Everything you need to know about White Night

One of Ballarat’s biggest parties in years is just hours away.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flood the city on Saturday night for White Night, with the streets and venues of Ballarat set to be transformed through illuminations, projections, music, and interactive works.

It is the fourth time the free event has been held in Ballarat, but the first time since 2019.

It will take place from 6pm to midnight on Saturday 1 June.

Based on previous White Nights in Ballarat, it is expected to generate between $3 million and $5 million for the Ballarat economy.

To make the most out of your night, find everything you need to know below. A great starting point is the White Night map to begin planning your evening.

The Program

Artistic Director and Creative Producer Andrew Walsh AM of renowned major events organisation Accolade.Event Management, has compiled a brilliant display that is certain to light up the city in dazzling fashion.

Laser beams, breathtaking projections, an array of live music, interactive works; the one-night-only event is something not to be missed.

White Night Ballarat will feature almost 40 projections and more than 100 artists and performers, many of which are from Ballarat and surrounds.

Featured local artists during White Night include the late Josh Muir, whose work ‘Still Here’ will be projected across Sturt Street, while a series of joyful projections by local artist Deborah Klein and the sublime work ‘Slow Curtain’ by renowned photographer Lisa Walker will also be on show for all to see.

The Ballarat flavour won’t be lost when it comes to live music either, with Ballarat’s own Yacht Club DJs, Sami and Lashes among the line-up of more than 20 artists split over three stages.

For more information about the program, visit the program section on the White Night website.  

Food and drink

It’s not just the brilliant lights and electric entertainment to make your evening complete during White Night – it will be a culinary delight to remember.

White Night is an alcohol-free event, but many of the local restaurants and bars will be open for business.

There will also be more food trucks in Doveton Street, covering a wide variety of cuisines and dietary requirements.

Across the White Night Ballarat footprint, festival-goers will be treated to White Night Bites – an outstanding array of culinary experiences to ensure a late-night feed can be on everybody’s agenda.

Visit the White Night Bites section on the Visit Ballarat website for more information.

Getting there

There will be extensive road closures and limited parking near the event, and attendees are encouraged to use public transport.

There will be extra train services from Melbourne and additional bus services throughout the night.

From 8.30pm until 1am, there will also be four bespoke bus routes operating from the Transport Hub at the Ballarat Railway Station Bus Terminal. The four services will operate to a 30-minute frequency along the following routes:

• Route 1: Alfredton/Lucas
• Route 2: Wendouree via Lydiard Street
• Route 3: Black Hill/Brown Hill/Canadian
• Route 4: Barkly Street via Sebastopol/Delacombe

Visit the Public Transport Victoria website for maps, timetables and more detailed information.

There will also be a free Park and Ride Shuttle running express between the Ballarat Lifestyle and Aquatic Centre (BALC) and the Transport Hub. It will operate from 5.30pm Saturday until 1am Sunday at a 30-minute frequency.

Due the limited parking around the event, attendees are reminded to only park in designated parking areas, show courtesy for nearby residents and avoid blocking access to any driveways or businesses.

Road closures

There will be extensive road closures in the Ballarat CBD in the lead-up to and after the event.

Initial west-bound Sturt Street closures between Armstrong and Doveton Streets will begin on Friday 31 May, with increasing closures until the entire event precinct is closed by 12pm on Saturday 1 June until 2.30am on Sunday 2 June.

Please consider alternate routes when travelling during this period, please be patient and drive safely on the roads.

Parking of private vehicles in the event precinct will not be allowed after 12pm on Saturday 1 June.

For detailed road closures in full, view the full list of road closures and see the map on the White Night website.  

Accessibility

White Night is an accessible event. All venues are accessible and road closures will be in place to make it easier for people to move within the festival area.

Each event on the program has its own individual accessibility rating, based on aural, visual and physical access ratings. These can be discovered by clicking on each specific event on the program.

The City of Ballarat mobility map helps people with limited mobility navigate the city. However, please note the map has not been adapted for White Night and not all accessibility facilities within the event footprint will be available.

Additional temporary accessible toilets and parent facilities will also be available during the event.

There will also be wheelchair accessible taxis at the taxi rank that will operate outside Her Majesty’s Theatre on Lydiard Street South.

The event is delivered and funded by the State Government, in partnership with the City of Ballarat.

This 2024 event is exclusive to regional Victoria and follows news this week of the City of Ballarat becoming the only location announced outside of Melbourne to host Cold Chisel as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour.

For all other information regarding the event, visit the White Night website.