Queenstown Scene

Hello you 👋

Marathon fever has hit Queenstown and the week is stacked. Cheer on thousands of runners, laugh loud with visiting US comedians, dip into FLINT’s show-and-tell night, then balance it all out with tai chi, markets and late-night dance floors. However you like to play, there’s something to match your pace.

🎟️ Events This Week

• 🏃‍♂️ NZ Sotheby’s Queenstown Marathon – Various Start Locations

  Cheer on thousands of runners or lace up yourself for Saturday 15 November. The internationally renowned marathon features 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and kids’ runs. The course travels through Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown, Lake Hayes and along the Shotover River before finishing in central Queenstown. Spectating is free. Pack a picnic, line the course and soak up the festival atmosphere!

• 😂 American Standup Comedians Invade Otago – Searchlight Brewery

  Four heavy‑hitting U.S. comics descend on Arthurs Point for a no‑holds‑barred comedy takeover. The R18 show kicks off at 6:30pm Friday 14 November with tickets costing $34.05. Expect razor‑sharp jokes, brutal banter and zero sensitivity as CJ Pierson, Ryan Smagalski, Kathy Wilson and Jimmy Pete tear up the mic.

• 🧑‍💻 FLINT Queenstown – November Show & Tell – Pivot Innovation

  Celebrate curiosity and community at this free show‑and‑tell evening. On Thursday 13 November, 6pm – 8pm, six locals share creative projects and tech experiments in fast paced five minute slots. With casual networking, Q&A and local brews, it’s the perfect way to see what’s bubbling away in Tāhuna’s creative scene.

• 🎤 Jonathan Lemalu Concert – Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall

  Internationally acclaimed bass baritone Jonathan Lemalu returns home for an evening of anecdotes and arias. Held at the historic Arrowtown hall on Thursday 13 November, 6:30pm – 9pm, tickets range from $90.42 – $100.68 and include canapés. Lemalu will revisit career highlights and share stories from stages around the world – a rare chance to hear one of Aotearoa’s great voices in an intimate setting.

• 🧘 Community Culture: Experience the Magic of Tai Chi – Te Atamira

  Slow down and reset at Te Atamira as instructor Yuxin Liu guides you through the fundamentals of Tai Chi on Tuesday 18 November, 7pm – 8pm. Expect gentle, flowing movements, breathwork and a focus on balance, body awareness and calm. Free and drop-in, all ages and experience levels are welcome – just bring comfy clothes and curiosity.

• 🔊 Electric Rush ft. Lee Foss – Electric Rush

  Chicago‑born DJ and Hot Creations co‑founder Lee Foss lands in Queenstown for an epic night of house and techno. The dance floor at Electric Rush will pulse from 10 pm Thursday 13 November to 4am Friday 14 November, general release $22.29. Expect big drops, hypnotic grooves and a party vibe that’ll keep you moving until sunrise. Grab your crew and let’s dance!

🏔️ Local and Sponsored Picks

• 🐶 Perfect Day Pets (Sponsored)

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• 🏃‍♀️ ASICS Shakeout Run – Queenstown Beach

  Loosen up before marathon day with a free 20‑30‑minute run along Marine Parade on Friday 14 November, 3 pm. Open to all paces, the shakeout includes spot prizes and refreshments. Registration is essential but there’s no cost. Bring your mates, jog the lakeside and soak up the pre‑race excitement.

• 🧾 2025 Immigration Updates – Queenstown Seminar – Sudima, Frankton

  Need to navigate New Zealand’s evolving visa landscape? Partner Nicola Tiffen and adviser Jamie Harvey host a free employer briefing at Sudima’s Carrington Room on Thursday 13 November, 12:30pm – 2 pm. They’ll cover work visa renewals, resident visa requirements and compliance. Entry is free but spaces are limited, so register early and get your questions answered over lunch.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🚒 Fire Brigade Secretary Wins National Award

  Katherine Lamont, secretary of the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade, has been honoured with Fire and Emergency NZ’s Judges Award. Her petition for volunteer firefighters to receive ACC cover gained over 36,500 signatures and is now before Parliament. Lamont’s advocacy shows the power of community action and celebrates the selfless mahi of our firefighters.

• 🏅 Programme Supporting Young Athletes Expands

  Shotover Jet’s Te Iti Kahuraki Athlete Programme is back for its fourth year, offering sponsorship packages worth up to $3,000 to promising youth athletes. Packages include financial support, jet‑boat passes, merchandise and social media exposure, encouraging rangatahi to aim high. Applications close 16 November. Spread the word and help local talent shine.

• ♨️ Hot pool Complex Full Steam Ahead

  Subject to council sign-off, central Queenstown’s first hot pools complex, Bathe by Aluume, is set to open this week beside Queenstown Mini Golf. The new urban oasis will offer a communal pool plus five private pools with changing spaces, open daily 8am – 10pm. It’s a soothing new way to unwind after busy days in town.

Big thanks for reading! Hope you find something this week that makes you grin from ear to ear 😁