Winter Festivals In Sydney + The Hunter Valley : Snowy School Holiday Activities In July 2014

Sorry this is from July 2014 – you can search the blog using the search box to find more recent winter activities.

Did you know that there are several winter festivals taking place in and around Sydney over the July school holidays?

If you fancy some icy frolics with the family, some ice skating outdoors and even a bit of snowball throwing, here’s where to find the wintery action.

I’ll start with the biggest event, which takes place in the Hunter Valley. Hunter Valley Gardens kindly supplied all the images I’m using for this post – thank you.

NB Check the websites and ideally book your skating times ahead!

Snow Time In The Gardens

Friday 27 June – Sunday 13 July – 9.00am – 9.00pm

There’s an ice skating rink, husky racing demonstrations, snow dogs to see, toboggan racing, ice sculptures and a snow ball challenge too. Heaps to do for the whole family at the Hunter valley Gardens.

Read the website here.

Read a great review from Boy Eats World here.

Bondi Winter Magic Ice Rink

Friday 27 June – Sunday 13 July – 10.00am – 9.00pm

An outdoors ice rink by Bondi Pavilion is a very popular Eastern Suburbs destination in school holidays. Sessions start on the hour and last 45 minutes.

Read about the ice rink and other winter festivities here.

Cronulla on Ice

Saturday 28th June – Sunday 13th July. 10am to 6pm Mon- Wed and 10am – 9pm Thurs – Sun.

This is a covered pop-up ice rink. Sessions last for 30 minutes on this rink.

Darling Harbour Cool Yule

Friday 13th June – Sunday 13th July. Mon-Fri noon-10pm; Sat, Sun 10am-10pm.

There’s an ice rink at Tumbalong Park, plus a snow slide, gigantic zorb balls and a life sized snow globe at this month-long snowy fiesta at Darling Harbour!

Buy skating tickets here. Read the Cool Yule website here.

Parramatta Winterlight Festival

Thursday 26th June – Sunday 13th July

Parramatta’s pop up ice rink and festivities take place in Prince Alfred Park this year. Skating sessions last 45 minutes and there are performances, lessons, food and drink and other activities too.

Read more and book tickets here. Read more about the festival and the kids workshops taking place here.

Visiting one of these events is the nearest my family will get to the snow this year. Yet again, I’ve decided not to take them all skiing. Teen17 is going with his school next term and is delighted though.

One year I will get a grip and take the lot of them down to the Snowy Mountains, but this year we’ll be satisfied with making snowballs in Sydney instead.

Have you visited one of the winter festivals?

What do you think? Top Tips?

Am I mad not to take the kids skiing?

Check out the best of Sydney for school holidays here!