Winter Light Festivals in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
The dark winter nights across Melbourne and regional Victoria are being beautifully illuminated by a growing number of winter light festivals. Pack some warm clothes and head off to these gorgeous winter light festivals and events for an eye catching experience. Click on the link for each event for more information and to book tickets. Events and information for 2024 are being added as details are finalised.
1. LIT - Lighting Up Wyndham Park (Werribee)
Explore wonderous landscapes transformed by brilliant lighting experiences; from a rainbow canopy of lasers and a magical glowing nature trail to interactive projections and the glow of pulsing light lawns.
When: Fri Mar 8-Sun Mar 10, Wed Mar 13-Sun Mar 17, Wed Mar 20-Sun Mar 24, 2024. 8pm - 11pm. Sensory Friendly Night, Tues 12 March (FINISHED)
Cost: Free, no bookings required
Location: Wyndham Park, Entry via Wedge Street Piazza, Werribee
2. White Night (Ballarat)
The locations for White Night vary each year. In 2024 White Night will transform the streets and venues of Ballarat on the evening of the 1 June 2024 through illuminations, projections, music, and interactive works.
When: Evening of Saturday June 1, 2024 (6pm-midnight) (FINISHED)
Cost: Free
Location: Ballarat
3. Lightscape (Melbourne)
Lightscape is an extraordinary, after-dark experience at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. The immersive hit returns to transform the Botanic Gardens after dark with a reimagined 2.2km trail and brand new installations. Surround yourself with the interactive Submergence as well as the beloved Winter Cathedral and Laser Garden at Fern Gully. Rug up and enjoy delicious food at the welcome zone along with tasty treats at The Terrace Food Hall.
When: June 14 - Aug 4, 2024
Cost: Off-peak tickets are available Tuesday - Thursday and standard price tickets are available Friday - Sunday. Standard prices are: Adult: $40, child (4-12 years): $32, Family of 4 (min. 2 children ages 4-12 years): $144. Off-peak prices are: Adult: $36, child (4-12 years): $28, Family of 4 (min. 2 children ages 4-12 years): $128. Book here:
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
4. Winter Glow (Geelong)
Geelong Adventure Park is transformed into a winter wonderland of snow, lights, fire and ice. Build a snowman in the snow play zone, roast marshmallows over a roaring open fire, get your face painted, ride the Balloons and Tea Cups rides, play mini-golf, stand in the snow flurries, see live ice-sculpting and fire-twirling displays and marvel at the 2.7 million dazzling lights and hundreds of glittering installations all over the park.
When: Approximately June 16 - July 16, 2024 (FINISHED)
Cost: Approximately Over 120cm: $39.50, 90-120cm: $32.50, under 90cm: free
Location: Adventure Park Geelong, 1251 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington
5. Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill (Ballarat)
Visit the normal attractions of Sovereign Hill during the day and when the sun goes down between 5-7pm, enjoy the magic as the buildings come alive under a kaleidoscope of colour and music as vibrant projections light up the streetscape. There are dustings of snow, decorations, tasty food, performances and hands-on activities to enhance the experience.
Also included in the entrance admission is 'Diggings After Dark', 'Lake of Light', 'St Nicholas' Grotto', art & craft sessions, Blackbeard the Pirate and a brass band.
While you are in Ballarat check out other wintry attractions at the Ballarat Winter Festival.
When: June 28 - July 21, 2024, 5-7pm (FINISHED)
Cost: Wonderlights is included in the standard day ticket. Tickets are $68 for adults, $55.50 for concession, $36 for kids (5-15), free for kids under 5 years and $177 for a family of 4. You can also buy tickets just for the Winter Wonderlights. These prices are $39 for adults, $31 for concession, $19 for kids (5-15), free for kids under 5 years and $99 for a family of 4. See website for ticketing options.
Location: Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Golden Point (Ballarat)
6. Firelight Festival (Docklands, Melbourne)
Experience an eclectic mix of free entertainment at the Docklands. Enjoy anything from dazzling fire performers, captivating flamenco, and live music to storytelling and roving mythical characters. Don't miss the appearance of The Golden Guardian - a giant glowing lion.
The event features more than 40 fire pits and drums, 35 flame jets, fire sculptures and arches, plus an hourly Liquid, Laser, and Light Show, with a larger-than-life fiery phoenix as the centrepiece.
When: Friday June 28 - Sunday June 30, 2024 (FINISHED)
Cost: Free
Location: 1-91 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
7. Moama Lights (Moama)
The iconic red gum bushland and legendary Murray river will be illuminated using sound and lighting for an original and immersive experience like no other. Taking place in Moama's culturally-significant Horseshoe Lagoon, follow the trail of up-lit river red gums and theatrical fog rising from below the boardwalks as you are mesmerised by the lightshow of gum leaves slowly drifting across the lagoon. Venture into thick bushland where you will be engulfed by a canopy of light, captivated by the vast night sky of hundreds of flickering stars lights, and wander through a field of thousands of illuminated native flowers covering the bush floor. As the treeline begins to part, the majestic Murray River will reveal itself, ablaze with colour in a triumphant finale.
When: 5 Jul - 28 Jul 2024 (runs over four weekends, from Thursday to Sunday, with tickets sold for specific session times) (FINISHED)
Cost: Adult: $22, children (3-16 years): $11, Family: $55 (2A & 2C). Children under 3 years old are free, however do need to be registered to attend (when you buy an adult ticket). Purchase tickets here:
Location: Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama
8. East Gippsland Winter Festival (Multiple locations in East Gippsland)
Embrace the chill of the season with an abundant celebration of art, wine, craft beer, local produce and live music. Be welcomed by friendly locals and creative communities for a series of collaborative events across a month to discover the treasures of East Gippsland. The festival salutes winter's long nights with a series of community-led events, lavish winter feasts, luminous art installations, performances, workshops, wellness experiences and more.
When: June 21 - July 21, 2024 (FINISHED)
Cost: Dependent on event
Location: Multiple locations across East Gippsland
9. Electric Wonderland (Bendigo)
Feature light installations that celebrate the Lunar Year of the Dragon, gastronomy, interactive pathways, laser lights, thousands and thousands of fairy lights and a 40m replica of the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Be mesmerised by large-scale illuminated sculptures, a 360-degree laser alley light show, musical stepping stones and a garden of giant blooming flowers, among many other jaw-dropping installations. Rug up and enjoy starry winter evenings exploring the visually spectacular world of sound, light and colour.
When: Every night from June 28 to July 14, 2024 (Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 6pm to 10pm)
Cost: Off-peak on-line (Sunday - Thursday): 2 and under- Free, 3 to 16 years- $11, 16+ years- $20, family- $50, Peak (Friday - Saturday): 2 and under- Free, 3 to 16 years- $13, 16+ years- $22, family- $60. More expensive at the gate.
Location: Rosalind Park, Bendigo
10. Enlighten (Bendigo)
An immersive light experience that transforms the Great Stupa Peace Park into a unique lightscape. See lights that shimmer on the Great Stupa, spectacular light displays throughout the garden, roaming performers, live music and delicious food.
When: Held on significant cultural dates throughout the year. Next date is His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Birthday on Saturday 6 July, 2024. 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: $18 adult (16+), $8 child (3-16), $45 family (2 adults + 2 children), $0 (children under 3). Buy tickets
Location: The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat (Bendigo)
11. Mansfield Lantern Festival (Mansfield)
The Mansfield Lantern Festival celebrates the winter solstice - the longest night of the year. It is a family friendly outing for all ages and brings fire, light, food and more and includes the incredibly popular lantern parade which is open to everyone carrying a lantern (battery operated lights only, no open flames).
When: Sat June 22, 2024. 4-9pm (FINISHED)
Cost: Free
Location: Erril Street, Mansfield
12. Glow Winter Arts Festival (Malvern East)
Featuring stunning light displays, immersive art installations and interactive activities with wide appeal to all ages.
When: 18 to 21 July 2024 (FINISHED)
Cost: Free activities
Location: Central Park Gardens, Malvern East
13. Belgrave Lantern Festival (Belgrave)
The Parade is a yearly event that celebrates the winter solstice and local community through a display of hundreds of beautiful candle-powered lanterns. Explore a medley of entertainment, music, circus, art and craft stalls, DJ's, workshops, fire pits and more.
When: Sat 22 June, 5-8pm (FINISHED)
Cost: Free
Location: Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
14. River Lights (Swan Hill)
Journey through light and sound, a vibrant immersive adventure of art and technology - magical holograms, dazzling lasers, and lush soundscapes. A showcase of history, art, community icons, and First Nations culture. A sensory experience for the whole family, young and old.
When: Friday June 28 to Sunday July 7, 2024
Cost: Adult: $12.50, Child (4-16 years): $7.50, Child (under 4 years): free, Family: $29
Location: Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill
15. Winterfest (Mirboo North)
Delight in fire & ice, light & art, food & drink as we celebrate all that makes winter wonderful.
When: 3/4th August 2024.
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple locations in Mirboo North
16. Firelight Labyrinth (Docklands)
Firelight Labyrinth is an immersive multimedia experience set beneath Marvel Stadium. This experience is a world premiere using production technology not seen before in Australia.
Moving through three distinct rooms, this labyrinth of light tells a modern version of the mythology of Theseus and the Minotaur. Using cutting-edge technology, dynamic audio, and an astonishing array of over 144,000 lights, Firelight Labyrinth leads visitors on the journey with Theseus, following his descent into the labyrinth and his ensuing battle with the Minotaur.
When: From Friday 28 June to Sunday 14 July 2024, 10am to 10pm daily (FINISHED)
Cost: A ticketed experience through Ticketmaster. Each timed entry session has a limited capacity. General Admission: $37.50, Child (4-13 years): $22, Family of 4: $115 (minimum 2 children), Children 3 years and under: Free. Transaction fee applies.
Location: Marvel Stadium, Docklands
17. ILLUMIN8 (Bendigo)
ILLUMIN8 celebrates peace and harmony inspired by Buddha's life. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha according to the Tibetan festival of Saga Dawa. It is a family friendly event with light installations, cultural performances, food stalls and family entertainment.
Immerse yourself in all the experiences the festival has to offer. Wander the Peace Park and interact with different light sculptures, be amazed by the performers, take a selfie with the Stupa, enjoy delicious vegetarian and vegan food, join in on Buddhist ceremonies and purge your negative emotions in Burning the Bad.
When: 18 May 2024, 5.45pm - 8.00pm (FINISHED)
Cost: Adults (17 and above): $30, child (3-16 years): $15, child (below 3): free, family (2 adults - 3 child): $85, concession: $25. Buy tickets
Location: The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat
18. Walking Thomastown (Thomastown)
Gather at dusk and explore the world around you as you walk from Main Street Recreation Reserve, along Edgars Creek, through Ziebell's Farm and the pioneer precinct at Westgarthtown. The evening will kick off with a magical parade, brought to you by local schools and the Thomastown Neighbourhood House.
When: Saturday, 31 August 2024, 6-9pm
Cost: Free
Location: From Main Street Recreation Reserve to Ziebell's Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden, Thomastown
19. Puffing Billy Train of Lights (Emerald)
Prepare to be spellbound as this mesmerising winter steam train, adorned with thousands of dazzling lights and stunning visual effects, illuminates the trees, tracks, and passing towns once more, captivating passengers with its magical charm.
Along the way, guests will be treated to a truly immersive experience that showcases the natural beauty of the region in a whole new light, from the interplay of light and shadow casting a beautiful glow on the Wright Forest, to the glimpses of native wildlife projections that leap from the carriages and onto timber trestle bridges and the moving landscape.
After a scenic ride, the train arrives at the charming Gembrook Station, where passengers enjoy a 55-minute stopover. Here, they can warm up by the crackling open fire pits and sip on a comforting hot chocolate, listen to the sounds of a live musician, capture a photo with the beautifully lit-up train or the friendly Puffing Billy Railway volunteers who make the experience all the more special.
When: 28th June - 21st July 2024 (FINISHED)
Cost: Book Tickets. Adult (16+ years): $80, child (4-15 years): $42, toddler (1-3 years): $28, infant (under 1 year): free
Location: Lakeside Station, Emerald
20. Gumbuya Dreaming (Tynong North)
A mesmerising digital light experience created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam. Immerse yourself in a world of captivating light installations and entrancing soundscapes in the Dreaming Zones, exploring the beauty of flowers, the dance of fire and water, and the majesty of land and animals. In addition to the breathtaking light experience, you can enjoy the excitement of our thrilling and leisurely rides, and indulge in mouth-watering delights from our selection of food trucks. At the heart of Gumbuya lies its Aboriginal meaning, 'meeting place'.
When: 8-10 June, 15-16 June, 22-23 June, 29-30 June, 1-14 July and 20-21 July 2024. Park will be open 3.30pm-8.00pm (FINISHED)
Cost: General Admission (120cm+): $49, Junior Admission (90cm-120cm) / Senior Admission (60y+): $39, Tot Admission (under 90cm): free, Family Ticket (2xGA & 2xJA): $171
Location: Gumbuya World, 2705 Princes Hwy, Tynong North
21. Magic by Moonlight (Frankston)
When: The exhibition runs from 5th Sep to 6th Oct inclusive.
Thu 5th - Sun 8th September (4 days)
Thu 12th - Sun 15th September (4 days)
Thu 19th - Sun 22nd September (4 days)
Mon 23rd September - Sun 6th Oct ( 14 days) - Victorian school holidays
Open from 5:30pm until last entry at 8:45pm, except Sun 6th Oct which is open from 7:00 pm due to daylight savings. The exhibition closes at 10pm and all patrons must leave the site by 9:45pm.
Cost: Adult $34, Concession/Student $29, Child $22, Family (2 Adults, 2 Kids or 1 Adult, 3 Kids) $95, Kids under 2 are free. Online booking fee of up to $3.30 + Card fee. Buy tickets
Location: George Pentland Botanic Gardens, Frankston
22. Hume Winter Lights Festival (Frankston)
Dance off the winter chill to free performances from while being immersed in art installations and light projections - all in the heart of Broadmeadows.
When: Not running in 2024 but should be back in 2025.
Cost: Free
23. Korumburra Southern Lights Festival (Korumburra)
Be enchanted by the light displays and laser cut light drums bouncing off the historic Coal Creek buildings. Enjoy the warmth from our fire drums and bonfire, tap your feet or get up and dance to our live music and DJ performing on one of our 2 stages, watch in awe as the fire twirlers dazzle you with their performances, fill your bellies with delicious food and drink as you wander through the market stalls, play lawn games, have your face painted and enjoy the free activities. All wrapped up with a spectacular festival fireworks finale.
When: UPDATE - Postponed until 2025.
Location: Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, 12 Silkstone Rd, Korumburra (South Gippsland)
Many of these festivals and events are outdoors, held at night time and in the middle of winter. Make sure you dress for the weather. Warm winter clothing is essential! We recommend beanies, gloves and scarves. If you are not moving around a display, bring a blanket if you want to rug up. Weatherproof cushions and foldable seats are also a good option to bring if you want to sit and stay for a while.
