Autumn and Winter in Melbourne and Victoria might be chilly, but it’s also one of the most magical times of the year, thanks to the stunning light festivals that illuminate the city centre, the neighbourhoods and regional towns.
From dazzling installations to immersive experiences, winter light festivals bring communities together and offer a unique opportunity to see familiar places in a whole new way.
If you’re looking for a way to brighten up your winter, look no further than these unmissable light festivals in Melbourne and Victoria.
Best Light Festivals Melbourne + Victoria
1. Lightscape, Royal Botanic Gardens
Get ready to step into a dazzling world of light and colour as Lightscape returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in 2025.
Following a sell-out season in 2024, Lightscape is back with an all-new trail, taking you on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Melbourne’s most beautiful gardens.
From colour-changing installations to magnificent illuminated sculptures, surprises await around every corner.
Don’t miss out on this highly recommended experience – book Lightscape tickets now as it’s sure to sell out.
Lightscape, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Friday 20 June to Sunday 10 August 2025
BOOK LIGHTSCAPE TICKETS
2. Illumina at Flowerdale Estate, Strath Creek
Immerse yourself in Illumina at Flowerdale Estate, a mesmerizing blend of light, music, and winter magic.
From glowing gardens to cosy firepits, enjoy a captivating journey perfect for families.
Flowerdale Estate, 2285 Broadford – Flowerdale Road, Strath Creek VIC 3658
10 – 13 July 2025, 6pm – 10 pm
3. Electric Wonderland, Bendigo
Electric Wonderland is an immersive after-dark experience transforming Bendigo’s Rosalind Park into a dazzling light and sound playground for all ages.
The immersive outdoor features a magical trail of large-scale light installations, glowing creatures, interactive projections, and illuminated tunnels—all brought to life with a custom-composed soundtrack.
Friday 4 July – Sunday 20 July 2025
Rosalind Park, Bendigo
4. Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights, Emerald
The kids will be spellbound Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights these Winter School Holidays.
Enjoy the magical charm of a winter steam train adorned with thousands of dazzling lights and amazing visual effects, illuminating the trees, tracks and passing towns as it winds its way through the Gembrook countryside.
Afterwards, warm yourself up around the crackling fire pits while you sip on hot chocolate and enjoy the live entertainment.
Friday 4 July – Sunday 20 July 2025
Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights, Emerald Park Lake, Emerald
5. Firelight Festival, Docklands
Firelight Festival Docklands is Melbourne’s annual winter festival celebrating warmth, light and delicious food. Head down to the waterfront Docklands precinct for three nights of fiery fun and spectacular entertainment celebrating winter.
Enjoy mesmerising fire shows, glowing installations, live music and street performers. with the family at this free event. You can also enjoy delicious food and drinks from vendors while you soak in the magical atmosphere.
Friday 4 – Sunday 6 July 2025
Fri/Sat 5–10:30pm, Sun 5–10pm
FREE
Firelight Festival, Docklands (New Quay, Victoria Promenade, Harbour Esplanade, Buluk Park, Docklands Central Park)
6. Winter Glow, Geelong
Winter Glow at Adventure Park is a much-anticipated event in the winter school holidays, presenting a magical wonderland will transport you to a world of snow, rides, and epic light installations.
Build a snowman in the Snow Play Zone, where you’ll find realistic snow made from frozen water, or warm up with delicious flavoured hot chocolates, spiced cider, and mulled wine while roasting marshmallows over the roaring open fire. You can even bring your own marshmallow toasting forks! Check the range of high-quality telescopic marshmallow roasting sticks now available for purchase.
But that’s not all – you’ll also be treated to live ice-sculpting and fire-twirling displays, millions of dazzling lights, and hundreds of glittering installations all over the park.
And with 8 awesome action rides, mini-golf, and plenty of other activities for the kids, there’s something for everyone at Winter Glow Adventure Park.
Winter Glow, Adventure Park Geelong, 1251 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington
Saturday 28 June – Sunday 27 July 2025
7. Winter Wonderlights, Ballarat
Winter Wonderlights at Sovereigh Hill is one of our favourite winter light festivals and a stunning Christmas in July experience.
The historic gold rush era surroundings of Sovereign Hill are transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland, featuring incredible light displays and stunning projections on the historic buildings. There are also regular snow falls, Christmas trees, performances, special food and craft activities. BYO marshmallows for toasting!
Not to mention Sovereign Hill is a great destination for learning about the history of the gold rush and the goldfields in Victoria.
Winter Wonderlights, Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Ballarat
Friday 4 July – Sunday 27 July 2025
8. River Lights Swan Hill
Don’t miss the enchanting River Lights event with vibrant installations, soundscapes, and family-friendly activities at Swan Hill’s Pioneer Settlement.
Dates: 11 – 20 July 2025
River Lights, Pioneer Settlement, 125 Monash Drive, Swan Hill, Victoria, 3585
9. ENLIGHTEN Festival of Light, Bendigo
ENLIGHTEN is an immersive light show experience after dark at the Great Stupa.
The family friendly evening features light installations, cultural performances, food stalls and entertainment. Wander the Peace Park and interact with different light sculptures, be amazed by the roaming performers, take a selfie with the Stupa, and enjoy delicious food.
The festival is celebrated at various cultural dates right throughout the year, so be sure to check the website for upcoming events.
Dates for Enlighten – Saturday 5 July 2025 6pm – 9 pm.
Enlighten Festival of Light, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, 25 Sandhurst Town Rd, Myers Flat VIC 3556
10. Trail of Lights, Mildura
Get ready to see the Mildura-Wentworth region in a whole new light as the incredibly talented artist Bruce Munro brings his artistry to the region with Trail of Lights.
Composed of two breathtaking light installations, Light/State is designed to showcase the region’s unique environment and culture through a site-specific installation that will leave guests in awe and bring communities together by also encouraging them to connect and engage with the stunning and distinctive environments of the area.
11. East Gippsland Winter Festival, East Gippsland
East Gippsland Winter Festival is a month-long celebration of all things East Gippsland! The festival is a winter celebration of art, food, culture and nature.
After a huge success in the previous two years, the East Gippsland Winter Festival is back with over 100 events extended across the region. Expect a program of lavish winter feasts, luminous art installations, captivating performances, take immersive workshops, and ultimate wellness experiences.
Friday 20 June – Sunday 20 July 2025
East Gippsland Winter Festival, various locations
12. Mansfield Lantern Festival, Mansfield
The Mansfield Lantern Festival celebrates the Winter Solstice with fire, light and food.
The popular lantern parade is open for everyone with a lantern, so you can be part of the parade through the town!
Saturday 21 June 2025
FREE
Mansfield Lantern Festival, Erril Street and High Street, Mansfield
13. Winter Light Spectacular, Eltham
Rug up and enjoy a magical winter evening on board Diamond Valley Railway.
You’ll journey through the bushland of Eltham Lower Park, lit by the light shows, passing signals and locomotive headlights. The steam engines’ steam will hang majestically in the winter air and cling to the roofs of the tunnels, a unique and spectacular sight which only occurs in winter.
*As the Winter Light Spectacular is very weather dependent, the date of this event during the winter school holidays may change.
Winter Light Spectacular, 570 Main Rd, Eltham
Winter School Holidays July 2025
14. Djaara Lights, Bendigo
Explore Djaara Lights in Bendigo, highlighting Dja Dja Wurrung heritage through unique light displays and augmented reality experiences of six seasons.
Until 10 August 2026
Djaara Lights, Oscars Walk and Bath Lane Precinct, Oscars Walk, Bendigo, Victoria, 3550
Light Festivals 2025 – Past Events
Glow Winter Arts Festival, Malvern East
Central Park Gardens in Malvern East lights up for the City of Stonnington’s annual Glow Winter Arts Festival.
Be immersed in colour and light with illuminated displays and artwork from known and emerging artists in a lovely garden backdrop.
In 2025 Glow Winter Arts Festival will be taking a break, before returning brighter than ever.
FREE
Glow Winter Arts Festival, Central Park, Malvern East
Banyule Lantern Festival, Malahang Reserve, Heidelberg West
Get ready for a glowing night of colour and culture at the Malahang Night Lantern Festival, lighting up Malahang Reserve on March 21–22, 2025.
This interactive festival transforms the park into a lantern-filled wonderland, featuring over 50 illuminated sculptures of native animals like echidnas, turtles, and butterflies, all created by the renowned The Lanternist. Wander beneath glowing trees, watch fire breathers and roving entertainers, and let the kids enjoy neon mini golf and face painting.
Stay late to witness the mesmerising Neon Ngargee performance, a First Nations celebration of dance and song, where performers painted in neon ochre glow under black lights. Plus, get hands-on at the lantern-making workshops, where families can craft their own unique lanterns to take home.
Entry is free and there will be food trucks onsite.
Running from March 21 to 22, 2025
Wyndham LIT, Wyndham Park Werribee
Experience the magic of Wyndham LIT as it returns to Wyndham Park from March 27 to April 13, 2025.
This award-winning Werribee light festival transforms the riverside park into a dazzling dreamscape, featuring giant iridescent bubbles, glowing animal sculptures, and immersive projections. Highlights include the breathtaking Ephemeral Collection, the towering Tarutharu – The Kaurna Skink, and the interactive Ctrl-Alt-Self, where kids can see themselves projected in light.
Running from March 27 to April 13, 2025
Find out more about Wyndham LIT
Lightfall, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
This April, take your family to Lightfall at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, running from April 6-20, 2025.
Enjoy a captivating 1km illuminated trail showcasing breathtaking sculptures and vibrant colours. With accessible pathways and affordable tickets, this magical outdoor experience promises to be a highlight of the autumn school holidays!
Running from 6 to 20 April 2025
Neon Fields, Frankston
As part of South Side Festival, join the celebration at Neon Fields returning to Beauty Park in 2025!
This enchanting festival invites visitors of all ages to wander through a colourful fantasy land filled with interactive displays. Don’t miss out on the returning favourites and new installations, creating a magical experience for families.
FREE
Thurs 8 – Sun 11 May 2025
Neon Fields, Beauty Park, Bay Trail entrance via Young Street
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