Ballarat to transform into winter wonderland

Winter is coming to Ballarat and it’s set to bring with it visitors by the bus loads.

The city will transform into a winter wonderland from 30 June as part of the 2018 Ballarat Winter Festival.

Residents and visitors will have the chance to wander the city’s picturesque laneways which have been decorated and illuminated with art and sound to celebrate Ballarat’s status as a creative city.

Or invite your friends and family to explore the myriad of winter activities taking place across the region, and indulge in delicious foods throughout July as part of this year’s exciting program of offerings.

Some of this year’s highlights include:

Ballarat Potato Festival at the Ballarat Mining Exchange 30 June, 3-8pm There is so much more to the humble potato that just fries. Stimulate your senses and discover the variety of potato dishes on offer at the 2018 Potato Festival.

Pop-up ice-skating rink 30 June – 15 July The popular pop-up ice skating returns in 2018, providing families the chance to lace up and take to real ice during the Victorian school holidays.

Christmas in July: Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill 30 June – 22 July, 10am-7pm As the sun sets and the snowflakes fall, Sovereign Hill’s Main Street will be transformed by sparkling grand-scale images and bright Winter Wonderlights dancing along its familiar facades. By day, Christmas trees and colourful decorations will line Main Street.

Laneway Lumieres 30 June – 29 July, 5pm-12am Ballarat’s Alfred Deakin Place will come alive with illumination and sound throughout the month of July. Laneway Lumieres is the work of local artists and musicians and will take place from dusk to midnight, with Ballarat Dub Step sound-synchronisation every hour between 5-10pm.

Knights of Fire at Kryal Castle 30 June – 15 July, 10am-4pm Witness the flaming joust on the Main Arena as Sir Hector meets the Black Knight in a fiery clash.

Hop Temple’s Christmas in July 4, 11, 18 and 25 July, 4pm-11pm Hop Temple will celebrate Christmas in July every Wednesday night with snow fall in Hop Lane, Christmas carols, their Hoppy Christmas Burger and, mulled wine and cider.

Into Light: French masterworks from The Musee de la Chartreuse at the Art Gallery of Ballarat 23 June – 9 September, 10am-5pm Celebrate the best of French culture through this major exhibition which includes work by leading artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Jazz Series 6-8 July and 27-29 July Enjoy the sounds of jazz as some of the best performers take to the stage over two weekends in July.

Ballarat Boutique at the Ballarat Mining Exchange 8 July, 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.

The Meerkats of Ballarat at Ballarat Wildlife Park Permanent exhibition, daily 9am-5pm Six new meerkats have arrived at the Ballart Wildlife Park, meet Ode, Imani, Asha, Kali, Lul and Jamila this Ballarat Winter Festival.

Salumi and Charcuterie Festival at the Ballarat Mining Exchange 21 July, 11am-6pm With the recent boom of artisan produce, Ballarat will play 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 28 July, 1pm-6pm Enjoy award-winning wines and local produce from the Grampians and Pyrenees while listening to life music at one of the region’s most popular wine festivals.

Plate Up Ballarat Pie Competition Until 23 July Vote for your favourite pie in the battle to be crowned Ballarat’s best pie. The winner will be announced at the Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide match on Sunday 29 July.

Other highlights include the Cats in Art exhibition at Backspace Gallery between 5-22 July, the Ballarat Noir event at The Lost Ones Basement Bar on 14 July and the Bastille Day Ball on 14 July at the Ballarat Mining Exchange.

For more information visit ballaratwinterfestival.com.au

Quotes attributable to Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh:

“As residents we know Ballarat is a great place to explore during winter, and it’s pleasing to know so too do the thousands of people who continue to attend the series of exciting events on offer each year during Ballarat Winter Festival.

Our city is continuing to grow as a creative hub, and it‘s offering such as the wide range of wintery events and activities during Ballarat Winter Festival which inject life into our streets and laneways – encouraging visitation, bolstering a vibrant creative sector and leveraging the city’s position in the state’s events scene.”

Quotes attributable to Visit Ballarat Chair Sarah Beaumont:

“Appealing to holiday-makers looking for a magical winter escape, as well as locals who want to unearth the beauty of their city, the Ballarat Winter Festival is a key event on the city’s annual calendar and a key contributor to our visitor economy.

“The 2018 festival program will once again put all of our best assets under the spotlight – our premier attractions, our delectable eateries, our boutique retailers and our luxurious accommodation providers. Punctuated by the spectacular Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, it truly is a warming way to spend the winter season.”