Queenstown Scene

Hello you 👋

Spring is peeping through the mountains, bringing longer light and crisp evenings perfect for getting out and about. This week Queenstown Scene has tracked down creative workshops, soul‑soothing talks and plenty of ways to give back. There’s a satisfying mix of free community gatherings, crafty classes and a little bit of indulgence to suit all tastes. Dive in and make the most of these early‑spring days!

🎟️ Events This Week

• 💰 Craigs Women’s Wealth: Own Your Worth, Grow Your Wealth — Arrowtown Golf Club

  supportive evening for women to build confidence with investing. Hear from business coach Jane Guy and adviser Stacey Palmer, with Craigs’ team hosting, refreshments provided. Bring a friend and leave with practical next steps. Tuesday 16 September, 5pm – 7:30pm. Free but RSVP required.

• 🚲 Learn 2 Ride: Beginner Bike Lessons for Women – Queenstown Primary School

  If you’ve always wanted to cycle but never learned, this free supportive course on Saturday 13 September, 9am – 5pm is for you. Qualified instructors guide women and girls (15+) through balancing, pedalling and turning in a safe, fun environment. Bikes and helmets are provided, just wear comfy clothes and bring a positive attitude. You’ll pedal away with confidence!

• 🍷 Sip & Kintsugi Workshop – Wet Jacket Wines

  Indulge your creative side on Monday 15 September, 10:30am – 12:30pm. Artist Ema Frost teaches the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi while you enjoy a “Wet your Whistle” wine flight and mini cheese platter. For $189, you’ll repair a piece of pottery with golden seams and take home both your artwork and newfound skills.

• 🧘 Queenstown Yoga & Kirtan Day – Queenstown Memorial Centre

  Rejuvenate your body and spirit at this triple‑treat on Saturday 13 September: a 5pm yoga flow class, 6pm vegetarian meal and 6:45pm Kirtan party. Tickets are $15 (limited to 80 for the yoga/meal), while the Kirtan session is free. Bring your own mat and let community chanting carry you into spring. There’s an extra free Kirtan on Sunday if you want more!

• 🎭 Take A Chance on Me – Arrowtown Atheneum Hall

  Roger Hall’s warm and witty comedy about finding love later in life runs from Thursday 11 September through Wednesday 17 September with shows at 7:30pm. Follow a lively group of characters as they stumble through dating mishaps and unexpected sparks. Performances at the historic Arrowtown hall promise laughs and heart. General admission tickets start at $48.15.

• 🏂 Jossi Wells Invitational - Cardrona Alpine Resort & Treble Cone

  Watch world-class freeskiers and snowboarders push the boundaries at this prestigious competition running Sunday 7 September to Sunday 14 September. The invitational always raises the bar with athlete performance and style, featuring innovative competition formats. Head to Cardrona Alpine Resort to witness the future of snow sports unfold before your eyes.

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🏔️ General Picks

• 🏒 Jurassic Hockey League – Queenstown Ice Arena

  Catch four fast‑paced ice hockey games for free on Wednesday 17 September as local teams battle it out in the Jurassic League. The action runs throughout the evening, and there’s no ticket needed! Just turn up, rug up and cheer on your favourites. It’s a fun way to warm up wintery nights while supporting community sport.

• 💘 Queenstown Speed Dating – The London

  Swap swiping for real smiles at Cheeky Events’ Sunday 14 September, 5:30pm - 7pm meetup for ages 26‑44. Tickets from $52.53 include a welcome drink and a series of five minute mini‑dates, with ladies seated while men rotate. Download their app beforehand and mingle afterwards to see if sparks fly. Who knows, your cheeky love story could start here!

• 🤝 Find Your Perfect Match – Queenstown Events Centre

  Looking to volunteer? Drop in between 5:30pm - 7:30pm on Thursday 11 September to speed‑date a range of local organisations and discover where your skills fit From conservation to food security, arts and youth support, you’ll meet friendly faces over light refreshments and leave with new connections. It’s part of Welcoming Communities Week, so bring your enthusiasm and curiosity.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Big Buddies Changing Young Lives

  The Whakatipu Buddy programme pairs adult mentors with children needing extra support. Buddies Beth Lyons and 13 year old Norah bond over board games, theatre visits and Kiwi Birdlife Park adventures. With 15 active pairs, organisers are calling for more volunteers ahead of training in late September, noting that simple outings and steady friendship build confidence that lasts a lifetime.

• 🌼 Daffodil Day Delivers Hope

  Daffodil Day saw locals light up Arrowtown museum in yellow and dig deep for cancer support. Eleven year old Lochie Win raised over $3,000 by conquering the summit at Coronet Peak, proving generosity has no age limit. His individual effort contributed to the wider Conquer the Summit initiative which pulled in nearly $10,000 nationwide. All funds stay in the Whakatipu to provide transport, counselling, prosthetics and other vital services for those facing cancer.

• 📖 Queenstown Writers Festival Reaches New Heights

  The Queenstown Writers Festival has cemented its position as a fixture of the Aotearoa literary circuit, with this year's seventh annual festival showcasing over 30 events featuring award-winning writers. Running October 30 - November 1, the festival features 2025 Jann Medlicott Acorn prize winner Damien Wilkins among its stellar lineup. Queenstown has been named New Zealand's second most creative city three years running, with events like this growing and enhancing the local arts scene.

Enjoy the week ahead and make the most of what’s on! 🌄