Get your skates on this winter in Ballarat

The countdown is on for the grand return of Ballarat’s beloved Pop-up Ice Rink.

The skates will hit the ice at 9am on Saturday 24 June as the rink opens to the public, as part of the 2023 Ballarat Winter Festival.

It will remain open for three weeks.

This year the ice rink will feature a range of different sessions to suit a wide variety of community members and visitors, with the addition of the Latin Fiesta on Ice in 2023.

The range of specialty skating sessions available include:  

• Child-friendly sessions: recommended for parents and children up to 12 years of age on weekdays only 9am – 10am (excluding Thursdays)
• Sensory sessions: with no music or flashing lights and restricted numbers, available every Thursday 9am - 10am. Parents with children are still welcome.
• Disco sessions: Friday and Saturday night sessions at 9pm.
• Bollywood on Ice sessions: Live DJ ‘Bobby M’ mixing the hottest Bollywood tunes on Tuesday 11 July, 6pm and 7.30pm.
• Latin Fiesta on Ice sessions: Live DJ ‘Vico’ mixing the hottest Latin tunes on Thursday 13 July, 6pm and 7.30pm.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the Pop-up Ice Rink had become synonymous with winter in Ballarat.

“Every year we see this is a hugely popular attraction and one that is highly likely to sell out,” Cr Hudson said.

“The new addition of the Latin Fiesta sessions will add another element to the rink this year – it's great to see such a variety in the different sessions.”

Armstrong Street South from Sturt Street to the rear of the Town Hall will remain closed until 9pm on Saturday 22 July.

Tickets to ice-skate sell quickly so be sure to book your tickets online early at www.ballaratwinterfestival.com.au

The Pop-up Ice Rink is part of an action-packed Ballarat Winter Festival that also includes Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, Knights of Fire at Kryal Castle, the Ballarat Wildlife Park, the Design Exchange at the Ballarat Mining Exchange and live music festival Be_Hear/Now 2023.  

View the full Ballarat Winter Festival program at ballaratwinterfestival.com.au.