Ballarat Winter Festival returns for 2022

The 2022 Ballarat Winter Festival is set to dazzle and amaze again this year following the official launch at the Art Gallery of Ballarat today. 

The festival runs from Saturday 25 June to Sunday 17 July and is sure to bring some warmth to locals and visitors alike with yet another fantastic line up of winter activities. 

Headlined by Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights, there are several new events added to this year’s festival line-up.

One of which will see renowned Australian contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhales: Every Heart Sings, the spectacular hot air balloon sculptures will take flight from Eastern Oval on 9 July.

Patrons will also enjoy the thoughtfully curated Design Exchange Winter Market, spanning two-days on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July, and showcasing Victoria’s most creative designers and makers in the Ballarat Mining Exchange.

This winter, The Design Exchange presents the inaugural Beyond Dark, a new event that celebrates the moody depths of winter with food, mulled wine, fire pits, live music and roving performers, Saturday 9 July in Alfred Deakin Place and Camp Street. 

The ever-popular Ballarat Winter Festival ice-rink will return in the heart of the city. Offering child-friendly, sensory, and disco skating sessions. This year the rink will also include ‘Bollywood on Ice’ sessions with a live DJ mixing the hottest Bollywood tunes whilst you skate. Ice-skating tickets sell quickly, and advanced online bookings are encouraged.

At the Ballarat Wildlife Park, guests will be able to warm themselves by the fire, purchase a bowl of spicy noodles and meet the new tiger, Kai. 

Running every day of the winter school holidays, Kryal Castle celebrate Knights of Fire and Snow Queen Neva. One can create magical potions, learn to sword fight or axe throw, partake in Knight School and experience live performances. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said this year was a fantastic opportunity to get behind the Ballarat Winter Festival and enjoy the opportunity to invite family and friends to get together and come and experience the best of Ballarat hospitality and entertainment.

“There will be so much going on from the tremendous Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill to the Knights of Fire and Snow Queen Neva at Kryal Castle, our ever-popular ice rink in the centre of the city, the Design Exchange Winter Market coupled with their inaugural Beyond Dark event, the opportunity to meet Kai the Ballarat Wildlife Park’s new tiger and of course Skywhales which promises to be truly spectacular,” he said.

“Winter in Ballarat, contrary to popular belief, is an extremely warm place to be.

“Warm in hospitality, friendship, entertainment, and steaming cups of hot chocolate and an incredible culinary, café and boutique distillery and brewing scene.

“The City of Ballarat is again excited to help deliver the Winter Festival, and it’s a terrific opportunity to rug up and get out to support local business, enjoy our community and being with family and friends in a great winter spirit.” 

To find out more about the full program of Ballarat Winter Festival activities visit ballaratwinterfestival.com.au