Things heating up for Winter Fest

THIS year’s Ballarat Winter Festival is giving people a range of events to accompany the frostier climate.

Launched at the Art Gallery of Ballarat last week, this year’s festival will run from Saturday, 25 June to Sunday, 17 July.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said the winter favourite will have many attractions that will aim to get people out and about.

“There used to be a time when we just passed the winter months away and go and hide, but these days we come out and play,” he said.

“There’s just so much to do and we hope that Ballarat people can grab their friends and family to get out and enjoy it.”

New additions to the festival include artist Patricia Piccinini’s hot-air balloon display, Skywhales: Every Heart Sings, which will take to the heavens on Saturday, 9 July from Eastern Oval.

That same day, The Design Exchange will hold their two-day winter market at the Ballarat Mining Exchange and introduce Beyond Dark, a winter-themed market to be held at Alfred Deakin Place.

Kryal Castle will revive their festival mainstays with the Knights of Fire and Snow Queen Neva attractions running throughout the winter school holidays.

Kids will be able to paint their own Sloshy the Snowman at Pinot and Picasso, while The Ballarat Wildlife Park is using the festivities to introduce their new tiger, Kai.

Returning festival staples include the pop-up ice rink with their Bollywood on Ice offerings, and Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights, which drew in 70,000 people and circulated $20 million into the local economy.

Sovereign Hill CEO Sara Quon said she’s keen to beat last year’s numbers with two new additions to the program.

“We’ll be doing a late-nights Wonderlights night during the festival and diggings after dark,” she said.

“I think people are starting to feel a little more confident to travel and I think Ballarat in winter is a perfect option for people.”