Lights to delight on winter nights

COLD evenings on the streets and diggings of Sovereign Hill will be brightened with vibrant, warm colour as the Winter Wonderlights festivities return this month.

Running for just over three weeks from Saturday, 25 June, the living museum has lots of “wintry delights” and shining sensory experiences planned into the night.

Projections onto iconic buildings, an accompanying festive soundtrack, and falling ‘faux’ snow are set to dazzle audiences young and old, while children’s activities, musical and theatre performances, food, drinks, and toasty, roaring fires will also delight visitors.

The broader program includes the Diggings After Dark, full of sing-a-longs and police raids each evening, a nightly two-course dinner in the New York Bakery, and the Late-Night Wonderlights on Friday, 15 July where adults can enjoy the lights and live music over a drink from 8pm.

Blackbeard the Pirate, and the in-house Sovereign Hill band called The Welcome Strangers will perform for free nightly, and a traditional brass ensemble will play well-known classic Christmas carols everyone can sing along to.

As part of Christmas in July celebrations, families will be able to visit St Nicholas in his winter hut and take a photo with him, and children can make a crafty, artistic souvenir to take home.

The Winter Wonderlights will run until Sunday, 17 July. Sovereign Hill will be open daily from 10am to 7pm, with the light shows beginning at 5pm.

Tickets to enter are $58.20 for adults, $29 for children, and $146.40 for a six-person family, or two adults and four children. Some experiences require separate bookings.

Visit winter.sovereignhill.com.au for tickets.