Queenstown Scene

Hello you 👋

It’s a festive, feel-good week in Queenstown, with summer evenings filling up fast and plenty of ways to lean into the Christmas buzz. Think laid-back markets, live music in the gardens, crafty sessions for kids, a few cheeky nights out, and easy outdoor moments by the lake. Whether you’re ticking off errands or slowing things right down, there’s something here to make the week feel special.

🎟️ Events This Week

• 🎄 Christmas Holiday Programme 2025 – Te Atamira

  Kids aged 5 – 12 can get crafty at Te Atamira’s holiday programme on Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December, 9:30am – 3pm. Talented educators guide young artists through festive projects in the centre’s bright studios. Tickets from $32 include all materials and heaps of festive fun. Perfect if you need some pre‑Christmas childcare.

• 🦌 Artvine Christmas Paint & Sip – Cargo Brew Hall, Arthurs Point

  Unleash your inner artist on Saturday 20 December, 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Cargo Brew Hall. Artvine provides pre‑drawn reindeer canvases, quality paints and a glass of something festive so you can relax and create a holiday masterpiece. At $50 per person, this guided session suits beginners and seasoned painters alike. Come early to sample The Cargo Collective’s craft beers and make a night of it.

• 🍷 Sip & Spin: Kinross x George FM – Kinross Winery

  George FM brings the beats to Gibbston for a laid-back afternoon of wine, music and summer vibes at Kinross. Expect a live DJ set, plenty of space to settle in with friends, and Kinross wines flowing as the sun dips behind the vines. Saturday 20 December, 2pm – 7pm, with free entry. A perfect pre-Christmas excuse to head out of town and soak it all in.

• 🎅 HO‑HO‑BINGO – LyLo Queenstown

  This isn’t your nana’s bingo! Head to LyLo’s vibrant Camp Street hostel on Friday 19 December, 6:30pm – 10pm for a Christmas‑themed bingo party with cheeky challenges, mini‑games and outrageous prizes. DJs keep the energy high while Santa himself hosts the calls. Tickets are free, but spots fill fast, so grab a chair, put on your ugliest Christmas jumper and prepare for laughter.

• 🍸 Festive Cocktail Making Night × Cardrona Distillery – Mountain Club

  Master the art of holiday cocktails on Thursday 18 December, 5:30pm - 7:30pm at Mountain Club’s cosy café. Cardrona Distillery’s mixologists will guide you through shaking and stirring seasonal drinks using their premium spirits. A $20 donation (members free) covers ingredients, and you’ll sip your creations over antipasti with new friends. A fun way to start the weekend and level‑up your home bar skills.

• 🎤 It's Christmas All Over Again – Charlotte Graf Tiny Room Concert – The Blue Door, Arrowtown
  Get into the festive spirit with Charlotte Graf and her 5-piece band Ginger & Tonic for a joyful celebration of Christmas classics and rock-infused holiday fun. Expect spirited live music (think Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty and more) with a twist of comedy as the Christmas Angel spreads cheer and mischief. Thursday 18 December, 6:30pm & 9:30pm. Tickets are $32.29.

🏔️ Local and Sponsored Picks

• ☯️ Tai Chi by the Lake – Frankton Lakefront

  Set your intentions for the week with an outdoor Tai Chi session on Sunday 21 December, 10:30am – 11:30am. Instructor Yuxin leads a gentle flow suitable for all ages, with an optional koha donation to support the. Meet opposite 8 Lake Avenue and wear layers. Afterwards, enjoy the lakeside views and maybe a coffee with fellow movers.

• 🎸 Sherwood Courtyard Sessions – Sherwood Hotel

  Ease into the weekend with the Sherwood Courtyard Sessions on Friday 19 December, happy hour 4pm – 6pm and live music 5pm – 8pm. Local musicians serenade you in the rustic garden while you sip craft brews and enjoy farm‑to‑table snacks. It’s a relaxed, free evening perfect for families, and there are picnic rugs if you’d rather stretch out under the trees.

• 🏊‍♀️ Arrowtown Memorial Pool

  Cool off this summer at the Arrowtown Memorial Pool. This much-loved community pool is now open for the season, offering a refreshing escape from the summer heat. It’s a great spot for families and individuals alike to relax and have some fun. The pool is open daily, so be sure to check their website for session times.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🏆 Bravery Awards Honour Glenorchy Rescuers

  Ten people were recognised at the New Zealand Bravery Awards on 13 December for their heroic efforts during a tragic Glenorchy drowning in 2023. Sergeant Harshad Ghodke, Susan Burke and others saved a boy and tried to rescue another swimmer in treacherous conditions. Their courage was praised by the Prime Minister, bringing pride to the Queenstown community.

• 🐣 Takahē Nest Success in Upper Whakatipu

  Great news for conservation efforts in the region, as the first takahē chicks of the season have started hatching in the Greenstone Valley. The recently released Rees Valley population has also started laying eggs, a strong sign that the habitat is supporting them well. This is a huge step towards a self-sustaining population of this iconic species.

• 🚴 New bike Trail Gets Funding Boost

  The Queenstown Trails Trust has received resource consent and a funding package to build an off‑road link between Jack’s Point and Frankton. Central Lakes Trust granted $313,000, while Park Ridge Limited contributed $100,000. The trail will provide safe commuting for residents and children, connecting communities to the wider Queenstown Trail network. Construction will begin once the remaining funds are raised.

Thanks for being part of Queenstown Scene. Have a brilliant festive week ahead! 🎄