Rug up and charge up for the Activated ArtWalk which will use augmented reality to add moving images, text and sound to six hidden artworks around the city's laneways and streets.

The EyeJack smartphone app will bring to life the stories of the artworks and of the people who once lived here.

After walking the streets you can get warm at the new Winteractive Arcade in the Ballarat Mining Exchange which will be a gamer's paradise. Winteractive will trace the evolution of arcade games from retro gaming to new technologies using augmented and virtual reality.

Visitors can play and experience how far technology has come, and see artist demonstrations of the new Tilt Brush Google app that allows you to paint in 3D using virtual reality.

"Our winter is well-known. Ask anyone about Ballarat and it's likely they mention how cold they think our city gets. But it's time we embrace our Ballarat winters," said Ballarat deputy mayor Jim Rinaldi.

"This Ballarat Winter Festival is all about bringing together the worlds of art and digital to encourage new ways of exploring this wonderful city."

Festival favourites including the Sovereign Hill's Winter Wonderlights, Kryal Castle's Knights of Fire, the pop-up ice skating rink and the Red Series Series will return, as well as the Sumatran Tigers at Ballarat Wildlife Park, Ballarat Foto Walks and The Design Exchange. The festival runs from June 29 to July 28. Visit ballaratwinterfestival.com.au

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