The central business district has been packed with revellers since the festival kicked off on July 2, including an estimated 22,000 people across the two Saturday night street parties.

The ice-skating rink has been a huge drawcard with 18,154 skating tickets sold and a further 11,000 tickets purchased for the 22-metre high (75 foot) ferris wheel.

“It’s an event that has captured all of Bathurst, it’s a real community event,” Bathurst Regional Council mayor Gary Rush said.

Cr Rush said considering the festival was scheduled for the city’s coldest month, it has been a huge success.

“It was a risk worth taking and having it in the school holidays was good,” he said.

The festival will wrap up with a free community sausage sizzle at 6pm on Saturday outside the court house.

The community is invited to come along to the barbecue and enjoy a final look at the illuminations and ice-skating or take a ride on the ferris wheel.