Get ready for a bigger dose of laughter, entertainment and winter fun as the Ballarat Winter Festival returns in 2025 with exciting new additions to help shake off those seasonal blues.
Running from 5-27 July, this year's festival will feature the introduction of a spectacular new Spiegeltent, set to become a major highlight.
Located in the heart of the city opposite the iconic ice-skating rink at the intersection of Sturt and Armstrong Streets, the Spiegeltent will offer a packed program of entertainment from 5-20 July, aligning with the school holidays.
Named Ukiyo - the Japanese word for "floating world" - the 7.5-metre-high tent seats around 200 people and will host multiple shows daily.
Programming will cater to all ages, with family-friendly performances during the day and shows for mature audiences in the evenings.
The Spiegeltent will be positioned in the centre median of Sturt Street. Traffic will continue to flow on both sides of Sturt Street however, the central Armstrong Street intersection will be closed to accommodate the new structure.
Also making its debut this year is the Ballarat's Hot Choc Showdown, a friendly and delicious competition involving around 30 local cafes and restaurants vying to be named Ballarat Winter Festival's favourite hot chocolate.
These new experiences will complement beloved festival staples, including the return of the much-loved ice-skating rink for its 11th year.
Visitors can also look forward to special offers supporting local businesses and making it easier for families to enjoy the fun. For the second year in a row, people who spend $25 at participating hospitality businesses will receive 15 per cent off their ice rink ticket.
Around the city, Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill returns with a special offer for Ballarat locals, while Kryal Castle will once again dazzle with its fiery Knights of Fire program.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves, said the festival continues to grow as a standout feature of the winter school holidays.
"The Ballarat Winter Festival is proof that there is so much to do in Ballarat during winter," she said.
"The new Spiegeltent adds another layer of excitement, and I can't wait to see it come to life and catch a show inside.
"Our events not only attract visitors and provide fantastic experiences for our local community but also have significant economic impacts for our city."
The Ballarat Winter Festival is one of about 15 annual events delivered by the City of Ballarat events team and is one of the city's most significant economic drivers.
Events delivered or supported by the City injected an estimated $52 million into the Ballarat economy in the 2023/24 financial year, with the Winter Festival a core element of the annual calendar.
To explore the full program and book your tickets visit the Ballarat Winter Festival website.
