Tourism and Major Events Minister John Eren made the announcement on Friday at the Mining Exchange, which will glitter from dusk to dawn in March next year for the world-famous festival.

Producer David Atkins will become the new artistic director of White Night Melbourne and White Night Ballarat.

Mr Atkins produced the Sydney Olympic Games' opening and closing ceremonies.

White Night is Australia's contribution to the world-renowned phenomenon Nuit Blanche, where cities transform into all-night galleries.

White Night Melbourne will take place on February 18, before the first ever White Night Ballarat on March 4.

Tourism and Major Events Minister John Eren said Ballarat was a brilliant regional centre with a superb streetscape.

"What better location for the first ever regional White Night? This event will attract visitors from all over Victoria, Australia and the world, boosting the local economy," Mr Eren said.

The event has been running in Melbourne since 2013.

White Night attracted nearly 600,000 people into central Melbourne in 2016, according to estimates from organisers and Victoria Police.

The Courier