longest-running eisteddfod and the delivery platform for Victoria’s largest youth performing arts pathway. More than one million performers — from first-time participants to future leaders in the arts and public life — have shared in this journey.

Today, the Royal South Street Society continues to honour its legacy while investing in the next generation, strengthening communities and sustaining essential cultural and educational infrastructure for regional Victoria and beyond. In 2025, over 29,000 pairs of feet graced, strutted, moved and grooved on our stages!

RSSS Ballarat Eisteddfod Clr PMS 7562 And Back

2026

2026 Season - Entries Open on 01 March

10% Discount

10% Discount available for 5 or more entries (per competitor) in Vocal, Pianoforte, Speech and Drama, Dance.  See individual pages for full details.

2026 Ticket Information

Tickets will be available at the door or Box Office for all discipline events in 2026 - there is always room for audience to attend and we welcome the public to come and watch the brilliant performances - all events listed on the Events Page 

Ballarat Mechanics Institute, ACU & Founders Theatre session tickets are approx $10 adult & $8 child/concession

Her Majesty's Theatre tickets vary for each discipline:

Energetiks Dance tickets will be available via Her Maj once released. Reserved allocated seating required for - Energetiks Dance Troupes Weekend, Junior, Intermediate & Senior Dance Championships & Dance For Life - available from Her Maj Box Office or website from TBC via Her Majesty Theatre - Events

Australian Calisthenics Tickets will be available from Her Maj website once released. Reserved allocated seating required for Couture Costume Dancewear Calisthenics Solo and Couture Costume Dancewear Graceful Solo Finals - available from Her Maj Box Office or website from TBC via  Her Majesty Theatre - Events

2026 Countpro Showcase presented with 3BA and Power FM will be reserved allocated seating with tickets via Her Majesty Theatre - Events

If you have a group you would like to bring to any of our events - maybe Probus group, school group etc please contact us - we would love to welcome your group at a discounted rate - info@royalsouthstreet.com.au

Individual discipline programs available at each venue.

2026 Dates & Venues

June

 

13–14Solo Auditions (Calisthenic and Graceful) – Founders Theatre
13–14Freemasons Vocal – BMI
15–20Schimmel Pianoforte – BMI
21Celebrating Chopin – The Margaret Schofield OAM Memorial Award – BMI
22–27Freemasons Vocal – BMI
28Herald Sun Aria Heats – BMI
29Herald Sun Aria Semi-Final – BMI
30Instrumental Solos - BMI

September

1–4All Abilities – Farm Campus
16–30Energetiks Dance – Her Majesty's Theatre

August

3–7ACU Debating Heats – ACU
12–15Choral – Founders Theatre
17–21Instrumental – Founders Theatre
18ACU Debating Semi-Final – ACU
24–28Speech, Drama & Comedy – ACU
25ACU Debating Grand Final – ACU

October

1–3Energetiks Dance – Her Majesty's Theatre
2Dance for Life
4–25Calisthenics
9–10Solo Finals (Calisthenics and Graceful) – Her Majesty's Theatre
25RSSS 2026 Showcase – Her Majesty's Theatre

Events

What's On

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Freemasons Vocal Performances – Under 10 years

June 24 @ 9:15 am - 5:30 pm
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Freemasons Vocal Performances – 12 to under 14 years

June 25 @ 9:15 am - 9:00 pm
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Freemasons Vocal Performances – 14 to under 16 years

June 26 @ 9:15 am - 9:00 pm
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Freemasons Vocal Performances – 18 years and over

June 27 @ 11:15 am - 9:00 pm
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Freemasons Vocal – Senior Championship Challenge

June 27 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
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Herald Sun Aria – Heats

June 28 @ 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Disciplines

Disciplines

The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod is the country's oldest running Eisteddfod and home to Australia’s rising stars.

The annual Eisteddfod stage is a nurturing platform for artistic growth, where performers can develop their talents and flourish in the spotlight, or simply develop a love and appreciation for the performing arts.

News

2026 2029 RSSS Strategic Plan (4)

2026 – 2029 Strategic Plan – Stages for All

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Claire Thorpe welcomed as a new RSSS Life Member

AGM Board & Committee Post

2025 AGM

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Entries are OPEN

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Don Huntley Memorial Piano Recital – Sunday 15 March 3pm

Stages for All Victorians - School Partnership Proposal - 1

Stages for All…Your School can Partner with RSSS

Perform....Then Explore! Find Ballarat locals' favourite places

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A Royal Arrival: A Grand Piano To Elevate Ballarat’s Music Scene

Exciting News for Ballarat

 

Ballarat has welcomed a world-class musical treasure with the arrival of the Royal South Street Society (RSSS) Margaret Schofield OAM Memorial Piano. The arrival of the stunning Schimmel Konzert Grand K195 piano, marks a major milestone in the city’s artistic legacy.

Our sincere thanks to the wonderful community who helped us make this happen and will forever be remembered for their support of the performing arts. Special thanks to Andrew Cochrane and Cochrane family, Bernie Capicchiano and Bernies Music Land for their remarkable support. Thank you to our RSSSS community, and the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute for providing us with a stunning new home for our Pianoforte, Vocal, Chopin and Aria competitions.

 
You can come along now and see our beautiful new piano in action at our Pianoforte, Vocal, Chopin and Aria competitions.  Tickets always available at the door. Everybody welcome!

History

Explore our history through the decades

The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod stands as Australia’s premier eisteddfod, boasting an illustrious heritage of delivering outstanding performance opportunities for over a century. Since 1891 our enduring commitment to fostering and showcasing talent places us at the pinnacle of the Australian cultural and artistic landscape.

Stories

Find out more about the various disciplines and stories from Royal South Street Society. These stories are collated from interviews, biographies, archives, media and news. 

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Dame Kiri performance at Her Majesty’s

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2025 Prize Winner – Kengchon (Oscar) Kwan

Yvonne Smith Trophy

Recovering the Yvonne Smith Trophy

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2024 Senior Modern Championship Winner – Mia Quinlan

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W D Hill Gravestone Restoration Unveiling