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 2025 are being added as details are finalised.
1. Banyule Lantern Festival (Heidelberg West)
Wander between large scale roving puppets and over 50 suspended and ground lanterns - gum nuts, snakes, echidna, wombat, emu, frog, goanna, turtle, platypus, butterflies, turtle, moths and caterpillars to name a few - will be there to experience by legendary artist The Lanternist! Activities include fire breathers, roving entertainers, neon face painting, lantern making workshops and neon mini golf.
Make sure you stick around to see the First Nations neon performers, who will light up the night when it's darker from 9pm. This live performance by the award-winning Neon Ngargee is a celebration of Kulin Nations dance and songs. This beautiful choreographed display of dancers painted in neon colours and ochre illuminated by black lights is directed by Amos Roach. There will also be a selection of food trucks on offer (no ATM on site).
When: Over 2 nights from 5-10pm, Fri Mar 21 - Sat Mar 22, 2025 (FINSIHED)
Cost: Free, no bookings required
Location: Malahang Reserve, Southern Road and Oriel Road, Heidelberg West
2. 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. The vibrant light displays are not only visually stunning but also completely interactive. Kids will be mesmerized by glowing animals, towering wildflowers, and shimmering trees that look like they belong in a fairytale. The giant, iridescent bubbles are a must-see, too - they're almost big enough to walk through!
When: Over 14 nights, from Thu Mar 27 to Sun Apr 13, 2025 from 7pm to 11pm.
Cost: Free, no bookings required
Location: Wyndham Park, Entry via Wedge Street Piazza, Across Werribee Bicentennial Bridge from Comben Dr or via Cottrell St Car Park or Werribee St Nth.
3. Lightfall at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (Cranbourne)
As dusk settles, stroll through an illuminated landscape and see the award-winning botanic gardens come to life under a vast autumn night sky. From large-scale light sculptures to an immersive soundscape, Lightfall promises to be a magical evening for all ages.
Whether you're looking for a family-friendly outing, a romantic date night, or simply an escape into nature's after-dark charm, Lightfall offers something special for everyone.
Enjoy a selection of tasty food and drink options to perfectly complement this enchanting celebration of nature's beauty.
When: Sun 6 Apr - Sun 20 Apr 2025
Cost: Peak (Tue-Sat): Adult $26, Child $18 (4-12 yrs), Family $88 (2 adults + 2 children) Concession $23. Off-Peak (Mon & Sun): Adult $22, Child $15 (4-12 yrs) Family $72 (2 adults + 2 children) Concession $20. Anytime Pass - Peak, $35, Off-peak $32, Mandatory Parking - $10, Booking fees and T&Cs apply. Tickets purchased on the day will incur an additional fee of $3 per person. Tickets can only be purchased online and not at the venue. SMALL IDEAS offers a 15% off your total booking.
Find Tickets:
Location: West Entrance, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. There is no other entrance to the event. The East Entrance near South Gippsland Highway will be closed.
4. Lightscape (Melbourne)
Lightscape is an extraordinary, after-dark experience at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. This winter, Melbourne's award-winning immersive light experience transforms Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne into a mesmerising display of more than 20 brand-new illuminations. Wander through glowing floral canopies, marvel at the stunning 'lawn of light', and lose yourself in a landscape reimagined with artistic lighting and immersive soundscapes.
Stroll beneath the stars, sip on mulled wine or hot chocolate and indulge in delicious treats - all while surrounded by a symphony of light and nature.
When: Fri Jun 20 - Aug 10, 2025
Cost: Peak (Sat): Adult $44, Child (4-12 yrs) $36 , Family (2 adults + 2 children) $152, Concession $40, Flexi Ticket $60, Regular Admission Tickets (Fri/Sun & Weds/Thurs in school holidays): Adult $40, Child (4-12 yrs) $32 , Family (2 adults + 2 children) $136 , Concession $36, Flexi Ticket $55. Off-Peak Admission Tickets (Weds/Thurs & Mon/Tues in school holidays): Adult $36, Child (4-12 yrs) $28 , Family (2 adults + 2 children) $120, Concession $32, Flexi Ticket $50. A Super Flexi Ticket $85. Flexi Ticket can access the trail any time on a chosen date. Super Flexi Ticket permits attendance once on any date at any session time during the season. Get Tickets:
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
5. 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 (8 rides are open), play mini-golf, stand in the snow flurries, see live ice-sculpting and fire-twirling displays and marvel at the 3.3 million dazzling lights and hundreds of glittering installations all over the park.
When: Weekends between Sat Jun 28 - Sat Aug 9, 2025 and every day during school holidays (Jul 5-Jul 20)
Cost: Prices in 2024 were: Over 120cm: $39.50, 90-120cm: $32.50, under 90cm: free. Prices for 2025 TBC. Book Tickets
Location: Adventure Park Geelong, 1251 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington
6. 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: Dates for 2025 TBC (Typically during winter school holidays)
Cost: Wonderlights is included in the standard day ticket. Prices for 2025 TBC. Prices in 2024 were: $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.
Location: Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Golden Point (Ballarat)
7. 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.
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: Date TBC for 2025
Cost: Free
Location: 1-91 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
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 over 100 different events, right across East Gippsland.
Expect beautiful hand-made lanterns, projection art that augments reality, live music in unexpected places, engaging pop-up events, long lunches and winter feasts in spectacular locations, creative hands-on workshops, wellness experiences overlooking lakes, on-foot adventures and much more.
When: Fri Jun 20 - Sun Jul 20, 2025
Cost: Dependent on event
Location: Multiple locations across East Gippsland
9. 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 Easter on Thu 17 Apr, 2025 6pm to 9pm
Cost: $18 adult (16+), $8 child (3-16), $45 family (2 adults + 2 children), $0 (children under 3). Buy tickets. Tickets available on the door unless sold out.
Location: The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat (Bendigo)
10. 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: Sat 10 May 2025, 4-8pm
Cost: Adults (17 and above): $35, child (3-16 years): $20, child (below 3): free, family (2 adults - 3 child): $90, Senior / concession: $30. Early bird (before 1st April) discounts available. Buy tickets
Location: The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat
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 Jun 21, 2025. 4-8:30pm
Cost: Free
Location: Mansfield (starting point for the festival is still TBC)
12. Glow Winter Arts Festival (Malvern East)
Featuring stunning light displays, immersive art installations and interactive activities with wide appeal to all ages.
When: July 2025 (exact date TBC)
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: Saturday, June 21, 2025 5pm - 8pm.
Cost: Free
Location: Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
14. Pioneer Settlement Laser Light Spectaculars (Swan Hill)
'Legends of the Mallee' is an immersive journey through the region's history. This captivating laser light show intertwines the Mallee's past, present, and future, creating an unmissable, enchanting spectacle.
'Heartbeat of the Murray' is a breathtaking 360-degree multimedia extravaganza. Seamlessly integrating water, light, lasers, sound, and captivating effects, this production weaves the tale of the Murray River. Prepare to journey back an astonishing 30 million years, then travel through time to witness the evolution of the modern-day Murray River.
When: Held throughout the year. 'Legends of the Mallee' is on Mon, Wd, Fri and Sat. 'Heartbeat of the Murray' is on Tues, Thu and Sun. Showtime is 8.30pm.
Cost: Adult: $30, Concession: $27, Child: $21, Children under 5 years free, Family (2 adults and 4 children aged 5 to 16): $91.50. Bookings essential.
Location: Pioneer Settlement, 125 Monash Drive, Swan Hill
15. Winterfest (Mirboo North)
Delight in fire & ice, light & art, food & drink as we celebrate all that makes winter wonderful.
When: Yet to be confirmed for 2025.
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple locations in Mirboo North
16. Rialto Aglow Winter Lights Festival (Central Melbourne)
Immerse yourself in a neon wonderland of light, music, sound and colour to spark curiosity and joy. Wander through mesmerizing projections, interactive light installations, enjoy nightly live entertainment and festival themed cocktails, food and bites.
When: Runs for 10 nights from Wed 19 July to Sat 29 July, 2025
Cost: Free community event
Location: 525 Collins Street, Melbourne
17. Walking Thomastown (Thomastown)
As the sun goes down, step into a glowing world of light, music, and fun! Walk from Main Street Recreation Reserve along Edgars Creek, through the historic Ziebell's Farm and Westgarthtown, and discover amazing light displays, live music, and cultural performances along the way. It?s a bright and magical night for everyone to enjoy.
When: Sat 30 Aug, 6pm to 9pm
Cost: Free
Location: From Main Street Recreation Reserve along Edgars Creek, through the historic Ziebell's Farm and Westgarthtown.
18. 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: June 2025 (TBC)
Cost: TBC
Location: Lakeside Station, Emerald
19. 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: Yet to be confirmed for 2025.
Cost: TBC
Location: Rosalind Park, Bendigo
20. Botanic by Night (Berwick)
A laser spectacular light show showcasing Wilson Botanic Park. Immerse yourself as you walk around anniversary lake as it lights up in a colourful display.
When: June 2025, exact dates TBC, 5pm - 8.30pm
Cost: TBC
Location: Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick
21. Neon Fields (Frankston)
Neon Fields returns to glow up Frankston! When the sun goes down it is time to gather family and friends and venture into Neon Fields. Beauty Park will once again be transformed into a colourful fantasy world where you're invited to interact and play among the lights.
Fan favourites will return, and new neon installations will appear giving everyone a reason to enjoy a magical meander at Beauty Park. Rug up, grab a hot choccie and sweet treat from our onsite vendors, strike a pose or simply stroll amongst the neons as you rediscover this iconic park at night. Neon Fields is part of the South Side Festival.
When: Thu 8 May - Sun 11 May, 2025 5pm - 10pm)
Cost: Free Event
Location: Beauty Park, Bay Trail entrance via Young Street, Frankston
22. Trail of Lights (Mildura)
Trail of Lights is a collaborative endeavour between internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro and the scenic landscape of Mildura. It provides a transformative experience that merges art with the natural environment. via an interplay of 12,500 firefly lights, Gone Fishing sculptures and the natural landscape.
When: Opening Fri Apr 4, 2025 for a minimum of two years. Operating days and times will vary depending on season and demand. Activation Space is open all year round from 5:30pm. Last admission to the Island is from 9.15pm to 9:45pm depending on the season.
Cost: General Admission includes access to activation space at Rio Vista Park where visitors can enjoy food, drinks, and amenities, including restrooms and seating. As night falls, admission extends to Lock Island, to experience the Trail of lights. Adult (13+ years): $45, Child (3-12 years): $25, Infant (0-3 years): Free, Concession: $35. Buy Tickets
Location: Lock Island, Mildura
23. Diamond Valley Miniature Railway Winter Light Spectacular (Eltham)
Rug up and enjoy a magical winter evening on board Diamond Valley Railway. You'll journey through the bushland of Eltham Lower Park, lit by the light shows, passing signals and locomotive headlights. Our steam engines' steam will hang majestically in the winter air and cling to the roofs of the tunnels, a unique and spectacular sight which only occurs in winter.
When: TBC, typically during July. As the Winter Light Spectacular is very weather dependent, the date of this event during the winter school holidays may change.
Cost: In 2024, rides were $4 with kids under 2 were free. TBC for 2025. All tickets are sold at the Railway. There are no online bookings.
Location: Eltham Lower Park in Eltham
24. Hume Winter Lights Festival (Broadmeadows)
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: June 2025. Details will be released closer to the event.
Cost: Free
Location: Held in the heart of Broadmeadows.
25. 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: Currently planned for 2025.
Cost: Ticketed event. prices TBC.
Location: Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, 12 Silkstone Rd, Korumburra (South Gippsland)
26. 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: Yet to be confirmed for 2025.
Cost: TBC
Location: Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama
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.
Note: Currently there are no plans for White Night events in 2025.
