Queenstown Scene

Hello you 👋

From alpine beats at Snow Machine to fun at the Rees Street Party, this week is stacked with energy. Test your speed at the Red Bull Homerun, while culture lovers can dive into the Sir Ian Athfield Memorial Lecture or a hands-on harakeke weaving workshop. Conservation heroes are called to action with trap libraries and wilding pine days, while evenings bring bellydancing and community vibes. Queenstown’s week ahead is a perfect mix of music, movement, and mindful moments.

🎟️ Events This Week

• ❄️ Snow Machine – The Remarkables & Coronet Peak

  The ultimate alpine music festival kicks off Tuesday 9 September and runs until 14 September, bringing world-class acts like Amyl and the Sniffers, Claptone, Mallrat, Hot Dub Time Machine, Netsky and Luude to the breathtaking slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. Four day festival pass from $499. You can ski by day and dance atop mountains by night.

• 🎉 Rees Street Party – Rees Street

  Queenstown’s main drag is shutting down for an all‑out winter street party on Wednesday 10 September. Part of Snow Machine, this 18+ celebration brings headline acts Hot Dub Time Machine and What So Not plus local legend Slimberley to an open‑air stage. Final release tickets are $89. Expect food stalls, light displays and dancing in puffer jackets.

• 🏂 Red Bull Homerun – Coronet Peak

  On Saturday 6 September at 2pm Coronet Peak’s craziest dash. Red Bull Homerun pits skiers and snowboarders against each other in a mad sprint to strap in and race to the bottom. Entry is $29 and includes a custom beanie, bib and lift access, with prizes for the fastest competitors. Come for the race and stay for the after‑party at the base bar!

• 🏛️ Sir Ian Athfield Memorial Lecture – Crowne Plaza

  Celebrate architecture and sustainability at this free memorial lecture on Friday 5 September, 5pm – 7pm. Architect Ian Moore explores adaptive reuse and challenges conventional design practices, honouring the late Sir Ian Athfield. It’s a thought‑provoking evening for design lovers and community members alike. Donations are welcome and there’s time for Q&A afterwards.

• 🌿 Harakeke Plant Guard Weaving – Queenstown Library

  As part of Conservation Week, join weavers at the Queenstown Library on Thursday 4 September from 5:30pm – 7pm. This free workshop teaches how to harvest harakeke (New Zealand flax) respectfully and weave protective plant guards. All materials are supplied; just bring your enthusiasm and help safeguard new seedlings.

• 🌲 Wilding Pine Volunteer Day – One Mile Car Park

  Help restore Queenstown’s forests by removing invasive wilding pines on Sunday 7 September, 12pm – 3pm. No experience needed – tools and guidance are provided. It’s a satisfying way to protect our landscape, meet fellow conservationists and enjoy a free afternoon outdoors. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves and a can‑do attitude!

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🏔️ General Picks

• 💃 Bellydancing with Bee Sadalah - Te Atamira 

  Discover the art of bellydancing with expert instructor Bee Sadalah every Friday, 7:30pm at Te Atamira. These classes welcome dancers of all levels to explore this beautiful and expressive art form in a supportive environment. You'll learn traditional movements while building confidence, strength and grace in this empowering dance style.

• 🪤 Pop‑Up Trap Library – Mitre 10 Mega, Shotover Park

  Borrow a pest trap and join the fight to protect native birds at this Conservation Week pop‑up. Head to Mitre 10 Mega on Saturday 6 September from 1pm – 3pm where friendly experts will show you how to set traps safely. It’s free, family‑friendly and there will also be a fundraising sausage sizzle. Help make backyards predator‑free!

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🌏 Welcoming Week Celebrates Diversity

  Queenstown Lakes District Council has launched Welcoming Week 2025, inviting locals and newcomers to share kai, stories and culture during community‑led events from 5 – 14 September. The programme includes planting days, garden working bees, morning teas and a multi‑language music festival, all beginning with a mihi whakatau at Mana Tāhuna.

• 🚰 Safer Drinking Water for Luggate

  Construction has begun on Luggate’s new drinking‑water upgrade, delivering two new bores, increased water storage and a UV treatment plant. The project was brought forward from 2028 to 2025 to meet growing demand and will ensure safe, reliable water for the community when it opens by February 2026. Temporary lane closures are a small price for such refreshing progress!

Dive in, connect, and enjoy the best of Queenstown! 🤝