With a new home, a packed program and strong community support behind it, the Bathurst Showgrounds Winter Festival is set to welcome visitors from Saturday, 4 July to Sunday, 19 July, delivering two weeks of family entertainment, food, live music and one of the region’s favourite winter attractions.
Now based at the Bathurst Showgrounds, the festival will once again feature its signature ice skating rink, along with amusement rides, food trucks, local breweries and distilleries, live entertainment, and activities for all ages.
One of the festival’s biggest drawcards, the ice skating rink will operate throughout the event, with organisers encouraging visitors to pre-book sessions, as many time slots are filling up quickly.
The popular Brew & Bite Weekends also return, bringing together local food vendors, breweries, distilleries and live entertainment in a relaxed festival atmosphere. Opening Weekend will be held on Saturday, 4 July (11 am- 9 pm) and Sunday, 5 July (11 am-4 pm), while the Closing Weekend takes place on Friday, 17 July (4 pm-9 pm) and Saturday, 18 July (11 am-9 pm).
Country music fans can also enjoy the Honky Tonk Brew & Bite Nights on 4 and 11 July, featuring live music, line dancing and free entry.
The festival will again host two of its most popular community events. All Abilities Days, on 8 and 15 July, will provide an inclusive experience with games, food trucks, giveaways and ice skating, while Pets Day returns on 9 July from 1 pm to 5 pm, with prizes awarded across a range of fun categories for Bathurst’s much-loved four-legged companions.
Festival organisers said the response from the community had been overwhelming.
“When we said we were going ahead, so many people jumped on to help. For everyone who has helped, offered support, particularly the Bathurst Showground Land Manager Trust for the venue and Paul Toole, who has helped from behind the scenes, plus everyone who has already bought a ticket, thank you.”
While this year’s festival is being delivered independently, it has been made possible by the support of local businesses, volunteers, sponsors and the wider community, highlighting the strong backing for one of Bathurst’s favourite winter events.
The festival is proudly supported by Bathurst Regional Security, Spirit Ability, Glenray, Clancy Motor Group, Macquarie Medi Spa, Bunnings Bathurst, Blooms The Chemist, One Group Industries, Central West Waste Management, Bathurst Party & Events Hire, Choices Flooring Bathurst, CWNET, The Village Bakehouse, Armada Bathurst, Wellmix Concrete Supplies, Tyrepower Bathurst, Dare Homes & Construction, T&L Photography, Bathurst Plumbing & Gasfitting, McDonald’s Bathurst, Bathurst West & Kelso, WeCare Health Bathurst and the Bathurst Showground Land Manager Trust.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online early, particularly for ice skating sessions, with several dates expected to sell out during the school holiday period.
