Hundreds of people flocked to Ballarat’s iconic tourist attraction on Friday night to catch a glimpse of a world-class light show which launched the museum’s Christmas in July program.

The Christmas Wonder Lights Show was developed by The Electric Canvas, an award-winning projection company that assisted in making White Night Melbourne and Vivid Sydney. 

The winter chill had set in for the night and children, rugged up in their woollen beanies and hooded coats danced among the falling snow, while others perched on their parents’ shoulders to catch a better glimpse of the show.

The street was lined with Christmas lights and Victorian-style Christmas trees and decorations. Bells rang and a Victorian-era choir sang carols as the dazzling light show was unveiled. 

Images celebrating the festive season and Sovereign Hill’s star attractions were projected onto museum buildings along Main Street.

Ballarat mother of two, Jacinta Kitson, attended the launch with her children Pearl, 7, and Rudy, 9.

“It has been absolutely breathtaking,” she said. “It is the type of thing you cannot describe or capture in a photograph. 

“The falling snow, the beautiful lights and just the positive feeling among people who are sharing the moment with you. 

“It was an amazing show.”

Ms Kiston said she had also been impressed by the free Christmas gifts placed under trees that had been distributed to children.

The Electric Canvas projection designer and technical director Peter Milne said endless hours had been spent behind the scenes in the past five weeks to ensure the light show came to life.

Mr Milne and his team spent days at the museum figuring out where they could hide the hundreds of lights among the buildings.

“During the day, Sovereign Hill is a historical museum so you don’t want to see any modern technology,” he said. “It was important for us to hide these lights into discreet areas to ensure a beautiful projection of images and magical show.”

Mr Milne said he had been approached by the museum’s director of marketing, Garry Burns, who had seen the company’s light projection work at Light the Night Melbourne and the Vivid Sydney light show in May. 

“Shortly after Vivid in Sydney we got a knock on the door and that’s how it all started,” he said. This year marks the museum’s third Christmas in July. Christmas Wonder Lights will run every night until July 13, from 5.30pm to 6.45pm.