Visitors will once again be swept up in the excitement of a special yuletide Christmas event as Sovereign Hill is illuminated like never before.  Witness Sovereign Hill’s Victorian-style buildings come alive through the magic of large-scale light projections in the astounding ‘Winter Wonderlights’ show, which promise to make this Christmas in July celebration the most spectacular ever staged by the outdoor museum.

Now running for an entire month from Saturday 25th June – Sunday 24th July, Sovereign Hill’s ‘Winter Wonderlights’ Christmas in July program promises more dazzling light projections and more Victorian-era, traditional Christmas magic – and with more buildings lit up with yuletide animations than in previous years, this event is the largest light projection spectacle ever staged in the one site anywhere in Australia.

During the day, Sovereign Hill, which is built to re-enact an old gold mining town, will ring to the tune of traditional carols and be treated to the smell of Christmas cookies and spices. Visitors will delight in the artfully hung Victorian decorations adorning Main Street, the decorated shop windows, and the traditional Christmas theatre performances.  ‘Hands-on' activities for children, a full theatre program, faux snow falls and delicious treats will bring Christmas cheer to all, while old favourites like panning for gold remain an attraction for all.

With the genius of Electric Canvas, the team behind some of the stunning projections at White Night Melbourne, Sovereign Hill will come alive at night as its building facades along Main Street are bought to life through the magic of light, sound and faux snow falls.

By night, as the sun sets and the snowflakes fall, Main Street will once again sparkle with a truly amazing light projection show with 17 of Sovereign Hill’s Victorian-style buildings, including the New York Bakery, United States Hotel, and Apothecaries’ Hall in Main Street lit up with large-scale image projections and animations.

This show, set to Christmas-themed music, will be bigger and brighter than ever before with more buildings lit up in impressive style, evoking the spirit and enchantment of Christmas. The cottages and their gardens overlooking Main Street will also be filled with fairy lights, so that no matter what direction you look, the old-world charm of the 1850s will bask Sovereign Hill’s township in a golden, yuletide glow.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy a full day of Christmas excitement with activities for everyone, and as the sun goes down, Sovereign Hill will light up spectacularly each evening after 5.45pm. 

Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights event is also set to coincide with Ballarat’s Winterlude Festival, which will transform the city of Ballarat into a winter playground for locals and visitors for the four weeks.

Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum where the glorious gold rush days can be experienced first-hand. Be transported back to the gold fever of the 19th century and experience the 1850s in full swing with costumed goldfields re-enacting the golden era in a rebuilt town. 

Sovereign Hill was recently Australia's Best 'Major Tourist Attraction' at the Qantas Australia's Australian Tourism Awards. This win came on the back of Sovereign Hill winning Victoria's Major Tourist Attraction at the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards last year for the second year running, as well as the RACV People’s Choice award for Favourite Regional Attraction Experience.

When:            

Saturday 25th June – Sunday 24th July, 2016

Open daily from 10am. The ‘Winter Wonderlights’ show will kick off each evening after 5.45pm.

Where:          

Sovereign Hill, 3 Bradshaw Street, Ballarat, 3350


Cost:               

General admission: Adults $54.00,
Children (5-15) $24.50


Concession and family passes available

For more information, visit www.visitmelbourne.com or www.sovereignhill.com.au