Autumn and Winter in Melbourne and Victoria might be chilly, but it’s also one of the most magical times of the year. Thanks to the stunning light festivals that illuminate the city centre, the neighbourhoods and regional towns.
From dazzling installations to immersive experiences, winter light festivals bring communities together and offer a unique opportunity to see familiar places in a whole new way.
If you’re looking for a way to brighten up your winter, look no further than these unmissable light festivals in Melbourne and Victoria.
Get ready to be wowed!
Light Festivals Melbourne & Victoria
1. Lightscape, Royal Botanic Gardens
Get ready to step into a dazzling world of light and colour as Lightscape returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in 2024.
Following a sell-out season in 2023, Lightscape is back with an all-new trail, taking you on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Melbourne’s most beautiful gardens.
From colour-changing installations to magnificent illuminated sculptures, surprises await around every corner.
Don’t miss out on this highly recommended experience – book Lightscape tickets now as it’s sure to sell out.
Lightscape, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Friday, 14 June 2024 – Sunday, 4 August 2024
Book tickets at https://ticketekau.pxf.io/DVX1Qn
2. ENLIGHTEN Festival of Light, Bendigo
ENLIGHTEN is an immersive light show experience after dark at the Great Stupa.
The family friendly evening features light installations, cultural performances, food stalls and entertainment. Wander the Peace Park and interact with different light sculptures, be amazed by the roaming performers, take a selfie with the Stupa, and enjoy delicious food.
Enlighten – Easter is happening on Thursday 28 March 2024.
The festival is celebrated at various cultural dates right throughout the year, so be sure to check the website for upcoming events.
Enlighten Festival of Light, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Rd, Myers Flat VIC 3556
Tickets can be purchased here
3. Moama Lights, Moama
Moama Lights is an immersive sound and light trail that showcases stories from across the Murray region through state-of-the-art installations, projections and cutting edge moving-light technology.
Moama’s Horseshoe Lagoon lights up in 2024 with beautiful light displays, a new show, new stories and a new backdrop along the upgraded footbridges at the lagoon.
As you stroll through the ancient river redgums, be sure to take your time and soak in the serene sounds of this enchanting natural wonderland.
Moama Lights, Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama
Thursday – Sunday, Friday 8 July – Sunday 28 July 2024.
Book tickets at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/profile/1756
4. Borealis on the Lake, Daylesford
Prepare to be mesmerised this winter by streaks of beautiful, dancing, waves of light with Borealis – a spectacular and unique light show installation inspired by the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis.
BOREALIS on the Lake was created by Switzerland-based artist, Dan Acher, through his desire to create a sense of belonging and community in a society that was forced to be isolated for years.
Every night offers an enchanting one-of-a-kind display of colours and movement, and includes an auditory experience as the light beams dance to the rhythm of the beautifully composed soundtrack of French composer Guillaume Desbois.
For further details check out our review for Borealis on the Lake.
Borealis on the Lake, Lake Daylesford, Leggatt Street, Daylesford
Dates TBC for 2024
Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Tickets available here
5. LIT, Werribee
Experience a stunning evening spectacle as Wyndham Park transforms into a luminous wonderland for LIT.
Every night Friday 17 March to Sunday 26 March 8-11pm, LIT presents ten evenings of dazzling lights and immersive experiences that’s sure to light up your night.
From the rainbow canopy of lasers to the magical nature trail that glows, pulsing light lawns and interactive projections, LIT is a free, family-friendly event that’s not to be missed!
LIT, Wyndham Park, Entry via Wedge Street Piazza, Werribee
Friday 8 March to Sunday 24 March 2024 (8pm – 11pm each night)
FREE
6. Trail of Lights, Mildura
Get ready to see the Mildura-Wentworth region in a whole new light as the incredibly talented artist Bruce Munro brings his artistry to the region with Trail of Lights.
Composed of two breathtaking light installations, Light/State is designed to showcase the region’s unique environment and culture through a site-specific installation that will leave guests in awe and bring communities together by also encouraging them to connect and engage with the stunning and distinctive environments of the area.
The first exhibit, Trail of Lights at Lake Cullulleraine, is set to open in 2024.
7. East Gippsland Winter Festival, East Gippsland
East Gippsland Winter Festival is a month-long celebration of all things East Gippsland! The festival is a winter celebration of art, food, culture and nature.
After a huge success in the previous two years, the East Gippsland Winter Festival is back with over 100 events extended across the region. Expect a program of lavish winter feasts, luminous art installations, captivating performances, take immersive workshops, and ultimate wellness experiences.
East Gippsland Winter Festival, various locations
Friday 21 June – Sunday 21 July 2024
Check out the full festival program here
8. Glow Winter Arts Festival, Malvern East
Central Park Gardens in Malvern East lights up for the City of Stonnington’s annual Glow Winter Arts Festival.
Be immersed in colour and light with illuminated displays and artwork from known and emerging artists in a lovely garden backdrop.
Glow Winter Arts Festival, Central Park, Malvern East
Dates for 2024 are yet to be announced
FREE
9. Mansfield Lantern Festival, Mansfield
The Mansfield Lantern Festival celebrates the Winter Solstice with fire, light and food.
The popular lantern parade is open for everyone with a lantern, so you can be part of the parade through the town!
Mansfield Lantern Festival, Erril Street and High Street, Mansfield
Saturday 22nd June 2024
FREE
10. Rialto Aglow Winter Lights Festival, 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 from 5pm until late.
The Festival is completely free for the community and runs for 10 nights in July.
Dates are still to be announced for 2024.
Rialto Aglow, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9614 5888, rialto.concierge@rialto.com.au
11. Hume Winter Lights Festival
Don’t miss out on an unforgettable evening filled with art, music, food, and much more at the ultimate after-hours festival in Melbourne’s North!
The Hume Winter Lights Festival, which has won numerous awards, is back in 2024, with an even more amazing lineup of live music, local art, light projections, roving performances, food, workshops, and activities that will keep you entertained all night long.
Though the Hume Winter Lights Festival is a free event, they highly recommend that guests register interest on the Eventbrite page to receive all the latest updates about the festival.
Hume Winter Lights Festival, Broadmeadows
2024 dates TBC
FREE
12. Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights, Emerald
The kids will be spellbound Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights these Winter School Holidays.
Enjoy the magical charm of a winter steam train adorned with thousands of dazzling lights and amazing visual effects, illuminating the trees, tracks and passing towns as it winds its way through the Gembrook countryside.
Afterwards, warm yourself up around the crackling fire pits while you sip on hot chocolate and enjoy the live entertainment.
Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights, Emerald Park Lake, Emerald
2024 dates are TBC
Tickets available here
13. Botanic by Night
Experience the magic of nature illuminated like never before at Wilson Botanic Park’s Botanic by Night laser light show.
As the sun sets, the park transforms into a wonderland of light and sound, with dazzling laser displays weaving their way through the park, enchanting music, and delicious winter snacks that will take the overall experience and atmosphere to the next level.
The sensory experience that is perfect for all ages will be on at Wilson Botanic Park. The hourly show will be from 5 pm until closing at 8:30 pm.
14. Firelight Festival, Docklands
Firelight Festival Docklands is back in 2024! Head down to the waterfront Docklands precinct for three nights of fiery fun and spectacular entertainment celebrating the Winter Solstice. Enjoy mesmerising fire shows, interactive installations, and dazzling fireworks displays with the family at this free event.
You can also enjoy delicious food and drinks from vendors while you soak in the magical atmosphere.
Firelight Festival, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
2024 dates are still to be announced
FREE
15. Winter Glow, Geelong
Winter Glow at Adventure Park is a much-anticipated event in the winter school holidays, presenting a magical wonderland will transport you to a world of snow, rides, and epic light installations.
Build a snowman in the Snow Play Zone, where you’ll find realistic snow made from frozen water, or warm up with delicious flavoured hot chocolates, spiced cider, and mulled wine while roasting marshmallows over the roaring open fire. You can even bring your own marshmallow toasting forks! Check the range of high-quality telescopic marshmallow roasting sticks now available for purchase.
But that’s not all – you’ll also be treated to live ice-sculpting and fire-twirling displays, millions of dazzling lights, and hundreds of glittering installations all over the park.
And with 8 awesome action rides, mini-golf, and plenty of other activities for the kids, there’s something for everyone at Winter Glow Adventure Park.
Winter Glow, Adventure Park Geelong, 1251 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington
Returning June 2024
Book tickets at https://www.adventurepark.com.au/winterglow/
16. Winter Wonderlights, Ballarat
Winter Wonderlights at Sovereigh Hill is one of our favourite winter light festivals and a stunning Christmas in July experience.
The historic gold rush era surroundings of Sovereign Hill are transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland, featuring incredible light displays and stunning projections on the historic buildings. There are also regular snow falls, Christmas trees, performances, special food and craft activities. BYO marshmallows for toasting!
Not to mention Sovereign Hill is a great destination for learning about the history of the gold rush and the goldfields in Victoria.
Winter Wonderlights, Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Ballarat
Friday 28th June – Sunday 21 July 2024
Book tickets at https://winter.sovereignhill.com.au/winter-wonderlights
17. WinterWild Festival, Apollo Bay
Journey to the Great Ocean Road this August for WinterWild Festival, which marks the celebration of the end of winter.
Rug up and gather around the fire to enjoy The Wild Feast – an array of food from around the world. Paella pans will be laden with fresh seafood, or enjoy slow cooked meats, soups, pasta and more.
Mulled wine will feature, while you relax and soak in the music and atmosphere. With many events included over the weekend, check out the full program here.
WinterWild Festival, various locations, Apollo Bay
2024 dates TBC
FREE and ticketed events, refer to website for RSVP details
LIT Wyndham Park Is Lighting Up Werribee
Walk Inside A Spectacular Light Show At The Botanic Gardens
Here are some helpful tips for travelling to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, with kids
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