It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...
If you’ve longed for a white Christmas, then we’ve got good news for you. Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is transforming into a magical winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas in July with their annual ‘Winter Wonderlights’ event.
The key takeaways
- Celebrate Christmas in July in Ballarat with this annual event
- Sovereign hill will light up with building facades and kilometres of fairy lights throughout the garden
- The event runs from 25 June – 18 July
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Having taken a break last year due to the restrictions and coronavirus pandemic, Christmas is coming early to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat with the return of Winter Wonderlights, which will see the town spectacularly illuminated from 26 June – 18 July 2021.
Attracting more than 100,000 visitors of all ages in the past, the event will likely see the Victorian-style buildings along the main street come alive through the magic of large-scale light projections, Christmas animations and a trail of fairy lights throughout Sovereign Hill’s garden in the dazzling ‘Winter Wonderlights’ show. This show, set to Christmas-themed music, will be bigger and brighter than ever before with more buildings lit up in impressive style, evoking the spirit and enchantment of Christmas. Plus, there will be faux snow falling and that’s pretty magical in itself.
While the nighttime is a true spectacle worth seeing, during the day the entire Sovereign Hill township will evoke a sense of old-world Christmas wonder. Visitors can take a stroll down Main Street as decorations fill the window displays, the smell of Christmas treats and spices fill the air, and traditional Christmas-themed pantomimes are performed. As in past years, we’re expecting visitors will also delight in the Christmas market where they can purchase enchanting decorations, or try some traditional treats including a steaming cup of mulled wine, or a gingerbread biscuit. You can check out the full program here.
We imagine the cottages and gardens overlooking Main Street will also be filled with fairy lights, and candles will dance in shop windows, so no matter where you look, the old-world charm of the 1850s will bask Sovereign Hill in a golden, Yuletide glow. Entertainers, including illusionists and acrobats, will also perform, delighting visitors with their magical skills.
The magical Christmas event takes over Sovereign Hill from 25 June – 18 July 2021. Tickets are on sale now here. Bookings are essential.
