Queenstown Winter Festival, 24th June - 3rd July
Way back in 1975 one Queenstown local decided that the arrival of snow meant a great excuse for a party and some light-hearted racing on the mountains. The Festival has now evolved to become one of the major events on the winter calendar with visitors arriving from all over New Zealand and the world to join in the fun. Last year, over 60,000 people turned up to party and this year's 10 day programme looks set to attract just as many again.
What To Expect
- Settled weather and average daily max temperature of 7.7 degree Celsius
- Crisp, clean mountain air, clear blue skies with sunshine
- Warm winter clothing needed, plus warm hat and sunnies (sunglasses)
- Events for families, skiers, snowboarders or those just looking for some winter fun
- Lots of people of all ages celebrating winter in a style unique to Queenstown.
Festival Programme
There's a huge variety of events and entertainment going on during the 10 day festival including:
- Opening Party & Fireworks Friday 24 June - 5:30pm @ Earnslaw Park
- Party Friday 24 June - 8:00pm @ American Express Ice Box
- Pop Force - Live Entertainment Friday 24 June - 9:30pm @ SKYCITY
- Creative Arts & Crafts Market Saturday 25 June - 10:00am @ Earnslaw Park
- Mask Making Workshops Saturday 25 June - 10:00am @ Queenstown Art Society
- Mountain Bikes on Snow Saturday 25 June - 11:00am @ Coronet Peak
- Festival Street Parade Saturday 25 June - 12:00pm @ Streets of Queenstown
- Teddy Bears Picnic Saturday 25 June - 1:00pm @ Earnslaw Park
- Frisbee Golf Saturday 25 June - 1:00pm @ Queenstown Gardens
- Football : Queenstown v's Invercargill Saturday 25 June - 2:45pm
- Summit Ski & Board Workshop Saturday 25 June - 5:00pm @ Revolver
- Ice Hockey – Southern Stampede vs Dunedin Thunder Saturday 25 June - 7:00pm @ Queenstown Ice Arena
- Masquerade Ball - Burlesque Saturday 25 June - 7:30pm @ American Express Ice Box
- Live Entertainment Saturday 25 June - 9:30pm @ SKYCITY Queenstown Casino
- Tararua Skin to the Summit Sunday 26 June - 7:00am @ Coronet Peak
- Firefighter Chill Factor Challenge Sunday 26 June - 8:00am @ Coronet Peak
- Lantern Making Workshops Sunday 26 June - 10:00am @ Queenstown Art Society
- MoreFM Day on the Bay Sunday 26 June - 12:00pm @ Queenstown Bay
- Queenstown Rovers Premier Women play Invercargill Thistle Sunday 26 June - 1:00pm
- Ice Hockey – Southern Stampede vs Dunedin Thunder Sunday 26 June - 4:10pm
- Mountain Scene ...Thriller in the Chiller Sunday 26 June - 7:00pm @ Queenstown Events Centre
- Zumba Mania Monday 27 June - 12:00pm @ Earnslaw Park
- Comedy Gala Monday 27 June - 7:30pm @ American Express Ice Box
- Stars on Ice Tuesday 28 June - 12:00pm @ Wonderland Ice Rink
- Mardi Gras Tuesday 28 June - 5:30pm @ Streets of Queenstown
- Late Night Laughs Wednesday 29 June - 9:00pm @ American Express Ice Box
- Speight's Dog Derby Thursday 30 June - 12:00pm @ Coronet Peak
- Speight's Dog Barking Thursday 30 June - 3:00pm @ Earnslaw Park
- Speight's Great Stag Roar Thursday 30 June - 5:00pm @ Speight's Ale House
- Alpine Health & Fitness Ladies Fashion Challenge Thursday 30 June - 8:00pm @ American Express Ice Box
- Speight's Summit Dodgeball Championship Friday 1 July - 12:00pm @ Earnslaw Park
- American Honey Night Ski & Concert Featuring Mercury Crowe & Mile High Friday 1 July - 4:00pm @ Coronet Peak
- Ice Hockey – Southern Stampede vs Botany Swarm Friday 1 July - 7:00pm @ Queenstown Ice Arena
The events listed are only some of what's happening. For full details of what's going at the 2011 Winter Festival, please view http://www.winterfestival.co.nz/
Queenstown Accommodation
You'll find an array of accommodation in Queenstown, from backpacking budget options to top-end hotel accommodation. We advise booking early to avoid disappointment.
