A calendar of dates for the diary
Queenstown’s key spring/early
summer event listings (Sept-Dec
2013)
Queenstown’s calendar is packed with
events, festivals and things to see and do all year round.
From exhibitions and sporting events to cultural festivals
and nightlife entertainment, there's so much for visitors to
experience and savour. Here's a taste of what's in store
from September to December 2013:
Spring Challenge
- 27-29 September
This all-girl adventure race
involves teams of three navigating their way through course
using a map and compass and taking on the challenge of
rafting, mountain biking and
hiking.
www.springchallenge.co.nz
Fly My
Pretties Homeland Tour – 29 September
Kiwi
favourite and platinum-record-selling artist Anika Moa joins
the ranks of Fly My Pretties for their Homeland Tour at the
Queenstown Memorial Centre on 29 September. Tickets $60 from
Ticketek.
Queenstown International Jazz and Blues
Festival – 24-27 October
Don’t miss this
fantastic three-day live music celebration as over 70 jazz
and blues musicians from the USA, Australia and New Zealand
perform in Queenstown over Labour Weekend.
Headlining
this year’s festival will be Australian legend Renee Geyer
who has had hit songs both sides of the Tasman as well as
highly claimed soul jazz albums over the last few years.
Renee and her four-piece band will give a one-night-only
performance at the festival with Kiwi international Billy TK
Jnr and UK blues maestro Paul Ubana Jones.
From cool
blues and classy jazz to soul funk and big band swing,
there’ll be something to get everyone in the mood with an
all-star lineup including Mahia Blackmore, King Leo Blues
band, The Federation and jazz divas Lorraine Haville and
Margaret Umbers, Blacksanddiva, and many more.
Free and
ticketed gigs will be held at Steamer Wharf and at venues
around the CBD, culminating in a special gala concert.
Arrowtown Long Lunch – 6
December
The historic gold mining village of
Arrowtown celebrates the start of summer with its annual
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 the event will be donated to the
Queenstown Trails Trust for their valuable work on the
tracks around Arrowtown. www.arrowtownlonglunch.co.nz
Rhythm and Alps – 30-31
December
Rhythm and Alps, the only two-day music
festival in the South Island, has relocated to Cardrona
Valley, 40 minutes north of Queenstown. The festival will be
based in the spectacular setting between Cardrona Ski Resort
and the Pisa Plateau and will cater for up to 5000 campers.
The line-up features some great international and Kiwi acts
including Rudimental, Shapeshifter, P-Money, David Dallas
and @Peace. www.rhythmandalps.co.nz
New Year’s Eve downtown
– 31 December
New Year’s Eve will go off
with a bang in central Queenstown with a spectacular
lakeside fireworks display, live music and entertainment in
the streets. The celebrations launch the month-long
Summerdaze Festival.
www.summerdaze.co.nz
Summerdaze – 31 December-31
January
Long summer days are ideal for getting
out and enjoying the annual Summerdaze Festival which has an
action-packed month-long calendar of events from 31 December
to 31 January. The fun begins with downtown New Year’s Eve
celebrations and a dazzling fireworks display to welcome in
the new year and continues through January with a range of
music, sport, arts and cultural events reflective of the
diversity of people and interests in the region.
www.summerdaze.co.nz
International ODI Cricket
match – 1 January
Don‘t miss this great New
Year’s Day entertainment as New Zealand takes on the West
Indies in a One Day International at Queenstown Events
Centre, as part of the ANZ International Cricket Series.
www.blackcaps.co.nz
For a full list of events and festivals taking place in Queenstown in 2013-2014 please visit: www.queenstownNZ.co.nz. ________________________________________
ENDS