IF you glanced outside on Friday, July 4, it may not have seemed like a typical winter day in Bathurst - the sun was shining, and there wasn't a cloud in sight.

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Though it wasn't a winter day that locals would expect, it was the perfect weather for the opening night of Winter in Bathurst - the 2025 iteration of the well-known Winter Festival.

Kicking off the festivities with Brew and Bite, the event saw a section of William Street and Elizabeth Street closed to traffic to make room for dozens of food and market stalls, rides, and amusements.

And, to top it all off, families and friends were able to take to the ice, with the McDonald's ice rink set up on the back bowling greens at The Greens on William.

Hundreds of people attended the opening night, with plenty of locals and even travellers from interstate, ready to soak up the sensational sunshine on the day.

This sponsorship is something that Winter in Bathurst attendee Atmaram Rana said he was incredibly grateful for.

After attending the Bathurst Winter Festival for around six years, Mr Rana was initially upset with the news that the event may not proceed.

"It was a bit sad," he said.

See photos from the Winter in Bathurst Brew and Bite night at The Greens on William.

But he quickly turned his frown upside down when he learnt that a similar event would still happen.

"It's a wonderful effort by the local business community, so I think it's really great that they have put it all together," he said.

As for what he thought of the 2025 Winter in Bathurst event?

"It's great, my 20-month-old daughter has had her first Winterfest experience, so I'm delighted," Mr Rana said.

His decision to attend the opening night was a no-brainer, and after seeing everything there was to offer, he said that his first venture to Winter in Bathurst will certainly not be his last.

"I looked at the weather and there was part-sun, so we thought we would come for the first night, but we will definitely come more and more," he said.

Overall, Mr Rana said he was very thankful to the Bathurst businesses involved in getting the event off the ground, and that he would encourage everyone to head to The Greens on William to support Winter in Bathurst.