Holiday alert: Please note that kerbside collections between 25-27 December and 1-3 January will be pushed out a day (even recyclers need a holiday). For more on Rubbish & Recycling in our district, see our dedicated webpage.

Council offices will close at midday Wednesday 24 December 2025 and reopen 8.00am Monday 5 January 2026. For urgent issues, call us on 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) or 03 443 0024 (Wānaka). For non-urgent issues, please us the Snap Send Solve App. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Community events

Quick links

New years eve

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Other big summer events

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Summerdaze

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New years eve celebrations

Lakefront New Year Celebrations

Head to the Queenstown and Wānaka lakefronts for the traditional New Year celebrations. It’s all free to enjoy!

Both events kick off with family-friendly entertainment in the afternoon followed by live music and, of course, spectacular fireworks displays at midnight. There’ll be safe zones in both towns from 29 December through to the main event thanks to the awesome efforts of Red Frogs volunteers. 

QUEENSTOWN
1.00-5.00pm Family fun at Earnslaw Park including face painting and roaming entertainers
Main Stage: EARNSLAW PARK
7.30-8.00pm Fish Pie Four
8.00-9.30pm Highland Storm
9.30-11.00pm Turtle Funk + special guest Eliott Allemand
11.00pm-1.00am CNE
DJ Stage: MARINE PARADE (MC – Davie Dubs)
9.00-10.30pm DJ Pops + Riddim Cartel
10.30-midnight DJ Cuz
Midnight-1.00am DJ Rasty
Fireworks at midnight

 

WĀNAKA
2.00-4.30pm Family fun at Dinosaur Park including face painting, roaming entertainers and games
Main Stage: ARDMORE STREET LAYBY
8.00-8.30pm Superficial
8.30-10.45pm Wānaka Project
10.45pm-1.00am The Mandates
DJ Stage: ARDMORE STREET LAYBY
9.00-11.00pm Red Frogs DJ
11.00pm-1.00am DJ Jordi
Fireworks at midnight


Please see our Scheduled Event Road Closures webpage for closures planned in both Queenstown and Wānaka.

Other big summer events

See a list of other big summer events below.

29-31 December 2025 Rhythm and Alps
3 January 2026 Glenorchy Races
3 January 2026 Wānaka Rodeo
16-25 January 2026 Queenstown Bike Fest / McGazza Fest
24 January 2026 The Valley Festival - Gibston
24 January 2026 The Ruby Swim
31 January 2026 Wānaka Summer Concert
7 February 2026 Lake Hāwea Family Fishing Classic
7 February 2026 Arrowtown Gin Festival
15 February 2026 Natural Selection Bike
19-21 February 2026 Challenge Wānaka
20-22 February 2026 Ayburn Classic - Tour d'Elegance
26 February-1 March 2026 NZ Golf Open

 

Discover Summerdaze!

Check out the vibrant series of free community events across the district! From sizzling BBQs to colour runs and delightful teddy bear picnics, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Find full event details on our Facebook Page or the Summerdaze Webpage.