Ballarat Winter Festival Returns to Warm Up The School Holidays

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The Ballarat Winter Festival is back from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 19 July to transform the region into Victoria's very own winter playground.

Spanning three weeks across the VIC, SA and NSW school holidays, the 2026 program is packed with fun and affordable activities that proves the ultimate winter escape is right in our own backyard.

From decadent hot chocolates to medieval magic, this year's program sees many festival favourites return even bigger and better than ever. Whether you're a local or escaping the big city, you don't have to venture far to find a winter wonderland.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ballarat's Hot Chocolate Showdown

Sweet tooths can rejoice as the Hot Choc Showdown is set to return with a city-wide celebration of winter's favourite comfort drink. Drink your way through the city and experience the delicious range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot chocolates before voting for the ultimate winner. It's the perfect way to warm up before exploring the rest of the festivities.

This year will see a trail of more than 30 custom hot choc creations from local vendors including cafes, bars, bakeries and more. Highlights include:

Hideaway Coffee Bar: A traditional style Paris hot chocolate served warm with a side of thick whipped cream and topped with shaved chocolate. It's a viral Paris experience right in the middle of Ballarat.
Roy Hammond: Spices, coconut, raspberry, chocolate, rhubarb, black tea, orange and Biscoff come together in a surprising combination of flavours that work together to take your taste buds on an adventure.
La Miette Patisserie: Their Grounded Pleasures hot chocolate infused with a house-made honeycomb and served with a fluffy honey marshmallow. Plus, a chunk of extra honeycomb for dipping into your drink.
Maggie & Kate: A rich spiced orange hot chocolate served with whipped cream and warm, buttery orange madeleines. It's comfort in a cup designed for dipping, sipping, and slowing down.
The Shared Table: Decadent Dutch hot chocolate 'affogato' served over house-made vanilla ice cream with a chocolate tuille. Guests 18 and over may order a shot of 'mischief' on the side - a wattleseed infused vodka with dark cacao and cream liqueur.
Cattelya Signature: A rich and velvety dark chocolate infused with classic Thai aromatics - lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, and ginger layered with coconut milk, pandan and palm sugar for smooth fragrant finish. Spiked with dark rum topped with light coconut pandan cream, it delivers warmth, depth and subtle hint of spice.

Beyond the hot chocolate trail, Ballarat will be bursting with things to see and do:

The Pop-Up Ice Rink: Lace up your skates and step onto the ice right in the city centre! Operating throughout the festival, the rink offers 45-minute sessions perfect for a quick afternoon activity or evening group outing under the stars. Plus, there will be dedicated themed nights, skating lessons, and special discounts which means taking the whole family onto the ice is more accessible than ever.
Winter Wonderlights (26 June – 19 July): Sovereign Hill is set to come alive with stunning light projections, music, faux snow, wintry treats, and a magical winter glow. Whether you're visiting during the day (trying your hand at gold panning) or grabbing one of the new night passes, you're sure to be captivated by everything the heritage sight has to offer. This year, Main Street will be filled with local storytelling bringing the Industrial Revolution to life complete with sparks, flames, steam and more.
Knights of Fire: Step back in time into a fiery, medieval fairytale at Kryal Castle. Australia's only medieval castle will host roaring stunt displays, majestic knights, illusionist wizards, and beautiful snow queens. It's the ultimate interactive playground where kids can learn the art of sword-fighting school or even craft their own magical potions. Plus, parents can cozy up with a mulled wine as all the action plays out.
Hidden: (9-11 July): This July, Creative Ballarat unveils Hidden, a three-day event that transforms Civic Hall into a living, breathing landscape of air, colour and sensation. Six local artists reimagine the space through large-scale inflatable works that invite you to move beyond observation and into experience, to explore, touch, listen and follow your curiosity wherever it leads.
Ballarat Wildlife Park: Cap off your school holiday bucket list by getting up close with some of Australia's most famous native animals, offering the perfect daytime escape for all members of the family. While there, enjoy lunch in at their cafe or bring along a picnic to have outdoors while surrounded by the Kangaroos. It's a must visit destination for animal lovers young and old.

If you're already thinking ahead to the winter school holidays, let the Ballarat Winter Festival make it easy for you. With unforgettable events located just an hour and a half away from Melbourne, there's no better time to pack up the car and see everything that Ballarat has to offer.

More information: ballaratwinterfestival.com.au

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Ballarat Winter Festival Returns to Warm Up The School Holidays

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