Overview
Ballarat has really pulled out all the stops for their annual Winter Festival this year. Not only is the iconic Winter Wonderlights Christmas spectacle returning to Sovereign Hill, but the entire city is basically throwing a three-week winter party with events, live acts, food specials and activities popping up all over town.
Ballarat's Winter Festival runs from June 24 to July 16, and you can browse the full event program on the website here. The pop-up ice rink on Armstrong Street South is returning, naturally, with Bollywood on Ice sessions, disco nights and even a DJ-fuelled Latin Fiesta. Prices start from $9.
Victoria's kitschiest landmark, the faux-medieval Kryal Castle, is celebrating as you might expect, with knights wielding swords on fire. This one sounds frankly bonkers, and should be good fun for the kids.
The jewel in Ballarat's winter crown is, as always, Winter Wonderlights. If you haven't been to this one before, we highly recommend it. Rug up in Sovereign Hill with a warm cup of mulled wine as the fake snow begins to fall and the light show kicks into gear. Tickets start at $34.
Pro tip: don't underestimate the cold for this one. Ballarat does not do 'mild' winter nights.
Images: Supplied
Information
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