Ballarat Winter Festival 2025 introduces new Spiegeltent attraction alongside an ice-skating rink from 5-27 July.
The Ballarat Winter Festival returns with exciting new additions designed to shake off seasonal blues through expanded entertainment options. The 2025 festival introduces a spectacular Spiegeltent called Ukiyo, positioned in the heart of the city opposite the iconic ice-skating rink.
Ballarat Winter Festival 2025 runs for three weeks, featuring the debut of the 7.5-metre-high Spiegeltent that seats around 200 people. The tent will host multiple shows daily with programming designed for all ages, including family-friendly daytime performances and mature evening entertainment.
Ballarat Winter Festival 2025
- Dates: 5-27 July 2025
- Where: Across Ballarat
- Spiegeltent program: 5-20 July (school holidays)
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The Spiegeltent named Ukiyo, meaning floating world in Japanese, will be positioned in the centre median of Sturt Street. Traffic will continue flowing on both sides while the central intersection accommodates the new structure. Programming caters to diverse audiences with age-appropriate scheduling throughout each day.
Another debut attraction, Ballarat’s Hot Choc Showdown, involves around 30 local cafes and restaurants competing to create the festival’s favourite hot chocolate. This friendly competition adds a delicious element to the winter festivities while supporting local hospitality businesses.
The new experiences complement beloved festival staples including the ice-skating rink returning for its 11th year. Special offers support local businesses, with visitors spending $25 at participating venues receiving 15 per cent off ice rink tickets for the second consecutive year.
Additional winter attractions include Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill offering special rates for Ballarat locals, and Kryal Castle presenting the Knights of Fire program. These established attractions work alongside new additions to create comprehensive winter entertainment.
The festival extends beyond the main attractions with diverse programming across all age groups. Family-friendly events include a Harry Potter Treasure Hunt running 5-20 July, Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party on 17 July, and storytelling sessions featuring The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Adult programming includes The Design Exchange Winter Market, The Big Thrift Market, and author talks featuring local writers.
Additional winter experiences include the Ballarat Night Tram offering evening tours on 11-12 July, Casual Canvas Sessions for creative workshops, and Winter Glow events concluding the festival on 27 July. These diverse offerings position Ballarat as Victoria’s ultimate winter destination during the July school holidays.
The Ballarat Winter Festival represents one of approximately 15 annual events delivered by the City of Ballarat events team. Events delivered or supported by the council injected an estimated $52 million into the local economy during the 2023-24 financial year, with the Winter Festival serving as a core economic driver for the regional tourism sector.
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