Ice-Rink building up to Bollywood finale 

As the Ballarat Winter Festival gets into full swing, once again the sounds of music, laughter and swishing blades fill Armstrong Street in the city’s centre.  

This year the Ice-Rink is introducing for two sessions only, ‘Bollywood on Ice’, with DJ Bobby M live and mixing the hottest Bollywood tunes on Saturday 16 July, at 7.30-8.30pm and 9-10pm.  

These two colourful sessions promise to be a fitting finale for this year’s Winter Festival Ice-Rink.  

But there is a lot of skating to be had before Bollywood arrives and already the hour-long sessions running throughout each day are proving very popular with all ages, in particular the Sunday sessions, freeing up Saturday to get plenty of family skating space.  

Last weekend saw more than 1,500 skaters enjoying the rink.  

Located in Armstrong Street South between the Town Hall and Myer the ice-rink attracted 18,000+ participants in 2021 and this year with less restrictions, bookings are also strong. The pop-up ice-rink is fun for everyone with a range of specialty skating sessions available including:  

• Child-friendly sessions: recommended for parents and young children up to 12 years of age, weekdays from 9-10am.  

• Sensory sessions: with no music or flashing lights and with restricted numbers, every Thursday from 9-10am (parents with children still welcome).  

• Disco sessions: 9-10pm on Friday and Saturday nights only.  

• Bollywood on Ice sessions: new in 2022, live DJ ‘Bobby M’ will be mixing the hottest Bollywood tunes for two skating sessions on Saturday 16 July, 7:30-8:30pm and 9-10pm.  

With a limited three-week season, tickets to ice-skate sell quickly so be sure to book your tickets online early at www.ballaratwinterfestival.com.au 

Ballarat Councillor Samantha McIntosh said that the City of Ballarat was excited to deliver another Winter Festival and showcase how good Ballarat really is in winter. 

“There is no doubt that this event not only puts on a great show for our local community, it’s also a fantastic opportunity for visitors to enjoy and get to know our city and already this year we are seeing a fantastic festival with less restrictions and an exciting program,” she said.  

“It really is a terrific line-up of events including Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights, Kryal Castle’s Knights of Fire and Snow Queen Neva, the pop-up ice-rink, Design Exchange Winter Market and Ballarat Wildlife Park’s winter welcome of new Tiger ‘Kai’.    

“We also have a very special addition in Skywhales: Every Heart Sings spectacular hot air balloons and the new Design Exchange’s Beyond Dark, an event that celebrates the moody depths of winter with food, mulled wine, fire pits, music and roving performers.  

“It really is a Winter Festival of warmth for all the family, friends and visitors alike. It’s been a cold start to winter and this iconic Ballarat festival gives everyone the perfect excuse to rug up, get out, support local businesses and enjoy some fantastic entertainment and local hospitality.”