Back for its 8th year, the popular festival will once again feature Sydney’s biggest open-air ice rink – the smoothfm Ice Rink – a dedicated kids’ rink with little ‘kanga helpers’, a 30-metre-long ice slide, giant illuminated ferris wheel, interactive light installation, ice skating performances, carnival rides, free kid’s activities, live music and a food village and bar.
“For the past seven years Winterlight has been a drawcard event for our City, bringing a world of magical winter fun to residents, visitors and workers in the beautiful surrounds of Prince Alfred Square,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson said.
“This year, the festival will present an array of new and exciting features at the 17-day event, commencing with a wonderful opening night that is sure to keep audiences entertained with its show-stopping ice-skating performances and roaming entertainment.”
New to the event this year is a magical light garden with arching canopies and interactive aquabeams that attendees can project into the night sky as well as a spectacular light show frozen inside the ice rink that will illuminate the way for skaters in a colourful and vibrant display.
Perfect for a social lunch under the warm winter sun or a cosy dinner with family and friends, the Winter Village will be home to a range of comforting winter delights from delicious homemade soup and indulgent wood-fired pizza, to fiery Indian curry, German hot dogs and sweet treats from Adora Chocolates and Dutch Poffertjes.
A perfect accompaniment to the meals, Parramatta’s Live and Local musicians will be performing some of the best live music tunes Western Sydney has to offer during the festival’s ‘Village Sessions’.
Theme nights will bring a little something extra to the event on Wednesday nights, with couples and friends skating to live string musicians during Date Night on Wednesday, July 11, followed by a fun-filled Pyjama Party night featuring a silent cinema and everyone’s best pyjamas on Wednesday, July 18.
Event goers will be able to spot some famous faces, with players from the Parramatta Eels and Greater Western Sydney Giants coming along to host meet and greet sessions and sport-filled activations on Monday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 19.
Riverside Theatres will be joining the fun with special screenings of family favourite feature ‘Frozen Sing-a-long’. Tickets can be purchased at
For more information visit
