Ballarat Winter Festival is a celebration of the city’s signature season through unique events, activities and offerings.

Between 25 June and 17 July, rug up and get amongst it as Ballarat transforms into a winter wonderland with a myriad of experiences to warm your heart, soul and belly.

You will be spoilt for choice with all the activities from the CBD ice skating rink and Kryal Castle’s Knights of Fire and Snow Queen Neva spectacular (25 June-10 July) to the Design Exchange Winter Market (9 & 10 July) and Sovereign Hill’s spectacular Winter Wonderlights (25 June-17 July), there’s something for everyone.

Plus, there are exciting new additions to the line-up to lure you out of your winter cocoon. These include The Design Exchange: Beyond Dark (9 July) – think fire pits, yummy food, mulled wine and wintery tunes and the Ballarat Wildlife Park welcoming its new tiger, Kai.

Also adding to the winter wonderment, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is bringing Skywhales: Every Heart Sings to Ballarat (9 July). The two hot air balloon sculptures are the work of Australian artist Patricia Piccinini and have been floating across the skies of eastern Australia as a touring event from the National Gallery of Australia.

Ballarat’s cooler climate also serves as an idyllic environment for cosy dining experiences in front of a roaring fire at one of the city’s foodie havens. Immersive workshops showcasing some of the region’s most talented makers and creators – chefs, winemakers, ceramicists, jewellers and producers to name a few – also provide the perfect respite from cooler winter days.

There are also plenty of activities for the kids to be kept entertained.

Head here to be inspired to take a winter trip to Ballarat.