Winter festivals and nocturnal attractions in Melbourne and Victoria in 2025

$28-$44. June 20 - August 10, 2025.

Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens will set the night ablaze again in 2025 with the return of Lightscape. This award-winning nocturnal winter festival will this year feature 20 new light installations to discover hidden amongst the garden's winding trails. 

Take your time as you wander beneath glowing canopies and past fields of lights, enjoying the accompanying soundscapes and immersive experiences. The event is suitable for all ages and hot food and drink is available on site. 

Free entry. June 4 - August 27, 2025.

The much-loved night trade at Queen Victoria Market has become a weekly Wednesday night tradition for many Melburnians, featuring a wonderland of street food, shopping, live music, entertainment and hot drinks – did someone say mulled wine? 

The open-air sheds naturally get chilly, so rug up – and keep an eye out for a spot near the fire pits. Visitors can also pre-book a table if you want to guarantee a spot to sit. 

Various prices. 7 - 24 August, 2025. 

As one of our premier film festivals during the year, MIFF's 72nd edition features local and international films across cinemas and entertainment venues in Melbourne. Highlights this year include Parasite composer Jung Jae-il conducting and performing the score alongside the film (and Orchestra Victoria); Palm d'Or winner and revenge thriller It Was Just An Accident; and Careless, an Australian documentary and elderly Australians growing old how they want to. 

The festival also features in-person discussions with filmmakers, a childrens' program, local competitions and premieres of award contenders. The full program launches on July 10, 2025. 

Discover how RACV Members save on movie tickets.

Free entry. 4-6 July, 2025.

Winter heats up in Docklands with the return of Firelight Festival. For several years this event has been a favourite nighttime activity for Melburnians with fire performers, flame jets, light installations and fire pits. Plus roving performances and live music.

There are plenty of food and drink vendor too, including the chance to try mulled ginger beer from MoonDog or cannoli s'mores from Saluministi. 

Various prices. Until August 31, 2025.

This spooktacular musical is funnier, more irreverent, more reckless and more repellent than ever in this original musical based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film. Eddie Perfect, who wrote the musical's music and lyrics, will star in the titular role.

BEETLEJUICE tells the story of a deceased couple, the Maitlands, who try to haunt the new inhabitants of their former home. One of the new inhabitants is a young girl, Lydia, who is dealing with her mother's death and her neglectful father. (Un)luckily for Lydia and the Maitlands, the ghost-with-the-most, mischievous Beetlejuice is here to 'help'.

RACV Members can save on tickets to BEETLEJUICE.

$21.50-$69.50. 4 - 27 July, 2025.

Sovereign Hill's Winter Wonderlights festival turns the Gold Rush town into a nocturnal wonderland. From 5.45pm each evening the streets and buildings of Sovereign Hill are doused with magical light projections, music and a smattering of faux snow for good measure. 

There are also arts and crafts activities for kids, pantomimes in Victoria Theatre and 18km-worth of fairly lights to explore. Wintry food and drink is available throughout, or you can opt for a festive Winter Wonderlights dinner of ham, turkey and roast vegetables - dessert is included too! Make sure to stop by St Nicholas' Grotto before you leave. 

RACV Members save on tickets to Sovereign Hill.

$32.50-$42. 28 June - 9 August, 2025. 

Don't miss the chance to experience an enchanting snowscape at Adventure Park. Winter Glow brings art installations, light shows, fire twirling and ice sculpting to the Geelong amusement park, with guests also able to access many of the regular attractions such as the Ferris wheel, carousel, teacups and mini golf.

Two snow play areas (one for all-ages and one for kids aged under five) are the highlight of the festival, with approximately 100 dump trucks worth of real snow created for the event. Kids will love the face painting and cookie decorating activities, and even have the chance to meet an ice princess in her special wintry castle. 

Book a stay at the nearby RACV Torquay Resort for an unforgettable winter weekend. 

Various prices. 5- 27 July, 2025.

Ballarat really turns on the charm in winter, making it one of Victoria's favourite mid-year escapes. During the Ballarat Winter Festival you can enjoy a pop-up ice skating rink (open until 10pm every day), vaudeville performances at the Ukiyo Spiegeltent and various other workshops, talks and performances throughout the region. 

One highlight is Ballarat's Hot Choc Showdown, a celebration of the sweet winter drink that has enlisted 25 local venues to create their best, most creative hot chocolate for you to try - you can even vote for your favourite. Don't miss Kryal Castle's Knights of Fire series either, with the mystical castle hosting battles between knights wielding burning swords. 

To make the most of the festival, book a stay at RACV Goldfields. 

Various prices. June 20 - July 20, 2025.

A month-long program of pop-up events, light, music, art, culture and winter feasts showing off this scenic region, there's plenty to see and do at the East Gippsland Winter Festival. 

Including over 100 events such as tours, workshops, tastings, art installations and classes, markets, and activities, from nighttime sauna sessions in Lakes Entrance to sunset cruises in Paynesville. There are plenty of daytime activities as well.

Various prices. From June 1, 2025.

Relax and unwind at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa this winter. From June 1, 2025, the luxurious thermal springs and spa centre is offering all guests arriving after 6pm each evening a complimentary glass of mulled wine. Enjoy it by the firepit before enjoying one of Alba's signature bathing experiences.

Make a stay out of it with a night at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort.

Free. 25 July, 2025.

Southeast Victoria will be offering up snow play for all ages during this one-day extravaganza. 

Featuring live entertainment, marshmallow toasting, meet-and-greets with huskies, snow play and food and drink on site, Snowfest in Warragul will conclude with a fabulous fireworks display above the winter's night sky.