International Ice Hockey
Venue: Queenstown Fun Centre
Time: 8:30pm
Cost: Ticketed Event
This annual clash between the Canadian Moose and the New Zealand Ice Blacks marks the climax of a four match New Zealand tour. Both teams have a killer instinct on the ice and, after New Zealand took the series in 2003, there will be a battle for honours in this, the 15th anniversary series. The opening test is on Friday June 25th at 8.30pm with the second test on Sunday June 27th from 2.00pm. A sell out every year.
Very suitable for anyone looking for fast, action packed, up close sporting action.
Saturday 24 June
Festival Parade
Venue: Central Queenstown
Time: 12.00pm
Cost: Free
Join thousands of others to watch a colourful and lively parade of vehicles, people, floats and entertainers snake its way through the streets of Queenstown. Secure your vantage point early and after the parade, head for Earnslaw Park for the prize giving and family entertainment.
Suitable for all ages, but definitely a kids and family day out. Wrap up warm.
Live In Concert
Venue: Queenstown Events Centre
Time: 8.00pm
Cost: Ticketed Event
Last year it was Jimmy Barnes. Whose up this year?
This event is a must for any music fan. Bookings essential.
Sunday 25 June
Big Brunch
Venue: Skyline Restaurant
Time: 10.30am
Cost: Ticketed Event
Take a gondola ride up to Queenstown’s highest restaurant for Sunday brunch with a stunning view. Enjoy the Sunday paper, a glass of Lindauer, sumptuous food, superb music and the company of friendly and famous faces before another big day of festivities.
Suitable for over 18’s.
Day on the Bay
Venue: Queenstown Bay
Time: 12.00 noon
Cost: Free
Water, madcap events and keen people to enter them make up the Day on the Bay. Watch or take part in the action on the beach and in the chilling waters of Lake Wakatipu. Teams and individuals take on the Resort Radio Birdman, the Cold Power Splash for Cash, and the Undy 500. This is your chance to take the plunge (literally) and maybe win some of the great prizes up for grabs. The afternoon culminates in two invitational adrenalin powered events. The Queenstown Jet Sprints involves famous (and brave/foolhardy) New Zealanders racing against the clock in high powered jet boats while in the Queenstown Bay Classic skilled operators relay through a course on jet boats, rafts and jetskis.
Suitable for all ages.
SKYCITY Jazz Night
Venue: Skyline Restaurant
Time: 8.00pm
Cost: Ticketed Event
Ride the gondola to the spectacular Skyline Restaurant for a magical jazz filled journey. From three stages positioned around the venue you can take your pick of nationally and internationally acclaimed jazz exponents including Nathan Haines, and the Haines Quintet, Manuel Bundy, Ian Date and the Funky Hot Mamas. This is one of THE big nights out on the festival calendar for locals and visitors alike so get your dancing shoes on, grab your friends and prepare to party.
A must for all music lovers, jazz lovers and partygoers (over 18) everywhere.
Monday 26 June
Celebrity Snow Day
Venue: Coronet Peak
Time: 10.30am
Cost: Free
Take some of Queenstown’s top young skiers, a collection of local and national sporting heroes and a diverse bunch of famous faces, challenge them to a day of fun races and events on the snow and the results are inevitably hilarious. Witness the sometimes woeful skiing and snowboarding of several of New Zealand’s most well known personalities as they race through the gates to make it to the end of the course as fast as possible and by whatever means necessary.
A great chuckle for all ages.
American Express Great Comedy Debate
Venue: Queenstown Events Centre
Time: 8.00pm
Cost: Ticketed Event
Nationally renowned comedians, actors and television personalities
go toe to toe over some VINI (Very Important National Issue).
Always hilarious, the debate features two teams and a hapless
chairperson impossibly charged with keeping the debaters on
the subject, to time
and at least generally seemly. A sell-out event for the past
four years, this year the debate moves to a larger venue. But
be warned, do book early for what is one of the most popular
events of the festival. Ticket includes all the hilarity you
can handle and nibbles. Cash bar available.
Guaranteed laughs for over 18’s.
Tuesday 27 June
Woodstock Downtown Day
Venue: Earnslaw Park
Time: 12.00 noon
Cost: Free
The second of festival’s big free daytime carnivals, Downtown Day is a collection of madcap events where the adventurous and extreme meet the totally ludicrous and ridiculous. Classic Challenge teams will strut their stuff as they compete in the daring AJ Hackett Bungy Fear Factor, Smith’s City Snowball Shootout, Gibbston Valley Barrel Roll and the hilarious Mudshake Superslide. Then it’s on to the finale of the day’s festivities – the Q92fm Drag Race. Watch as the invitation only field competes in a steeple chase event and vies for the additional titles of Miss Personality and Miss Photogenic.
A great giggle for all ages.
Queenstown Mardi Gras
Venue: Streets of Queenstown
Time: 6pm onwards
Cost: Free. Bring $ for food, drinks and party favours
This is a street party not to be missed as hot entertainment heats a chilly winter’s night. Buy your glowing baubles on arrival to support local charities then get ready to dance the night away. The Queenstown Mardi Gras is a celebration of winter festive fun and is a great night out for families, visitors and locals. An array of food and drinks stalls will keep you refreshed. Look out for the street parade, street entertainers and live entertainment from local and visiting acts on two stages. Later be sure to check out the party indoors at Queenstown’s Mardi Bars.
A “don’t miss” event for families and party animals of all ages. Wrap up warm.
Wednesday 28 June
Lindauer Ski Golf Classic
Venue: Coronet Peak and Millbrook Golf Course
Time: 7.00am
Cost: Entry Fee
There are few places in the world where you can ski in the morning then play golf in the afternoon. A dream day for those who ski and golf. If only one discipline is your thing put together a team or let us place you in one. All levels and handicaps welcome. Breakfast at Coronet Peak, competition slalom course, helicopter (weather permitting) to Millbrook Resort for carvery lunch then nine holes of golf on the superbly maintained 18-hole championship course.
A “must do” if you are a keen skier and/or golfer. Ideal for corporate teams.
Thursday 29 June
International Snow Sculpture Competition
Venue: Coronet Peak
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm daily
Cost: Free
Skill, art, craftsmanship and teamwork combine as snow carvers from around the globe transform blocks of snow into transiently beautiful works. The final masterpieces, achieved over three days of carving, create a stunning showpiece at Coronet Peak for many days after the conclusion of festival. Judging of the event and prize-giving takes place on Saturday July 3rd at 3.30pm.
Suitable for all ages.
Speight’s Winter Beerfest
Venue: Speight’s Marquee - Queenstown Rec’ Ground
Time: 7.00pm
Cost: Ticketed Event
Think German beer halls, long tables packed with revellers singing their favourite drinking songs along with the ‘Oompah’ band. We’ll fill your special souvenir stein with beer and sustain you with some true Kiwi beer drinking fare as you enjoy what is always a lively night in the Speight’s Festival Marquee. Ticket price includes souvenir stein and T-shirt.
Suitable for 18’s and over.
Friday 30 June
Speight’s Dog Derby
Venue: Coronet Peak
Time: 12.00 noon
Cost: Free
One of the festival’s oldest and most loved events. Shepherds and their dogs travel by the Coronet Express chair to the top of Coronet Peak. Then they race down to the base without the aid of skis or snowboard. Person and dog must arrive together then the dog alone must complete an obstacle course. Total mayhem as Coronet Peak goes to the dogs. Later, at the Speight’s Ale House the tuneless singing of musical dogs rings around the bar in the Speight’s Dog Barking Competition. Enjoy the chaos and a pint of nice cold Speight’s.
Suitable for all ages.
SKYCITY Casino Comedy Night
Venue: SkyCity Queenstown Casino
Time: 8.00pm
Cost: Ticketed Event
Stand out stand up. Join in the fun (heckling is mandatory)
as the best of New Zealand’s stand up comedians gather
at SKYCITY Queenstown Casino and hit you with their best routines.
Guaranteed funny bone tickling and always a sell-out, a hilarious
event at a superb venue.
Over 20’s only.
Saturday 31 June
Family Mountain Carnival
Venue: Coronet Peak
Time: 10.00am
Cost: Free, bring $ for food, drinks (& ski area passes
if skiing or snowboarding)
A great way to unwind from a fantastic week with early season skiing and boarding and carnival activities. Lolly scrambles, face painting, clowns, a sizzling BBQ and live music as well as snow painting competitions, a tug of war on snow and other activities for kids of all ages. You can watch as the Peak to Peak contestants finish their gruelling race from the Remarkables Ski Area or grab a suitcase and throw yourself down the slopes in the Telecom Suitcase Race. The fit and adventurous can enter the Dash for Cash for a chance to win tax free booty.
Suitable for all ages.
Grandeur Ball
Venue: Queenstown Events Centre
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: Ticketed Event
Festival’s most prestigious event, the Grandeur Ball is your opportunity to savour an evening of sumptuous dining, internationally acclaimed entertainment and more glamour than you can shake a stick at! After an introductory cocktail hour you will be treated to an exquisite three course meal while you are swung like you’ve never been swung before by the silken tones of Mr Frank Bennett and the Fantastic Grandeur Big Band. After dinner it’s onto the dance floor where Ted Clark and his (in)famous Love Shack Band will have you rocking the night away. A sellout for the past two years, be sure to get your tickets early.
The ultimate in style for over 18s.
Sunday 1 July
Boost Mobile Big Air
Venue: Queenstown Bungy Rocket Site
Time: 11.00am
Cost: Ticketed Event
If you’ve ever wondered about the hype surrounding a Big Air competition, here is your chance to get up close and personal as some of New Zealand’s finest snowboarders and skiers go head to head in what promises to be Queenstown’s biggest big air event – ever. Heats and semi-finals will be held during the day from 11.00am along with plenty of other activities, DJ entertainment and give-aways. As night falls it’s finals time as the best of the best throw down the biggest tricks in their repertoire. From 7.30pm it’s party time with top New Zealand bands Kora and Elemeno-P.
Suitable for all ages. Dance party for 18s and over.
For the official winter festival site click here