It’s time to dig out your silliest festive sweater and make the short drive to Ballarat, because Sovereign Hill is hosting an illuminated Christmas in July extravaganza this winter. That’s right, the annual Winter Wonderlights program is back for another year and this edition promises to bring a bumper schedule of both daytime and nighttime activities.
From June 24 until July 16 (including the winter school holidays), the much-loved outdoor gold rush museum will once again transform into a whimsical winter wonderland, with activities, performances and displays that should impress kids and grownups alike.
Walking through a 19th-century town is always a fascinating experience, but the addition of Christmas music, faux snowfalls and magical projections on the shopfronts of the main street takes the Sovereign Hill experience to a whole new level.
It’ll be easy to feel the spirit of Christmas as you wander through shop windows specially decorated for the season, with seasonal treats and goodies available for purchase. You can also expect Christmas carols galore. There’ll be traditional pantomimes playing at the onsite Victoria Theatre and St Nicholas himself will make a special guest appearance for youngsters (and the young at heart) to snap a festive photo.
On Friday, July 14 a once-off event will see DJs mixing it up on the decks for Late Night Wonderlights, so you can treat yourself to some sweet tunes on Main Street as projections illuminate the famous streetscape. For those looking for culinary delights, you can also book in for the popular Winter Wonderlights two-course dinner experience which runs every evening.
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.
