Queenstown Scene

Hello you 👋

From a Rainbow Run that will coat Frankton’s waterfront in bright colour to a natural wine festival at Sherwood, this week’s line‑up celebrates the playful side of Queenstown. Expect belly laughs at an Irish/Scottish comedy night, sing‑along nostalgia at an ABBA party, and a decadent long‑table feast at Amisfield. With creative theatre showcases, colour‑soaked fun runs and themed trivia, it’s the perfect mix of outdoorsy fun and cosy evenings.

🎟️ Events This Week

• 😂 Booze & Craic: A Night of Irish & Scottish Comedy – 1876

  On Thursday 20 November, 7:30pm – 9:15pm Celtic humour takes over 1876. Irish funnyman Alan McElroy joins Scottish and Irish comics for an R18 evening packed with jokes and tales. Tickets are $24.55 and selling fast. Grab a pint of Guinness, settle in and prepare to belly‑laugh with friends.

• 🍷 WINEwood Wine Festival 2025 – Sherwood

  Natural wine lovers rejoice! On Saturday 22 November, 2pm – 5pm, Sherwood hosts twenty producers pouring new‑wave wines. The $55 ticket includes tastings and live acoustic sets. Pair your sip with wood‑fired bites and soak up the relaxed garden vibes overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

• 🍖 Barrel & the Beast – Amisfield Restaurant & Cellar

  Feast like royalty on Tuesday 25 November, 6:30pm – 9:30pm at Amisfield’s one‑off dining event. For $120, enjoy whole lamb roasted over an open fire, seasonal dishes and limited‑release wines. Winemakers will share stories under the stars. Spaces are limited; book early for this decadent night out.

• 💃 Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! A Mamma Mia Party – Yonder

  Yonder turns into an ABBA haven on Friday 21 November from 9:30pm. DJs spin disco hits and musical‑theatre favourites, and themed cocktails flow all night. Final‑release tickets are $22.75 and fancy dress is encouraged. Gather your dancing queens and sing along to every chorus!

• 👾 Trivia Night – Stranger Things Recap Quiz – Searchlight Brewery

  Head to Arthurs Point for a night in the Upside Down as Searchlight’s themed trivia returns with a Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 recap quiz on Thursday 20 November, 7pm – 9:30pm. Entry is free, but bookings are essential, so lock in your team early. Dress up, grab a craft beer and chase those bragging rights.

• 🌿 Green Drinks: A Taste of Hope – Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

  Sit down to a three-course, locally inspired fundraiser dinner on Thursday 20 November, 6pm – 10pm at Wakatipu Grill. Expect regenerative lamb, wild venison, rescued ingredients and a welcome drink, plus a silent auction. Tickets are $119 and support KiwiHarvest and Sustainable Queenstown’s food-resilience work.

• 🎭 Lakes Theatre Arts presents “LTA Café” – Queenstown Memorial Centre

  Local dancers, singers and actors share a playful showcase on Saturday 22 November and Sunday 23 November, 3:30pm - 6pm. This family‑friendly performance blends jazz, ballet and musical theatre. Tickets $25 support Lakes Theatre Arts students. Expect heartfelt choreography, vintage café vibes and lots of applause.

🏔️ Local and Sponsored Picks

•  🌈 Queenstown Rainbow Run – Frankton Recreation Reserve

  Expect a burst of colour at Frankton Recreation Reserve on Saturday 22 November, 11am as the 3km Rainbow Run hits Queenstown. Walk or run through five colour checkpoints and turn your white or black outfit into a work of art with food-grade powder. A fun, family-friendly celebration of community, wellbeing and active living.

• 🧱 LEGO Club – Frankton Library

  Budding builders, this one’s for you. Head to Frankton Library’s LEGO® Club on Wednesday 19 November, 3:30pm – 4:30pm for an hour of free-play building, wild imaginations and friendly chats with other brick fans. It’s free, but bookings are essential – email [email protected] to secure a spot.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🏃‍♂️ Queenstown Marathon Records Smashed

  The 2025 NZ Sotheby’s Queenstown Marathon on 14 November saw Auckland triathlete Jack Moody and Czech runner Bara Styblova shatter the men’s and women’s course records. Moody finished in 2 hours 25 minutes 02 seconds, while Styblova crossed in 2 hours 48 minutes 31 seconds. More than 13,000 participants tackled various distances, filling town with energy and proving Queenstown’s marathon is still the most scenic in the world.

• 🧹 Queenstown Bay Gets a Tidy Up

  Locals and visitors to Queenstown Bay will notice it's looking a bit tidier, thanks to the QLDC. Council contractors began removing a large amount of driftwood from the beach on 11 November, improving the area's safety and aesthetics just in time for summer. It's great to see our stunning waterfront and public spaces getting some love.

• 🪂 iFLY Queenstown Soars with Double Win

  Indoor skydiving hub iFLY Queenstown was recognised with two major accolades at the recent business awards. The team won the Excellence in Community Contribution award and the special Air New Zealand 'Going Places' Award, celebrating their positive community impact and impressive growth. Ka mau te wehi!

Thanks for reading! Here’s to a week full of little moments that make you smile big 😄