White Night is set to take over the heart of the CBD again this year, with action taking place along Lydiard and Sturt streets and in adjoining laneways between 7pm and 2am.

Last year more than 40,000 spectators took in some unbelievable art installations, and this year punters will be treated to 65 light projections, interactive art pieces and stage performances.

Here’s all you need to know about the art, entertainment and atmosphere of White Night Ballarat 2018. 

Buses will run to their normal timetable until 8pm on Saturday, with five White Night buses then running to and from Alfredton, Wendouree, Canadian (via Black Hill and Brown Hill), Buninyong and Barkly Street (via Sebastopol) between 8pm-3am.

These services will operate every 30 minutes.

Those wishing to drive are being urged to take advantage of the three free Park and Ride services. You can park at Federation University Mount Helen Campus, Ballarat Aquatic Centre and Morsehead Park, then catch an express bus to Armstrong Street South.

Temporary taxi stands will be established on Mair Street and near the corner of Sturt and Doveton streets due to road closures. See the full extent of road closures below. 

A forest of interactive musical cocoons called Metamorphosis by artist Beth McMahon and A Blanck Canvas is set to enchant viewers and probably be a bit of fun for the kids as well. 

Local street artist Stuart Walsh will create a fluorescent mural about the Eureka Stockade throughout the evening, a great one to circle back to across the night. 

Inspired by the artwork of Ballarat’s indigenous auntie and elder Marlene Gilson, an LED animation of Bunjil the eagle will be lighting up the Sturt Street median near the mouth of Camp Street. 

This unbelievable Dutch artwork has been brought from Melbourne’s White Night. Expect the cheeky skeletal pterodactyls from another world to light up and react to everything happening around them.

See the full program on the White Night Ballarat website. 

This year’s musical line-up definitely won’t be a drag. 

Verandah Virtuosos (and drag queens) Miss Art Simone and Miss Philmah Bocks will be stationed on top of the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute performing fabulous favourites from Celine Dion and ABBA. 

This year’s band stage in Lydiard Street South will feature performances by Stella Savy, Melbourne Djembe, Shirazz, Orange Whip, Better Than The Wizards, Laki Vallejo and Paige Duggen.

Music will also be blasting all night long at the BMI. Full line-up:

7pm – UKULELE AFFAIR

8pm – ARIAN LANE BAND

9pm - PAIGE & THE VINLEYS

10pm - TEDDY BARDWELL

11pm - HIP-POPATAMUS REUNION

12am - EMPIRE OF SIN 18+

1am - ANNA BILBROUGH

Read more Ballarat duo Hip-popatamus reform for White Night at BMI