Illuminations will feature once again this year, on the court house and at new site on George and Keppel Street, and people are encouraged to view the illuminations from their own car.

Residents are also encouraged to have their own light show, with prizes on offer for the best and brightest displays.

Market stalls, which were the main feature of the festival, will be held online for 2020.

Bowman Dental, one of the festival's sponsors, will partner with the Groove and Grill event, which will see local musicians play live music from a local cafes, with the performances streamed live via social media.

Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said the drive-in cinema should be a hit with the local community.

"The opportunity to come up to the Mount and watch old and new movies with your friends and family, there's no better way to do it. Get out there and enjoy it," he said.

Cr Bourke believes it's been over 30 years since Bathurst had a drive-in cinema and he said the event will be something young people will be keen to experience.

"The old drive-in cinema used to be up here at Mount Panorama and it's been over 30 years since the last film here," he said.

"As a teenager growing up and getting my license, the first thing I wanted to do was go to the drive-in.

"I'm hoping the community will come out this time. A lot of kids have their license and they haven't felt that drive-in experience, unless you might go to Sydney and find one somewhere still open."

This year's theme for the event is 'Experience it Differently' and there'll be doubt this year's event will live up to the theme.

Cr Bourke stressed that the community's safety is an absolute priority.

"Council is planning the festival in accordance with current state and federal guidelines," he said.

"The festival format may adapt should these guidelines change."

The Bathurst Winter Festival will run from July 4-19.