Overview
Across 2021's cooler months, locations around Australia will transform into winter wonderlands, celebrating the chilly season in all of its frosty glory. From May through until September, The Winter Village is returning after its debut run in Melbourne two years back — and this time it's dropping by several other cities as well.
Modelled on your typically picturesque European winter market — and giving Aussies a taste of a winter experience that we don't really have otherwise — The Winter Village comes complete with an ice rink, an igloo village, daily snow showers, and a food and drink lineup. Think of it as your quaint wintery escape in the very heart of Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Parramatta.
Melbourne is the pop-up's first stop again, with The Winter Village bringing its frosty fun to Skyline Terrace at Federation Square (aka the top of the carpark) from Thursday, May 13–Sunday, August 29. But this event is actually running concurrently around the nation, rather than making its other destinations wait their turn. So, it'll set up at Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide from Friday, May 14–Sunday, September 5; at Northshore's Riverfront event site in Brisbane from Thursday, June 3–Sunday, August 29; and at Northbridge's Ice Cream Factory in Perth from Friday, May 28–Sunday, September 19.
A Parramatta stopover is also listed on The Winter Village's website, although no dates or locations have been provided as yet. So Sydneysiders had best cross their fingers that the event will make its way to the city.
Attendees will be able to dust off their skates and hit the ice, and hire a private igloo where you can wine and dine in cosy solace — either with up to five people in a smaller space, or in a six-metre-wide igloo that can cater for 14. Folks spending their time in The Winter Village's igloos will feast on grazing plates of chips, dips, mini pretzels, cured meats, fried chicken bites, mac 'n' cheese croquettes and more, drink their choice of wine or beer, and tuck into a chocolate ice cream sandwich for dessert. That's the $49 package, with the $69 option including espresso martini-flavoured chocolate fudge dipping sauce, berries, brownies, marshmallows, cookies and your choice of an Aperol spritz, espresso martini, wine or beer.
Or, get festive over brunch instead — which includes a 45-minute skate session and a meal afterwards for $35. There'll also be pop-up bars and outdoor seating throughout the village, should you be keen on heading along without spending time in an igloo.
The latest venture from hospitality group Australian Venue Co, the frozen oasis will be open daily and free to enter. That said, ice skating, igloo hire and a couple of winter warming beverages will come at a cost.
The Winter Village will head to Skyline Terrace at Federation Square in Melbourne from Thursday, May 13–Sunday, August 29; Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide from Friday, May 14–Sunday, September 5; Northshore's Riverfront event site in Brisbane from Thursday, June 3–Sunday, August 29; and Northbridge's Ice Cream Factory in Perth from Friday, May 28–Sunday, September 19 — and with details of its Parramatta visit still to be revealed. Head to the event's website to book igloos and skating sessions.
Top images: Mazloum J.