Watts on in Victoria

Victoria's events calendar is packed full of amazing light festivals, exhibitions and installations all year round, with everything from light and sound shows, festive fireworks and epic light projections.

Dive into the Dandenong Ranges after sunset, to see historic steam train Puffing Billy adorned with lights. Visual effects illuminate trees, scenery and passing towns, as the train chugs along its narrow-gauge track.

Wander the streets of Ballarat's Sovereign Hill as 'snow' falls and vivid projections dance across the facades of the open-air museum's buildings. The AURA Sound and Light Show runs year-round; a multi-sensory experience that tracks the story of gold in the region, from its discovery to the current day.

In the colder months, Melbourne has its annual winter festival RISING putting on a program of food, art and performance, with light installations commonly held around Federation Square and Birrarung Marr.

In regional towns, check out lively winter light festivals, usually held around the solstice. Head to the foot of Mt Buller for the Mansfield Lantern Festival, or nearby alpine town of Bright for The Darker Days Festival. In Gippsland, watch fire twirlers perform and catch captivating light displays at Korumburra Southern Lights Festival.