The highly anticipated Ballarat Winter Festival is returning to the historic city from 24th June to 16th July, promising to transform the city into a magical winter wonderland. The City of Ballarat has announced a three-week program filled with winter-themed events, activities, and entertainment for both locals and visitors.
During the June/July school holidays, residents and tourists are encouraged to bundle up in their winter woollies and head to Ballarat for an unforgettable experience. The festival offers a plethora of exciting attractions that are sure to warm hearts, souls, and bellies.
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With a diverse range of locations and venues across the city, the Festival aims to dazzle and amaze attendees of all ages. From thrilling ice skating sessions to captivating fire jousting shows, the event lineup caters to everyone’s interests. Additionally, visitors can get up close and personal with kangaroos at the Ballarat Wildlife Park, indulge in Christmas in July festivities at Sovereign Hill, and immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Knights of Fire at Kryal Castle.
One of the festival highlights is the Ballarat Ice Skating Rink, a perennial favourite among attendees. Located in the heart of the city next to the Ballarat Town Hall, the pop-up ice rink offers child-friendly, sensory, and disco-themed skating sessions throughout the festival. Skaters can enjoy one-hour sessions from Sunday to Thursday, between 9am and 8pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays, between 9am and 10pm. Tickets for the ice skating rink can be booked in advance on the Ballarat Winter Festival website, with prices ranging from $9 to $18.
Another must-see attraction is Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, where visitors can revel in the magical ambience of a Christmas in July-themed spectacle. The event features a shimmering light and projection show, falling snow, warm mulled wine, delicious gingerbread treats, pantomimes, theatre shows, and hands-on Christmas-themed arts and crafts. Located at Sovereign Hill on Bradshaw Street, Golden Point, the festivities run from 10am to 7pm throughout the festival. Tickets for Winter Wonderlights can be purchased in advance on the Sovereign Hill website, with prices ranging from $17 to $37.
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Meanwhile, Kryal Castle will transport attendees into a medieval world with their “Knights of Fire” event. Visitors can witness a spectacular fire joust, be mesmerized by flaming swords, learn to sword fight and axe throw, participate in Knight School, and enjoy live performances recounting the story of Snow Queen Neva’s survival. “Knights of Fire” takes place from 10am to 4pm between 24th June and 8th July at Kryal Castle on 121 Forbes Road, Leigh Creek. Tickets for this event can be purchased on the Kryal Castle website, with prices ranging from $24 to $36.
Nature enthusiasts can head to the Ballarat Wildlife Park, where the arrival of Akasha, Ballarat’s newest tiger, will be celebrated. Akasha, a Sumatran/Siberian cross and the younger sister of the Park’s resident tiger Kai, will captivate visitors. In addition to the tigers, guests can hand-feed kangaroos, observe koalas and emus, meet a wombat, admire little penguins, and witness Crunch, the five-meter super crocodile. The Ballarat Wildlife Park will be open from 9am to 5pm between 24th June and 8th
The Specifics:
What: Ballarat Winter Festival
When: 24 June to 16 July
For more information head to ballaratwinterfestival.com.au.
