• Flights
  • Hotels
  • Flight+Hotel
  • Cars
  • Holidays
Select your outward journey date
Select your return journey date

Queenstown Winterfestival, New Zealand

Travel advice

For over 30 years this out-of-the-ordinary annual event has been celebrating the start of winter like nowhere else. The town of Queenstown, situated in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island, will this year be honouring the coming of the cold season between 26th June and 5th July with a plethora of events ranging from the cultural to the downright ridiculous. The whole thing kicks off with a firework display on the evening of 26th down by the lake with food stalls and music from New Zealand's top percussionists. During the following days in downtown Queenstown, you'll be able to watch a film, take a stroll through the markets or catch an ice hockey game before donning your best mask for the Lindauer Diamond Ball. For something a little more energetic, try one of the fun runs/walks or give Frisbee golf a go! You'll find other ways to amuse yourself too with jazz nights and a satirical look at the history of the country from Te Radar. Perhaps the most ridiculous event of all is the Ski Through the Decades extravaganza where people dress up in typical dress from their favourite decade and take to the slopes to wow the crowd with their skills. Prizes for the best dressed.

For all the practical information on the event (including how to prepare yourself for such an outrageous celebration) plus the full programme, visit the official website here.

All travel advice

In brief