Everyone knows Ballarat is the butt of winter jokes about icy temperatures and grey gloom, but the Winter Festival is turning that around and providing a reason to rug up, pull on a beanie, get out and celebrate the chill.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last year more than 120,000 visitors enjoyed Winter Festival events with up to a third of participants coming from out of town, with many staying overnight or longer to enjoy the icy attractions.
The pop up ice skating rink alone saw 16,704 skaters take to the ice.
Whether you want to get active, enjoy the lights, eat and drink or see something new, there’s no reason not to brave the cold and enjoy the Winter Festival.
The Ballarat Winter Festival runs from June 30 until July 29.
HIGHLIGHTS
FAMILY
Pop-up ice-skating rink
June 30 – July 15
Lace up your skates and get sliding on the ice as one of the Winter Festival’s most popular attractions, the pop up ice skating rink, returns to Armstrong Street South until July 15.
There are eight, one-hour sessions daily at 9am, 10.30am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm, 6pm and 7.30pm. Adult $15, child $8, family $30. Bookings essential.
Christmas in July: Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill
June 30 – July 22, 10am-7pm
Sovereign Hill’s Main Street will again transform in to a colourful light-filled vista after dark with sparkling images and winter wonderlights dancing across the much-loved streetscape. During the day, Christmas trees and colourful decorations will will bring some Christmas in July joy along the street with children’s activities, theatre shows, snowfalls and even a visit from Saint Nick himself.
Adult $61, concession $48.80, child (5-15) $27.60, under five free. Family tickets available. Entry includes Sovereign Hill, Gold Museum and Wonderlights. Book here.
Laneway Lumieres
June 30 – July 29, 5pm-12am
Ballarat artists have been busy creating illuminated artworks and light shows that will give some of the city’s laneways a look they’ve never had before. Police Lane and Alfred Deakin Place will come alive with illumination and sound throughout July from dusk to midnight.
Don’t miss the Ballarat Dub Step sound-synchronisation in Alfred Deakin Place every hour from 5pm to 10pm to add some lit beat to your evening.
Free
Knights of Fire at Kryal Castle
June 30 – July 15,10am-4pm
The medieval action of Kryal Castle takes on a little more heat when fire is involved. Cheer for your favourite knight as Sir Hector meets the Black Knight in a flaming horseback joust in the Main Arena, and warm up beside the open fires dotted throughout the park.
Adult $35 , concession $28, child $16, family $99. Book here.
Hop Temple’s Christmas in July
July 4, 11, 18 and 25, 4pm-11pm
Enjoy the warmth of a mid-year festive season as Hop Temple celebrates Christmas in July every Wednesday night.
There will be live carols from the Haddon Brass Band, lights, a snow machine in Hop Lane, ugly Christmas jumpers and mulled wine and cider, and don’t forget to order a Hoppy Christmas Burger to fill your tummy while you’re there.
Attractions free.
The Meerkats of Ballarat at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Permanent exhibition, daily 9am-5pm
Six new meerkats have moved in to the Ballarat Wildlife Park. Meet Ode, Imani, Asha, Kali, Lul and Jamila and see their new enclosure, which includes a heated bedroom, at Ballarat Wildlife Park, and while you’re there say hi to all the other animals.
Adult $35, conession $29, children (5 – 15) $19.50, family $95
FOOD AND DRINK
Ballarat Potato Festival at the Ballarat Mining Exchange
June 30, 3pm – 8pm
You might think potatoes are best eaten as fries, but there’s every chance you’ll find a new spud favourite at the second Ballarat Potato Festival. Last year there was potato ice cream and cakes, what inspired ideas will the 2018 Potato Festival showcase? Entry by gold coin donation.
Salumi and Charcuterie Festival at the Ballarat Mining Exchange
July 21, 11am-6pm
With the recent boom of artisan produce, Ballarat will host to the inaugural Salumi and Charcuterie Festival with produce from makers of terrine, hams, salumi, bacon, chorizo, pate, sausages and other small goods.
The Red Series at the Ballarat Mining Exchange
July 28, 1pm-6pm
Celebrate everything that is good about red wine as you enjoy award-winning wines and local produce from the Grampians and Pyrenees while listening to live music at the Ballarat Mining Exchange. It’s the perfect way to warm up on a cold winter’s day.
Early bird tickets ($30) include entry, tastings, a souvenir glass, bottle bag and early bird 10% discount on wine bottle purchases. Tickets are available at the door for $35 and include entry, tastings, a souvenir glass and bottle bag. Get your tickets here.
Plate Up Ballarat Pie Competition
Until July 23
Vote for your favourite pie in the battle to be crowned Ballarat’s best pie. Each of the 20 pies in the competition feature three local ingredients, and licensed venues have paired their pie with a local beer or cider. The winner will be announced at the Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide match on Sunday July 29.
Hot chocolate historical city walking tour
June 30 – July 29, 10am and 3pm
One of the city’s most delicious walking tours brings to life Ballarat’s history as you walk among the gardens, statues and heritage buildings of the city on a guided walking tour. At the tour’s end, warm up with hot chocolate and cake at Craigs Royal Hotel.
Adult $35, child $12.
ART and ENTERTAINMENT
Into Light: French masterworks from The Musee de la Chartreuse at the Art Gallery of Ballarat
Until September 9, 10am-5pm
Works from leading French artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries are on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat in a major exhibition Into Light: French masterworks from The Musee de la Chartreuse.
Adult $16, concession $12, AGB member $10, student $10, child (16 and under) free. Book here.
The Jazz Series
July 6-8 and July 27-29
The inaugural Jazz in Winter series will bring some of the jazz world’s best performers, and its up-and-coming stars, to Ballarat over two weekends. Performances will be staged in various venues including Opulance, Ballaarat Mechanics Institute, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Craigs Royal Hotel and the Munsters Arms.
Check out the full program here.
Ballarat Boutique at the Ballarat Mining Exchange
July 8, 11am-4pm
The Ballarat Mining Exchange will be transformed into a luxury retail destination this Ballarat Winter Festival. Gather your friends and family and discover the best in boutique clothing, jewellery, cosmetics and homeware.
INFORMATION
Get the full program of the Ballarat Winter Festival at ballaratwinterfestival.com.au