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This summer, experience Sovereign Hill in a different light. Spark your creativity and sense of wonder with classic Sovereign Hill experiences, performances, as well as fun games and crafts. We've thrown in a few surprises too - hands-on workshops, exclusive events, special celebrations and school holiday activities.

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Go on a gold rush adventure with these classic Sovereign Hill experiences available all year round. We’ve even thrown in a few school holiday surprises for more summer fun. Download our visitor map to plan your visit.

It’s time to come out and play this summer. Experience the ultimate Sovereign Hill adventure, as well as these special school holiday activities. Join in games and crafts, check out a theatre show, take up music and chill out by our lake for a picnic. Download our visitor map to plan your visit.

Summer is for living in the moment. We’re bringing in summer with a series of hands-on workshops and events to celebrate the warmer weather. Ring in the new year with some of the biggest days on Sovereign Hill's calendar, and exclusive workshops. Download our visitor map to plan your visit.

Welcome to the Year of the Tiger! We’ll be roaring into 2022 with our inaugural Lunar New Year Festival on 5 and 6 February. All weekend, our streets will be buzzing with parades, lion dancing, food and music. We’ll be celebrating Chinese culture and stories from Ballarat’s goldfields and beyond with the help of our friends from the Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat. Download our visitor map to plan your visit.

Picnic Hamper
Not included in day pass
Date: 26 December 2021 - 30 January 2022
Time: 11.30am onwards
Where: Sovereign Hill
Arts and Craft
Included in day pass
Date: 26 December 2021 - 30 January 2022
Time: 11am - 4pm
Where: Carver and Dalton, map 10
AURA
Not included in day pass
Date: 26 December 2021 - 30 January 2022
Time: 9.15pm
Where: Sovereign Hill
Tea Tasting Workshop
Not included in day pass
Date: Saturday 22 January
Time: 2-3.30pm
Where: Sovereign Hill
National Pie Day
Included in day pass
Date: Sunday 23 January
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: Sovereign Hill
Valentine’s Day
Included in day pass
Date: Sunday 13 February
Time: 2.30pm
Where: Brightview Gardens, Sovereign Hill
National Raspberry Drop Day
Not included in day pass
Date: Tuesday 22 February
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: Sovereign Hill and local businesses
Summer Garden
Included in day pass
Date: 26 December 2021 - 30 January 2022
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: Sovereign Hill Lake (across from the Cafe), map no.25
Back to School
Included in day pass
Date: 26 Dec 2021 - 30 Jan 2022
Time: 2pm-3pm
Where: St Peters School, Map no 45
School Yard Games
Included in day pass
Date: 26 December 2021 - 30 January 2022
Time: 2pm-3pm
Where: Red Hill National School, map no. 43
Play On
Included in day pass
Date: 26 Dec 2021 - 30 Jan 2022
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: Throughout Sovereign Hill
Lunar New Year Festival
Included in day pass
Date: 5 and 6 February
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: Across the Outdoor Museum
LNY @ Night
Included in day pass
Date: 5 February
Time: 5pm-9pm
Where: Main Street, Sovereign Hill
Lunar New Year Banquet
Not included in day pass
Date: 5 February
Time: 6pm
Where: New York Bakery, map no. 20
Gold-panning
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: The Diggings, map no. 8
Bowling
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 2pm-5pm
Where: Empire Bowling Saloon, map no. 40
Meet the Butcher
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10am-12pm
Where: Butcher’s Shambles (near the Diggings), map no. 8
Pol the Sly Grog Seller
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10am-12pm
Where: Pol’s tent (near the Diggings), map no. 8
Red Hill Mine tour
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10am-4.30pm
Where: Red Hill Mine, map no. 6
Diggings tour
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10.30am, 11.30am
Where: Government Camp, map no. 3
Musket-firing demonstration
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 11am (Government Camp) 1pm (Post Office)
Where: Government Camp (map no. 3) and Post Office (map no.16)
Gold Pour demonstration
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: Demonstrations occur throughout the day
Where: Gold Smelting Works, map no. 28
1850s portrait
Not included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: Red Hill Photographic Rooms (map no. 12) & John Alloos
Coach rides
Not included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10:30am-4pm
Where: Departs from the Horse Bazaar, map no. 32
Quartz Mine tours
Not included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 10am-4pm
Where: Sovereign Quartz Mine, map no.35
Confectionery demonstration
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: Demonstrations are on throughout the day
Where: Brown's Confectionery Factory, map no. 27
Blacksmithing demonstration
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 11.45am, 1pm and 2pm
Where: Dilge’s Blacksmiths, map no. 9
Entertainment on the Ballarat Goldfields Tour
Included in day pass
Date: 26 December 2021-28 February 2022
Time: 12.30pm
Where: Post Office, map no. 16
Printing demonstration
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 12.30pm and 1.30pm
Where: Ballarat Times Office, map no. 13
Candle-making demonstration and dipping
Not included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: Demonstrations occur throughout the day
Where: Hewitt's Yarrowee Soap & Candle Works, map no. 37
Redcoat soldiers
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 1.30pm
Where: Victoria Theatre balcony, map no. 26
Speedwell Street cottages
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Where: Speedwell Street, map no. 55
Wheel-making demonstration
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 1.50pm and 2.30pm
Where: Proctor’s Wheelwrights & Coachbuilder, map no. 44
Fire Station
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 3.45pm-4.45pm
Where: Fire Station, map no. 40
Voltaic Battery Blasting Demonstration
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 3:30pm
Where: Parade Showground, map no. 34
Surface Machinery Tour
Included in day pass
Date: Everyday
Time: 3.30pm
Where: Engine House, map no. 36