Warm up with Winter Fest

BALLARAT Winter Festival is returning, with the addition of a Spiegeltent offering a program of entertainment throughout July.

It will be located opposite the ice-skating rink at the intersection of Sturt and Armstrong streets and be named Ukiyo which is the Japanese word for floating world.

Sturt Street will remain open; however, the central Armstrong Street intersection will be closed.

The tent will stand at 7.5 metres high and seat 200 people with multiple daily shows for all ages.

This year will also see the first Hot Choc Showdown where 30 local cafes and restaurants will compete to be named Ballarat’s favourite hot chocolate.

“The Ballarat Winter Festival is proof that there is so much to do in Ballarat during winter,” City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves 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 new additions will join festival favourites like the ice-skating rink, and people who spend $25 at participating hospitality businesses will receive 15 per cent off their ice rink ticket.

To view the full program, visit the Ballarat Winter Festival website.