WINTER FESTIVAL’S a wonderland

THE city will pull out all the stops to give visitors and residents a new look at the Ballarat during the upcoming Winter Festival.

It’ll see the city rug up in winter coat to experience the crisp outdoors or alternatively snuggles up indoors to discover new encounters.

Rediscover the thrill of winter from Saturday, 29 to Sunday, 21 July.

Armstrong Street South, beside the Town Hall, will morph into a pop-up ice rink giving budding Torville and Dean or Wayne Gretzky skaters the opportunity to show those moves.

Also watch the professionals perform at the new Neon Disco then skate away to music and lights in your dayglo colours.

The Mining Exchange will shed its 1880s history as it is temporarily turned into a Winteractive Arcade for two weekends during the Festival.

Winteractive gives gamers the chance to try their hand at Drone Legion, the locally developed virtual reality drone racing game or take part in a multiplayer game of Snake.

Take a look at the Tilt Brush demonstrations to learn how to paint in 3D with virtual reality.

The Prosthetic Reality Art Exhibition builds on the tech-art theme with twenty augmented reality artworks on display which come to life with the WinterActive app.

Head outside the Mining Exchange and use the app to bring six special artworks alive in the Activated Artwalk in the surrounding streets.

Winter Wonderlights will cover the Sovereign Hill buildings and streets with a light projection exhibition of colour and faux snow creating an enchanting wonderland of winter each night.

Marvel at the lights, enjoy a mulled wine and browse the Christmas market.

Head to Kryal Castle to behold the spectacular Flaming Joust as Sir Hector meets the Black Knight in a fiery clash as they battle to cure the icy heart of the Snow Queen.

When it’s time to seek the warmth of indoors sit in front of the open fire at Mitchell Harris wine bar with a glass of shiraz and you won’t even notice the temperature outside.

For a coffee, breakfast or brunch warmed by a wood heater wander down McKenzie Street to the renovated heritage warehouse that is Hydrant Food Hall.

Take the kids to Carboni’s Italian Kitchen for a Saturday morning pizza making class.

Over three-hours they will have fun learning dough making, stretching, topping and enjoy lunch with pizza and chips and a soft drink.

For details on Ballarat Winter Festival go to visitballarat.com.au.