For the last three festivals, Bathurst Regional Council has held Ignite the Night and Brew and Bite on the first two Saturdays of the festival. 

These events officially got under way in the dark, but this time around they will kick off at midday and run through to 9pm. 

It is hoped the extended hours will make the two events more family-friendly, and perhaps reduce some of the congestion that was seen around the food stalls last year. 

Deputy mayor Bobby Bourke said the festival is still quite new on the calendar and council’s events team is always trying to find ways to make it better.

“We’re only into our fourth year and we’re learning how to improve each time,” he said. 

As with previous years, the winter playground will feature a large ice rink and a ferris wheel. 

Colourful illuminations will continue to be projected onto the city’s buildings from sundown to 10pm daily. 

Council has invited businesses, community groups, surrounding suburbs and villages to get involved with their own events and activities, or through partnerships and by volunteering.

The festival will be held from July 7 to 22.