It’s easy to retreat indoors and hibernate once winter properly sets in but if you’re unfazed by the frosty temps, there are plenty of reasons to bundle up and head outside including a stack of magical winter festivals across the state. One to add to your list is the Bathurst Winter Festival which is set to make its return this July with 16 days of cool offerings on the cards. Set to take place in the thick of winter, the festival will include a bunch of things worth driving out for: delicious food and drink, an illuminated ice skating rink, immersive light installations and thrilling entertainment.
Bathurst Winter Festival
The sprawling fest will be back from July 6 to July 21 with a winter playground that will include a giant Ferris wheel, a two-storey carousel, tasty food and the popular McDonald’s Bathurst Ice Rink. Other highlights include an Illumination Light Walk that meanders through the CBD with the city’s heritage buildings lighting up with colour and interactive displays and an adorable pet parade.
Beyond the line-up of old and new activities, special events have been planned on specific days such as a two-day event called Brew and Bite on July 12 and 13 where festivalgoers can enjoy live music, mulled wine, fire dancers, twilight markets and more and a Sunday afternoon high tea at Abercrombie House on July 7. Musical acts, workshops, pop-ups, spooky after-hours tours and other bite-sized events will add to the festive atmosphere promising a fun, if chilly, event for the entire family.
Entry to the festival is free, and the program features a mix of free and ticketed events. Guests will need to book tickets for the ice skating rink. Bathurst is a 3-hour drive from Sydney and you can also get a direct train from Central to Bathurst via Parramatta. Find the full program and snag your tickets here.