17 June 2011

Festival fever is sweeping across Queenstown New Zealand with just over a week to go until the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival kicks off on Friday 24 June until Sunday 3 July.

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party promises yet another stellar line up of on-mountain action, downtown magic, outrageous, fun and glamorous events from street parties, parades and fireworks to live concerts, comedy and theatre.

In true festival form organizers have continued to raise the bar and the action starts with the FREE American Express Opening Party and Fireworks on Earnslaw Park from 5.30pm Friday 24 June. Festival-goers can expect Queenstown’s biggest fireworks display to date, fabulous local entertainment leading into a concert from Kiwi rocker Jordan Luck with special guests.

Over the ten days of festival tens of thousands of locals and visitors are expected to take to Queenstown streets and ski slopes to partake in more than 50 programmed events, of which 32 are absolutely free.

Festival Director Simon Green said there were endless opportunities for people to get involved, take part and soak up the party atmosphere in New Zealand’s premier alpine resort.

“We’re really excited about this year’s Festival and have pulled out all the stops to put on another truly awesome celebration of winter in Queenstown,” he said.

“Besides scores of free activities to suit all ages and interests there’s a number of tickets still available for some of our major Festival events including the ABSOLUT NZ Party, Thriller in the Chiller and, the perennial favourite, the Stoneleigh Jazz Night. Festival is about what people make of it and we encourage everyone to get amongst this unique and fun event.”

In addition to the programmed events Queenstown will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland with an outdoor ice skating rink on the Village Green.

A new way to be involved, for those handy with a camera, is to upload Festival snaps daily onto www.winterfestival.co.nz for the ‘Shot of Day’ competition. The best photographers will be rewarded with plenty of prizes including a top prize for the pic judged ‘Shot of the Festival’.

To see the full line up of the programme and individual event details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

Tickets for all events can be bought from TicketDirect online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz, by phone 0800 224 224 (03 450 9110), or in person at the Queenstown Events Centre or Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets)*.

Winter Starts Here! From 24 June to 3 July the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival celebrates 37 years of winter fun and festivities with 10 days of totally outrageous and uniquely Queenstown events. Join us on Facebook, become a Friend of Festival and keep an eye on www.winterfestival.co.nz to be first with the latest news and hot updates. For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz.

* Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

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