Locals and visitors journeying to Ballarat are set to enjoy a serendipitous adventure for this year’s popular White Night event when the regional city is lit up in an all-encompassing radiant display on Saturday 1 June 2024 from 6.00pm – 12 midnight.
White Night will transform Ballarat with dazzling laser beams and breath-taking projections illuminating the historic city, with an awe-inspiring program featuring the light spectacular, music and interactive works in this one-night-only event.
The late-night illumination will transform the streets, laneways and heritage venues of the Ballarat CBD grid, embracing the adventurous, encouraging the curious. The inclusive event is a celebration of immersive art and community participation, with something for everyone.
White Night Ballarat will feature almost 40 projections, over 100 artists and performers many of them from Ballarat and surrounds, a delicious selection of White Night Bites to be discovered across the city, family friendly entertainment and activities and two concert stages to get the music fan’s heart racing!
JAZZPARTY, Tek Tek Ensemble, The ReChords, Troy Firebrace, Parvyn, The Counterfeit, James Ellis and the Jealous Guys and local Ballarat artists Yacht Club DJs, Sami and Lashes will entertain the masses from the two main stages located on Sturt and Mair Streets in an all-night music program.
Featured artists around Ballarat during White Night include Still Here by the late Josh Muir whose work will be projected across Sturt Street, a series of joyful projections by local artist Deborah Klein and the sublime work Slow Curtain by renowned photographer Lisa Walker.
Stretching along Armstrong and Doveton Streets, Ballarat’s culinary delights will be in the spotlight with many award-winning eateries taking part in White Night Bites and providing a snack or two for the late-night adventurer.
Artistic Director and Creative Producer Andrew Walsh AM of renowned major events organisation Accolade.art said Ballarat’s White Night is for the adventure-seeker, attracting visitors and locals alike.
“This is a celebration of the unexpected. Ballarat is set for six hours of illuminated magic, ready to glow bright for this alluring winter experience. We encourage everyone to explore, discover and be dazzled and to take yourself, your friends, your family on a serendipitous adventure,” said Mr Walsh.
Accolade.art’s first venture with White Night began in Melbourne in 2013 – the first Australian city to host the popular Parisian Nuit Blanche festival which started in 2002. Since then, Accolade has produced six White Night events in partnership with Visit Victoria, growing and developing the annual dusk-til-dawn event across the state.
White Night has attracted large crowds to regional events in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Shepparton in previous years, with White Night Ballarat drawing more than 40,000 visitors to the region in 2019.
“With a program featuring more than 100 artists White Night Ballarat will be an incredible evening of culture and community,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos.
“Events like this create an incredible boost for the local economy, with restaurants, businesses, and accommodation buzzing with the energy of White Night as thousands of visitors enjoy the spectacle and explore everything on offer in the region,” said the Minister.
“We are thrilled to welcome White Night back to the City of Ballarat for the first time in four years,” said Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson. “This will be one of the highlights of the year as our city centre comes alive with spectacular projections, music, art and roaming performers and the best part, it is completely free to attend.”
“I’d encourage our community to embrace this wonderful opportunity and invite your family and friends from near and far to Ballarat for a weekend not to be missed.”
White Night Ballarat is free to attend and takes place on Saturday 1 June 2024 from 6.00pm to 12 midnight in Ballarat, Victoria, approximately 90 minutes from Melbourne. For more information and to explore the program, visit: www.whitenight.com.au for details.
Image: Tattoo City – courtesy of Accolade.art