The festival runs from August 3 until August 5, with more than a dozen events in and around Orange are set to put the winter night on centre stage.

Orange Region Tourism general manager Caddie Marshall said that winter is the perfect time to showcase the region in all its winter glory and has her fingers crossed for another dusting of snow.

“The Orange Winter Fire Festival is inspired by the Australian cracker night bonfire tradition and will include bonfires, char-grilled feasts, star gazing from both European and Indigenous perspectives, and blazing Sunday lunches in country pubs, cafes and restaurants,” Ms Marshall said.

“We can offer people an authentic country winter experience with crisp clear days, starry skies, hearty food, cosy fireplaces and elegant cool climate wines.

Details about some of the events have been released. 

On Friday, August 3, Millthorpe Village will turn into a winter wonderland with live music by Smith and Jones, with food and wine market stalls in Pym Street. 

There will also be Fiery Friday event from 6-8pm at Ross Hill Wines where you can enjoy an easy Friday evening by the outdoor fireplace enjoying soup and paella by renowned chef, Michael Manners, and a glass of delicious Ross Hill wine, all inclusive for $25 per person. 

Wassailing is the ancient custom of visiting farms and wineries, distilleries and orchards to recite incantations and sing to the trees to awaken the plants and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit.

Join Small Acres Cyder, See Saw wines and Canobolas Dance Hall for an evening of wassailing, bonfires, music and entertainment while the grape vines and apple and cherry orchards are blessed in preparation for Spring.

Local wassailing dancers and local band the Honey Drippin’ Mudskippers will provide the evening's entertainment, while Jo Robson catering will spoil attendees with a locally inspired two course meal. Tickets also includes a drink on arrival - either See Saw Prosecco or Small Acres Cyder Sparkling pear champagne.

Additional drinks will be available for $7 per glass or $25 per bottle. Please bring cash. Rug up, bring your dancing shoes and your friends for a fun and frivolous winter's night!

Enjoy a night of original contemporary Australian poetry and music provided by renowned storyteller Frank Povah. An experienced character that will leave you captivated and in laughter. Mr Povah will sing, tell stories and more while you enjoy a camp oven dinner, damper and dessert.

Join De Salis Wines for a sybaritic last supper. Step back to 1802 for the last days of the de Salis family in the Maira Valley, on the French Italian border. Will you raise a glass in commiseration or conspire with the revolutionaries. Dress appropriately for the period if desired. Expect a grand winter celebration. Enjoy a five course feast fit for the last supper by Racine Restaurant and fine wine by De Salis around the fire.

Be guided through the fiery night sky by astronomers Trevor and Tina Leaman. Mr Leaman is a PhD Researcher and member of the Australian Indigenous Astronomy Group studying the astronomical knowledge and traditions of the Wiradjuri people of Central NSW. 

Telescopes will be provided for observing the sun safely, and the stars and planets at night. There will be fire pits for keeping warm, with hot soups, warm bread, hot drinks including mulled wine and sweet treats.

Bring your own telescope and binoculars if you have them and a rug. 

Enjoy a hearty, gourmet meal from Racine Restaurant matched with Nashdale Lane’s premium wine by a roaring bonfire as you are taken on a magical, astronomical journey, igniting the mind and senses.

Led by the dynamic, passionate budding astronomer Matt Dodds, who is featured on ABC’s Star Gazing Live, the family-friendly evening is a relaxed, fun, and informative navigation of Orange’s stunning winter night sky.

Using high powered, professional telescopes and guided laser presentation, witness well known and less known galactic wonders like Tarantula Nebula, the mystical beauty of the Jewel Box Open Cluster and Omega Centauri – an awe-inspiring globular cluster of 10 million stars to Saturn, to name but a few!

Ticket price includes a glass of wine on arrival, a hearty gourmet meal and freshly baked breads from Racine Restaurant (kids meals feature Racine Bakery’s famous sausage rolls + juice), astronomy laser presentation, use of high powered telescopes, a roaring bonfire (or cosy up inside the stylish, new cellar door). Additional drinks available at cellar door prices, by glass or bottle. No BYO.

Explore the beauty of the night sky a different way with iPads and iPhones. Be able to locate the planets, the stars, and their constellations with ease as you are guided to all major aspects of the night sky.

Enjoy a mug of Montoro Wine’s sensational mulled wine made from their 2014 Pepper Shiraz and enjoy a barbequed German sausage or Kransky slowly cooked to perfection on a new German Schwenker grill as the bonfire burns. Live music and soothing sounds will make this night one to remember.

Bring iPads, iPhones, chairs, rugs, scarves and warm head gear to fully enjoy the red coals of the fire and the quiet ambience and beauty of a perfect night sky.

The Aussie Fire Buckets’ Camp Oven Cook Off is a fun day for people of all ages! There will be market stalls, BBQ, raffle, cake stall, bar facilities, music and a FREE kids entertainment area with jumping castle!

The camp oven cooking competition has five categories: Best Damper, Best Main, Best Cake, Best Local Dish, and Best Junior Dish. There’ll also be a billing boiling competition!

What better way to get warm on a winter’s day than from the inside out. Enjoy mulled cider with warming spices, as well as apple crumble tarts which will be available all day at Small Acres Cyder cellar door where you can also enjoy tastings of their premium range of ciders.

Take a Sunday drive in the country to Carcoar, a beautiful historical village with impressive buildings and cottages and enjoy a cosy, country meal at the hotel.

Take a stroll around the village streets, see the Belubula River as it runs through the middle of town.

There are a number of shops with pottery, home wares and clothing on offer, espresso coffee at the village grocer and as well as a toy museum that are all across the street from the hotel.

Enjoy a Sunday Roast with all the trimmings all day and night for $20.

Make a trip to the Central West’s ‘Heart of Gold’ and enjoy music, market stalls, kids entertainment, food and drinks at the Cargo Markets.

Enjoy your Sunday lunch on a rooftop complete with firepits and delicious food and drink!