The central business district will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the 16-day festival which kicks off on July 1.

New illumination locations will feature in the festival, along with a larger ice rink, a two-storey carousel and the return of the hugely-popular ferris wheel.

Markets and avenues of food will keep festivalgoers full with a range of local produce, wine and craft beers on offer.

A variety of entertainment will be on offer from a range of local artists who will showcase their music, along with performances and plenty of activities for children.

Two street parties will feature during the 16-day Bathurst Winter Festival program, the first is Ignite the Night which will be held on Saturday, July 1, the first day of the wintry festival.

The second street party, Brew and Bite, is on Saturday, July 8 and it will feature food from around the world, burgers, wings, sweet treats and mulled wine, along with a host of local produce, wine and craft beers.

Last year, the two street festivals attracted huge crowds with an estimated 22,000 people across the two Saturday night street parties.

The McDonalds Bathurst Ice Rink will be open each day of the festival, as will the ferris wheel and carousel.

The ice-skating rink was a huge drawcard with crowds during the first two years of the festival, with 18,154 skating tickets sold in 2016. A further 11,000 tickets were purchased last year for the 22-metre high (75 foot) ferris wheel.

This year, the ice rink will measure 18 metres by 30 metres and it will have a capacity of 150 skaters.

Skating tickets are $5 for children, $10 adult (14 and over), while a ticket to ride the ferris wheel is $5.

A cafe will also be in operation at the ice rink.

Ice skating tickets are available for sale from May 22.

Illuminate Bathurst will again see key buildings in Bathurst’s CBD lit up every night from sundown.

Key illumination sites will include Bathurst Court House, Court House Lane, The Fernery at Machattie Park, Gunthers Lane, the silos and the cathedral.

There will also be a number of lighting installations and interactive displays across the CBD.

Last year, the illuminations’ theme was fire and ice and it focused on Bathurst’s harsh weather which ranges from severe frosts to severe fires. The theme for this year’s light show has not yet been announced.

Roving performers will also take to the streets during the 16-day festival.

This year’s festival is one day longer than the 2016 program, and it will be held during the NSW school holidays.

Visit Bathurst Winter Festival online to find out more or to purchase ice skating tickets from May 22.