Action-packed events calendar in Queenstown this summer

Monday, 26 November 2012, 11:21 am
Press Release: Destination Queenstown

Action-packed events calendar in Queenstown this summer

Queenstown, New Zealand (26 November 2012) - Queenstown is heating up for an action-packed summer with concerts, New Year’s Eve celebrations, street parties, free community events, and sporting matches.

And with the sun rising at 5am and setting as late as 10pm in the four-season lake and alpine resort during summer there’s plenty of time to make the most of the warm sunshine and long twilights.

The nearby historic gold mining village of Arrowtown will celebrate the start of summer on 2 December with the second annual Arrowtown Long Lunch. Along with live music and entertainment, tables featuring differently themed cuisine of local cafes and restaurants will span the length of Arrowtown’s picturesque main street for diners to enjoy alfresco dining at its best. Profits from this year's event will be donated to the Queenstown Trails Trust for their valuable work on the tracks around Arrowtown.

In late December the region moves into holiday mode with visitors joining in the festive fun.

New Year’s Eve day kicks off with cricket action in a truly ‘Remarkable’ setting as the Otago Volts take on the Auckland Aces in an HRV Cup Twenty/20 match at the Queenstown Events Centre against the backdrop of the dramatic Remarkables mountain range.

Come dusk, New Year’s Eve will go off with a bang in central Queenstown with a spectacular lakeside fireworks display, and live music. The celebrations launch the month-long Summerdaze Festival which is filled with sporting, arts, cultural, musical and family entertainment.

Glenorchy Race Day on 5 January has become an iconic local event since its inception more that 40 years ago and is a true southern Kiwi experience. Locals turn out in force to cheer on the competitors, many of whom are local horse trekking staff and stockmen/women, so competition is fierce.

The hugely popular and colourful national Rugby Sevens tournament takes centre field 12-13 January, and is considered one of the sporting highlights on the summer calendar. The two-day event in central Queenstown is a local favourite and is well known for its relaxed fun atmosphere, crowd entertainment and, best of all, an exciting, attacking and explosive style of rugby. Sports fans can also catch the Highlanders take on the Blues in a Super 15 pre-season rugby match at the Queenstown Events Centre on 15 February.

Town meets country on 12 January at the Lake Hayes A&P Show. One of the longest running community events in the Wakatipu, this is an interactive fun-filled family day with plenty of entertainment including competitions, shearing, baking, side shows, candy floss and much more.

Music lovers are spoilt for choice in February with a line-up of national and international performers coming to Queenstown.

Award-winning Kiwi artists including Tiki Taane, Kora, The Black Seeds, and Ladi6 will entertain the crowd on 9 February at the biennial Shotover Sunshine Festival. This outdoor celebration, located ten minutes from Queenstown, has become a favourite with locals and visitors alike.

The 7th annual Classic Hits Winery Tour takes place at Waitiri Creek Winery on 19 February with three of New Zealand music's biggest acts - Fat Freddy’s Drop, Anika Boh and Hollie Smith. The four-hour concert will also feature music from The Adults, a collaboration of top Kiwi musicians including Jon Toogood, Julia Deans and Shayne Carter.

The hugely popular Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert is back for its third year on 23 February with three music legends taking the stage. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Bachman & Turner, and America will be performing their greatest hits against the stunning backdrop of the Kawarau River at Gibbston Valley Station, next to one of Central Otago’s most recognised vineyards.

Two major sporting events bring in the month of March. The New Zealand XI will take on England in a four-day warm-up cricket match at Queenstown Events Centre from 27 February while the second New Zealand PGA Pro Am Championship will tee off on 28 February.

Some of the world’s best golfers and well known celebrities will take to the fairways at The Hills for the four-day Championship including cricketing legend Sir Ian Botham and World Number 1 Women’s Amateur Golfer, Lydia Ko. New to the programme this year is an all-ages concert featuring rising Kiwi star Jamie McDell adding to the atmosphere of the 19th hole, which will showcase the best in Central Otago food, wine and entertainment.

Destination Queenstown CEO Graham Budd said the range of events taking place over summer always creates a great buzz around the region.

“There’s always something happening over summer and the longer days give people plenty of time to get out and experience all Queenstown has to offer. As well as the variety of world-class events taking place there are plenty of activities to make for a great summer holiday, from hiking, biking and golf to bungy jumping, white water rafting and 4 wheel driving. The challenge for visitors will be fitting it all in!”

For a full calendar of summer events plus more information on how to get to Queenstown and where to stay, play, shop, eat and drink please visit www.queenstownNZ.co.nz.

ENDS

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