It's cold outside, so that means it's Bathurst Winter Festival time.
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Here's what you need to know to make the most of the festival, which will run from July 6 to 21.
WINTER PLAYGROUND
The Winter Playground in Russell Street will be open throughout the day, featuring the McDonald's Bathurst Ice Rink, Ferris Wheel, two-storey carousel and a beautiful evening light show.
Ice Rink
The McDonald's Bathurst Ice Rink will be open from 9am to 9pm every day of the festival.
Prices are $8 for children (between three and 14 years), $12 for adults (over 15 years) and skating aids are $6 each. You can buy tickets online to avoid disappointment.
If you have a little one you might be worried about, you can take your child along to the kid-friendly sessions: Monday, July 8 at 10am, Friday, July 12 at 9am and Monday, July 15 at 10am.
For adults who are worried about little hands and feet, get to the big kids' sessions (ie, adults only) on Thursday, July 11 at 8pm and Thursday July 18 at 8pm.
If you want to have a great skate without worrying the person in front of you is going to fall over, get to the experienced skaters' times. You'll be able to enhance your skills and can enjoy a little space. Get to the rink on Monday, July 8 at 9am and Monday, July 15 at 9am.
Everyone is invited to be involved. The LiveBetter All Abilities Day will be held on Friday, July 12. Have a skate at 10am, 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm for just $8 (carers do not require a ticket). Contact council on 6833 6111 for more information.
Ferris Wheel and Two-Storey Carousel
All tickets are $5 per person. See Bathurst from a height.
LIGHTS
The city of Bathurst will light up over the course of the winter festival. There will be static and interactive illuminations across the historic buildings in the CBD. Lights will turn on at sundown and will be on until 10pm.
You can see the lights at:
- Bathurst Court House
- Court House Lane
- The Fernery
- Machattie Park
- Cathedral of St Michael and St John
- Bathurst Regional Art Gallery
WHAT OTHER EVENTS ARE ON?
Ignite the Night - Saturday, July 6
Enjoy regionally sourced food and beverages and enjoy the region's best culinary talents. There's a carnival atmosphere with roving performances, an interactive magician, live music and local youth performers.
Entry to the event is free.
Kids' Day - Wednesday, July 10
What a better way to spend the winter holidays than at the winter festival? The day starts with a kids' skating session at 10am and stick around for an Upcycled Craft Workshop at the Ice Rink marquee. All Saints' Cathedral will be hosing a barbecue lunch on the Cathedral Lawn or check out the Bell Tower Munchies. Alternatively, enjoy something from the pop-up food stalls.
There's carousel karaoke from 12 to 2pm and get arty out the front of the court house with Pavement Chalk Art. There's Children's Free Play at Cheekii Kidz or see Sean Murphy at the Bathurst Library.
For those who want to go further, check out the Mayfield Garden Winter Festival, ride a pony at Barcoos or build a snowman at the Bathurst Snow Park.
If you're old enough to stay out after dark, try the Rain Run in Court House Lane, then paint with special UV face paint. Go to the silent disco in front of the Courthouse.
Pop Up Paradise - Friday, July 12 and Friday, July 19
If wine and eating are your jam, get down to the winter festival on a Friday from 4pm. Experience food trucks, light shows and mulled wine while the sun goes down. Enjoy yourself at the silent disco and play among the winter playground.
Brew & Bite - Saturday, July 13
Another delicious food event with delicacies from pasta, Vietnamese cuisine, Indian cuisine, Indian barbecue and more. There will be local whiskey, gin and mulled wine. You can also enjoy the Enchanted Forest.
Entry to the event is free.
Bowman Dental Groove and Grill - Sunday, July 14
Live music and eating, what more do you need on a Sunday? The Groove and Grill is for local artists to have an opportunity to perform live. Food stalls will be cooking lunch and market stalls will be selling trinkets, homewares and much more.
The event is from 11am to 4pm.
Sunday Fun Day - Every Sunday of the festival
From 11am to 9pm, enjoy pop-up food trucks from pasta, dumplings, Mexican or a sweet treat.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?
- A Mid-Winter Festival: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Sunday July 7 at 3pm. Pianist Luke Moxey is joined by cellist Lianah Jaensch.. Cost $30 for an adult, $25 for a concession, under 18 is free. Get tickets from the BMEC.
- Arabesk Gypsy Jazz: on Friday July 12 at 6pm at The Victoria Bathurst. For just $20 enjoy an evening of jazz-driven global grooves. Book through The Victoria.
- Barcoo's Farm Rides: Every day of the Winter Festival except Mondays from 1pm to 3pm. Get the experience at Barcoos Farmstay, 1080 Trunkey Road Perthville. Enjoy the horseride, warm up with hot chocolate and marshmallows on the campfire. $10 for a 10 minute ride.
- Bathurst Snow Park: Entire festival. Taboggans, snow people and playing in the snow park at 26 Corporation Avenue in Bathurst. It's $10 a session.
- Bathurst Wholefood Co-operative: Friday, July 19 at 5pm. Enjoy the Christmas in July Canapes between 5pm and 8pm.
- BBQ on the Cathedral Lawn: Each Wednesday during the Festival from 11.30am to 1pm.
- Bell Tower Munchies: Monday to Friday during the Festival at All Saints Cathedral from 10.30 to 12.30pm. Enjoy hot chocolate, tea, coffee with warm scones, jam and cream.
- Cathedral Tour: Get to know the cathedral in Bathurst on Sunday, July 7 between 2.30pm and 4pm. FREE.
- Celebrate 130 years at 99 Keppel: on July 8,9,10,11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 between 5pm and 9pm. Take a walk through memory lane. See the tea members dressed up in full Victorian Era costuming with mulled wine.
- Childrens Free Play: between July 6 and 21 from 10am to 5pm. On Saturday between 10am and 1pm at Cheekii Kidz, 125 George Street, Bathurst.
- Country Coffee: at 161 George Street, Bathurst open until 8.30pm every night. Extended trading hours for the Bathurst Festival featuring after-dark boxed food and dessert bar. Cost between $5 and $20.
- Dinosaurs in the Dark: Tuesdays and Thursdays during the Festival, 7pm at The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Experience the Museum at night using only torchlight. Cost: $15 for adults, $7 for children, $10 for concessions and $35 for families. Bookings essentials 6331 5511.
- Evening at the Hub Espresso Bar and Eatery: Saturday 6, 13 and 20 from 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Live music and meal with a menu set. Call for bookings.
- Felt Embellishment: Saturday, July 6 from 10am to mid afternoon at 7 Lee Street, Kelso. You will learn how to embellish your felted articles. Cost is $10 and includes morning tea.
- Great Aunt and Smith and Jones at the Victoria: Sunday, July 21 from 6pm to 10pm. A beautiful evening of great music. Cost is $20 through the Victoria.
- Harry Potter Orchestra and the KeyStone Feast: Saturday July 20, doors open at 6pm for 7pm start. A wizarding world event with musical and culinary delight not to be missed. Keyston 1889 (formerly Carrington House, Bathurst) will be transformed into the Great Hall of Hogwards. Dine on delicious share platters, a specially prepared potion cocktail, listen to the Mitchell Orchestra, dress in your robes and bring your wand. Cost $49 to $140. Tickets here.
- Jacquec Broucher Recital: on Sunday July 7 at 2.30pm at All Saints Cathedral.
- KeyStone 1889 High Tea and Music: Saturday July 6 and Sunday July 7 Doors open at 1.30pm for a 2pm start. Live performances from the Adelaide Fringe Festival's Ban SaM with full high tea.
- Kick Off and Kick On at Keppel: July 13 and July 20, a community, health and lifestyle movement, CHALM, beautiful dispolays of wholesoom food, drink, clothing and home decor.
- Live Band Karaoke: Friday, July 19 between 6pm and 10pm at the Victoria at 3 Keppel Street, Bathurst. Cost $5
- Mayfield Garden Winter Festival: between July 6 and 21 from 9am at Mayfield Garden in Oberon. One of the world's largest Cool Ckimate and navigate one of Australia's largest box hedge mazes. Cost: Adult $35, Conc $30, Child $15. Book online at Mayfield Gardens.
- Movie Day at Gunthers Lane: Friday, July 19 doors open at 2pm for 2.15 start at Gunthers Lane. Watch Ice Age on the big screen. Event is free but seats are limited.
- Poets in the Park: Sunday, July 7 at 2pm at the Bathurst Winter Festival Precinct. An afternoon of sharing local talent. Cost is Free.
- Psychedelic Noir: An exhibition by Meg Allan and Mike Foxall. From July 5 to 20 showcasing quirky and sympatico sensibilities common to "lowbrow" art movement rarely presented in the regional arts scene. Cost: Free.
- Reptile Show Armada Bathurst: July 17, 28, 19 from 10am to 1pm at Armada Bathurst. Have a "hands on" experience seeing snakes and lizards up close. Cost: Free.
- Rydges Winter Special Menu: Saturday July 6 to Sunday July 21 from Midday to 9pm. Chicane Bar and Grill at Rydges Bathurst. Wind down after a long day with mlled wine, warm chocolate or lava pudding.
- Snowflake Biscuit and Decorating Workshop: Every Saturday during the festival from 3.30pm to 5pm at Bake, Table and Tea at George Street Bathurst. Bookings in store and essential. Cost $35.
- The Winter Gala: Friday, July 12, at the Bathurst City Community Club. Dance the night away with beautiful food. Promised an unforgettable evening. Cost $50. Tickets at the BCCC reception or here.
- Upcycled Craft Workshop: Wednesday July 10 and Wednesday July 17 between 11am and 1pm. Workshops are free and no bookings required. Next door to ice skating rink.
- VERTO Inspire Series- Peter Davidson: at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on Tuesday July 16 at 8am. A Free inspiration talk session with Peter Davidson. Tickets at 1300 4 Verto.
- Winter School Holiday Program: July 8 to 18 at Bathurst Library. See the program here.
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Grace Ryan
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
