The weather may be chilly, but the atmosphere in Ballarat is set to heat up as the 2025 Ballarat Winter Festival kicks off this Saturday, promising one of the most action-packed programs in years.
Running from 5-27 July, this year's festival will once again transform the city into a vibrant hub of winter entertainment, cementing Ballarat's reputation as a premier events destination.
In the heart of the city, the much-loved ice-skating rink returns alongside an exciting new addition - the Ukiyo Tent.
The 7.5-metre-high tent, inspired by the Japanese term for "floating world", has found a temporary home at the centre median of Sturt and Armstrong streets and is set to become a hive of activity for the first two weeks of the festival.
Seating up to 200 people, Ukiyo will host 12 different varieties of shows across the festival (almost 100 shows in total), with a daily lineup of circus, comedy and live performances for all ages. Family-friendly shows will run during the day and early evening, with shows aimed at more grown-up audiences to be held at 7pm and 8pm.
The festival also features returning favourites including Sovereign Hill's Winter Wonderlights, now in its 11th year, as well as the dramatic Knights of Fire at Kryal Castle.
This year, Ballarat's Hot Choc Showdown will also see more than 25 local venues vying for the crown of being awarded the festival's best hot chocolate. Download the trail map, follow your taste buds, and sip your way across the city.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves got an early sneak peek inside the new Ukiyo Tent on Friday and said it would be a major highlight.
"I love the new addition to this year's festival and stepping inside, I know it's something that people will really enjoy," she said.
"This year's Winter Festival is one to remember, delivering outstanding entertainment for locals and visitors, while also supporting our local economy."
Locals and visitors can once again take advantage of the Winter Festival hospitality offer: spend $25 at a participating business and receive 15% off an ice rink ticket. Full details and a list of participating venues are available on the festival website.
The Ballarat Winter Festival is one of around 15 annual events delivered by the City of Ballarat events team and is a key contributor to the local economy.
In 2023/24 alone, events supported or delivered by City of Ballarat injected an estimated $52 million into the local economy.
To explore the full program, download the Hot Choc Showdown trail map and book your tickets to the various entertainment, visit the Ballarat Winter Festival website.
