But next weekend, the two will collide as the city’s laneways not only light up in bold splashes of colour, but also the musical talents of some of Australia’s best performers over two nights.

Friday night headlining act Gareth Liddiard, frontman and lyricist for The Drones, will bring his unusual blend of alternative rock and the social vision of literary greats like Slaughterhouse-Five author Vonnegut and planetary scientist Carl Sagan.

Liddiard will be joined at Ballarat Laneways Festival – Local and Live – by the likes of The Furrs frontwoman Gabriella Cohen and local Cajun country star Freya Josephine Hollick.

Then come Saturday night, Gold Class, The Dead Salesmen Duo and Rhiannon Simpson and The Triple Delta will take to the stage, bringing swirls of post-punk, blues, drum-and-bass and lyrical melodies.

The two-night event, set against the backdrop of the Laneways Lumieres artistic light and sound installations, aim to bring a musical and multi-sensory experience to Ballarat’s month-long Winterlude festival.

It’s the second year the event has ran, but this year the event will be held indoors so patrons can enjoy the music – sans the freezing cold.

“The music is all indoors - it will be inside so it will be warm and wonderful,” City of Ballarat arts and culture coordinator Deborah Klein said.

“(After all), people are leaving their lounge rooms and their fires and their television sets.”

The evening events will be serviced by a Tiki bar, giving a balmy Polynesian feel. Ms Klein suggested patrons soak up the warming atmosphere.

“People can wear their Hawaiian shirts, just make sure you’ve got your thermals underneath,” she said.

Ms Klein said the calibre of artists had definitely expanded, thanks to the talents of event producer, Shaun Adams of Karova Lounge.

Local and Live will be held at Alfred Deakin Place, McCain Annexe on both July 15 and 16 from 6pm to 9.30pm. An all-ages gig will be held July 16 from 4pm to 6pm. All concerts are free.