Put on those winter woollies and mosey on down to Sovereign Hill for Winter Wonderlights, a magical night-out for the whole family, including SNOW (not the real kind, but just as breathtaking). The time capsule of an 1850s Victorian town will also come to life with light projections and installations, leaving you enthralled by Sovereign Hill’s charm.
From June 28 until July 21 (including the winter school holidays), catch the magic of Winter Wonderlights for its tenth birthday. That’s right, this wonderful event has been taking place since 2014 and has contributed more than $25 million to Ballarat’s economy.
More than 770,000 people have visited Winter Wonderlights since 2014, and we can see why. Once a year the former gold-rush city embodies a magical spirit, with festive music and projections on shopfronts as you wander through the famous streetscape. All you have to do is wait until sun down, then wait for the magic to unfold.
If exploring the streets of Sovereign Hill works up an appetite, then it's a good idea to warm up with a delicious two-course hearty meal at the Winter Wonderlights dinner. Enjoy a delicious serving of roast turkey and glazed ham, served with roasted rosemary potatoes, winter vegetables, steamed greens, gravy and cranberry sauce. Plus, no festive meal is complete without Christmas pudding, served with crème anglaise, chocolate fondant, or you have the option of artisan ice cream, too. There's also vegan and vegetarian options, however that must be advised at the time of booking.
Your Winter Wonderlights ticket will also include entry into regular Sovereign Hill activities during the day and evening. You can book your tickets online, however you’ll want to get in fast to avoid missing out. Winter Wonderlights attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and tickets tend to sell out.