EVENTSFORALLSEASONS
BeforeplanningatriptostunningsouthernNewZealand,checkoutthefantasticrangeoffun,serious,
artistic,sportingandculturaleventsonofferaroundtheSouthernLakesandCentralOtagoregions–all
easilyaccessiblefromQueenstownAirport!
WanakaRodeo–2January
Arip-roaringgoodtime,theannualWanakaRodeoisagreatdayoutforallthefamily.Seethecow-guys
andgalsoftherodeostruttheirstuffagainstLakeWanaka’sgorgeouslandscape.FromBarebackBroncto
LadiesBarrelRacingandBullRiding,thiseventisnottobemissed.LocatedattheIsuzuArena,justoff
StateHighway6ontheWanaka-HaweaHighway,theshowissituatednearthebeautifulHaweaRiverwith
stunningviewsoftheSouthernAlps.There’snothingquitelikethesettingofthisclassic,iconicevent!
www.wanakarodeo.co.nz
GlenorchyRaces–7January
HeldannuallyonthefirstSaturdayafterNewYear,GlenorchyRaceDayisatruesouthernKiwiexperience
andhasbecomeaniconiclocaleventsinceitsinceptionmorethan40yearsago.Racesrangefromthe
WalkTrotGallop,RelayRaceandhighlyentertainingDoubleBankingRacetotheOpenGallop,Quarter
MileSprintandthehotlycontestedStockman’sRace.Althoughanyonewithahorsecanregister,theraces
arenotforthefaintheartedorinexperienced-manylocalhorsetrekkingstaffandstockmen/womenenter
eachyearsothecompetitionisfierce!www.queenstownNZ.co.nz
CromwellWine&FoodFestival–2January
OnthefirstweekendofJanuarytheWine&FoodFestivalisheldinthepicturesquegroundsofCromwell
HeritagePrecinctPrecinct.ThisfestivalshowcaseswinesfromtheCromwellBasinofwhichthereareover
30vineyards.Manydonothavecellardoorsandthisfestivalisagreatopportunitytosamplethe
distinctivepinotnoir,pinotgrisandotherwinesofthishighlyacclaimedwinegrowingarea.Local‘foodies’
havestallsalongsideeachwinetastingstallandyoucansamplemanyregionaldelicaciessuchas,
whitebait,pauapatties,rabbitsausages,cheesesandmuch,muchmore.Thefestivalrunsfrom3pmtill
8pmandyoucansitbackandenjoygoodmusicfromlocalmusicians,goodfoodandgoodwineina
beautifulsettingamongsthistoricstonebuildingsontheedgeofLakeDunstansurroundedbythemajestic
hillsofCentralOtago.http://www.centralotagonz.com/
WaitiriCreekVineyardTourwithUB40–5January
UB40,featuringtheoriginalmembersAliCampbell,AstroandMickeyVirtue,willreturntoQueenstown
thissummerwiththeenormouslysuccessfulRedRedWineVineyardTour.Theoriginalline-upofUB40
withAli,AstroandMickeyenjoyedhugesuccessoveraperiodof30yearsfrom1979to2008,with#1
albums,multiplegoldandplatinumsellingalbums,Grammynominations,4worldwide#1hitsandover70
millioninsales.Nowreunitedagain,theycontinuetotaketheirsmoothyetrootsyblendaroundtheworld
andtheirliveperformancesneverfailtouplifttheaudience.www.queenstownNZ.co.nz
LakeDunstanCycleChallenge-January
TheLakeDunstanCycleChallengeisa96kmsealedroadcircuit,generallyflat,fromCromwellaroundLake
DunstanpassingthroughNorthburn,Tarras,Luggate,Queensberry,LowburnandbacktoCromwell.The
CycleChallengeformspartoftheactionpackedCromwellSummerSeriesthatcomprisesthisevent
plustwoMTBrides,atriathlonandahalfmarathon.Entriesandmoreinformationavailableclosertothe
event.http://www.centralotagonz.com/
LakeHayesA&PShow–14January
The102ndannualLakeHayesA&PShowisa fun day out for the family, exhibitors and competitors on one of
the most beautiful Showgrounds in the country. Asurefirefamily-pleasergivingvisitorsatasteofrurallife
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andthechancetominglewithlocalsontheirhometurf.It’saninteractivedayforallthefamilywith
entertainment,sheepshearing,sideshows,bakingandcountryfaircandyfloss.www.lakehayesshow.com
GibbstonValleyWineryConcert-21January
Withacareerspanningfourdecadesandthatdistinctivevoice,BonnieTylerwillplayallherhitsincluding;
“TotalEclipseOfTheHeart”“It’saHeartache”and“HoldingOutForaHero”.TylerwillbejoinedbyAlan
ParsonsLiveProjectwhohad196weeksintheNZTop40withsongsincluding;“EyeInTheSky”“Games
PeoplePlay”“DamnedIfIDo”“Don’tAnswerMe”“IWouldn’tWantToBeLikeYou”andmore.ICEHOUSE
topthebillandtaketothestagearound5pm.Sellingamassive28platinumalbumsand377weeksinthe
NZTop40includingsongs;“HeyLittleGirl”“ElectricBlue”“WeCanGetTogether”“Can’tHelpMyself”and
ofcourse“GreatSouthernLand”.http://www.gibbstonvalley.com/nz/experience/summer-concerts
RedBullDefiance–21and22January
RedBullDefianceisauniqueraceformatthatcombinesrunning,kayakandmountainbikeendurance
disciplines,withthecreativeelementofundisclosedspecialstages.DesignedbyBradenCurrie,New
Zealand’sforemostadventureandmultisportracer,thecoursehasbeendesignedtotestathletesovertwo
challengingdays,racingalongsidetheworlds’bestmultisportandenduranceathletes.Atwo-personteam
race,thecoursewillseeathletescompetingover8exclusivehighcountrystationsintheWanakaregionin
eithereliteorsportscategorydivisions.RedBullDefiancewillchallengebothmentallyandphysicallya
fieldoflocalandinternationalcompetitors.http://redbulldefiance.co.nz/
TheBigEasy–28January
Callingallmountainbikers!TheBigEasyisn’taseasyasitsnamemaysuggest,butitcertainlyisbigfun!
48kmsofruggedterrainacrossthePisaRangesofCardronaanddownhilltohistoricLuggate,througha
stockunderpassandcrosscountrytotheAlbertTownTavern,thisracecoversavastlandscapeoffierce
beautyandisthemostfunyoucanhavewhilstcompeting.StartingatSnowFarminthestunningCardrona
Valleyonly20minutes’drivefromWanaka,passingrightbytheiconicLuggateHotelandendingat
riversideAlbertTownTavern,thisisagreateventforspectatorsandsupportersaswell.Newfor2017isan
UltraEasyRelayCategoryconsistingoffivelegs.
www.highlandevents.co.nz/the-big-easy
FatFreddy’sDrop-QueenstownEventsCentreOval-5February(Waitangiweekend)
Returning again, Fat Freddy’s Drop will play two headline shows only this summer bringing the band’s high
octane soul to Auckland and Queenstown. In Queenstown, the John Davies Oval located at the Queenstown
Events Centre, is the spectacular setting for Freddy's concert. ChilloutintheCentralOtagosunandwine
andsoakuptheiruniquesoundwhichcombinesdub,reggae,soul,jazz,rhythmandblues,andtechno.
http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/fat-freddys-drop/queenstown/tickets
ThePioneerMTB–5-11February
ThePioneerisanaweinspiringseven-daymountainbikestageracethroughNewZealand’spristine
SouthernAlps.RidersracethroughtheAlpsfromChristchurchthroughanamazing549kmofriding,with
15,824mofclimbingthroughsomeofthemoststunningpartsoftheworldyouwilleverridethrough.
www.thepioneer.co.nz
ChallengeWanaka–18February
Oneoftheworld’stoughestandmostsceniclongdistanceswim-bike-runtriathloncourses,Challenge
Wanakaisafavouritewithlocalteamsandinternationalstarsaliketakingonthehalforfullironman
distance.SetagainstthestunningalpinebackdropofNewZealand’sSouthernAlpsandMtAspiring
NationalPark-TeWahipounamuWorldHeritageArea-thisisNewZealand’slargesttriathlonfestival.
EventsareincludedforallagesandabilitiesandLakeWanakacatersforover2,000participants,10,000
spectatorsandaglobalaudienceofmillions.www.challenge-wanaka.com
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GODZone–Queenstownandsurroundingareas–25February-4March
Chapter6ofGODZonewillbeheldinthewiderSouthernLakesDistrictwithactivitiesbeingfocused
aroundtheadventurecapitaloftheworld,Queenstown.GODZOneistheultimateexpeditionadventure
racingexperience.Theeventformatisthesameusedatthe5previousChaptersofGODZone–with
unsupportedteamstravellingapproximately500kmacrossNewZealand’swildernessforuptosevendays.
GZPurerepresentsthemosttechnicallychallengingadventureraceintheworld.TheGZPursuitevent
takestheexistingGODZoneconceptandmakessomesubtlechangesthatcreatesanexcitingnew
racingexperienceandopensthedoortoawiderrangeofexpeditionadventureracers.
www.godzoneadventure.com
RailTrailDuathlon&MountainBikeRace–25and26February
SinceFebruary2000,theannual150kmOtagoCentralRailTrailDuathlonhasbeenonthelastweekendof
February.2017isthe18thanniversaryofthelegendaryOtagoCentralRailTrailDuathlon.Theeventis
organisedandmanagedbytheCombinedLionsClubsofCentralOtagowhoholdalicencefromDOC.The
OCRTDuathlonisanon-profiteventwithallofficialsworkinginavoluntarycapacity.Anysurplusfromeach
yearseventiscommittedthroughtheCombinedCentralOtagoLionsClubstoprojectsassociatedwiththe
OtagoCentralRailTrail,tomaintain,developandpromotethisuniquerecreationalfacility.
http://www.centralotagonz.com/central-otago-a-world-of-difference/x,76,2,1,308,,/rail-trail-duathlonmountain-bike-race.html
MotatapuOff-RoadAdventureRace–4March
TheMotatapuisNewZealand’spremiermountainbikeandoff-roadrunningeventwhichstartsinLake
WanakaandtakescompetitorsdeepintothestunningwildernessoftheMotatapuValleydowninto
Arrowtown.Fromrecreationalrunners,ridersandwalkerstoeliteathletes,theMotatapuoffersa
challengeforeveryonewitha47kmMountainBike,42kmOffRoadMarathon,49kmAdventureRunor
15kmMiner'sTrail–allthroughthemagnificentlandscapesoftheMotatapuanditssurroundingvalleys.
www.motatapu.org.nz
ISPSHandaNewZealandGolfOpen–9-12March
TheNZGolfOpenisheldattwospectaculargolfcoursesnearArrowtown-MillbrookResortandTheHills.
TheNewZealandOpenincorporatesauniquePro-Amformatthatbringstogetheraprestigiousblendof
ProfessionalandAmateurgolfers.TheNewZealandOpenisthecountry’spremiergolfevent,aswellasa
tieroneeventonthePGATourofAustralasia.Ticketsforthepublicgoonsale25thNovember.The
tournamentisplayedacrosstwocourseswithaminimumfieldof144professionalgolfersplaying
alongside144amateurgolfers.
www.nzopen.co.nz<http://www.nzopen.co.nz/>
WanakaA&PShow–10and11March
TheWanakaA&PShowisoneofNewZealand’slargestagriculturalandpastoralevents,attractingmore
than35,000peopleeachyear.RunovertwodaysandsetonpicturesqueShowgroundsoverlookingLake
Wanaka,theShowincludestraditionalfeaturessuchasequestrianandlivestockevents,homeindustry
displays,woolclassingandmorethan400tradestallsfromaroundthecountry.HomeoftheBeef+Lamb
NZGoldenLambAwards,akatheGlammies.www.wanakashow.co.nz
GibbstonWineandFoodFestival–18March
Foodandwineloverscansamplethe‘bestofthebest’attheannualGibbstonWineandFoodFestival,a
harvestcelebrationwhichshowcasesthefamouswinemakingregion’sfinestwines,winecelebrities,local
produceandtalentedchefs.Learnhowwineandfoodcanenhanceeachotheratmasterclassesrunby
industryleaders,trygrapestomping,orsimplysitback,relaxandenjoythestunningwine,foodandlineup
ofentertainmentonoffer.TheeventisheldatQueenstownGardens.Earlybirdticketsonsalefrom
September2016viawww.gibbstonwineandfood.co.nz
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MountainBikeNationalChampionships–19and20March
TheMountainbikeNationalChampionshipsisNewZealand’spremiernationalmountainbikeevent,
attractingNewZealand’stopcrosscountryanddownhillmountainbikers.Theeventisanopportunityto
showcasemountainbike,whichaidsthegrowthofNewZealand’scyclingculture.
Theeventincludestwodaysofintenseracingformen'sandwomen'sElite,U23,U19,Masters,Seniors,
U17,U15andU13grades,inbothcrosscountryanddownhilldisciplines.
http://www.bikewanaka.org.nz/events
HighlandsFestivalofSpeed–25and26March
TheHighlandsFestivalofSpeedisaweekendpackedwithsomeofthebestmodernclassicracingyouwill
seeinNewZealand.FeaturingthePre65Racing,MainlandMuscleandmoreclassiccategories,thisisa
weekendoftrueblueKiwiracingstarringsomeofNewZealand'smostwell-knownracinglegends.Thiswill
bethefourthFestivalofSpeedatHighlandsandaswellastheracingaction,thereislotstoplease
everyone.Addingreatkids’activities,fantasticfoodandrefreshmentstalls,freegridwalks,freebusesto
andfromCromwell,aswellastheJurassicSafariParkandadventureplayground,andyou’vegotone
spectacularweekendofentertainmentatHighlands,whichisgreatvalueforthewholefamily!
www.highlands.co.nz
QueenstownBikeFestival–8-22April
GrabyourbikeandhelmetandheadtoQueenstowntheQueenstownBikeFestival.It’sanexciting13-day
eventforallagesandabilitiesanditgivesyouthechancetocheckoutQueenstown’sworld-classcycle
tracks,trails,roadsandspectacularlakeandalpinescenery.
Whetheryou’reabikingnovice,recreationalcyclistorseriousbikerthere’splentyofaction.Eventsrange
fromthespectacularSlopestyle,MegaAvalancheandDirtmastersDownhilltotheTourdeWakatipu,kids’
minicross,CoffeetoGrapewinetrailride,andbikemoviesandparties.
www.queenstownbikefestival.co.nz
FestivalofColour2017(biennial)4-9April
TheSouthernLakesFestivalofColourisanexcitingbiennialcelebrationofthearts.Sixexcitingdaysand
nightsofastoundingperformancesandinspiringexhibitionssetagainstthespectacularautumnalbackdrop
oftheSouthernLakes.TheFestivalisbasedinWanakabutreachesouttothewiderregion–to
Queenstown,Luggate,HaweaandCromwell.Thenextfestivalwilltakeplace4to9April2017andwill
featuretopclasstheatre,music,danceandvisualartsfromlocal,nationalandinternationalperformers.
TheprogrammewillbereleasedonThursdayFebruary9th2017andpriorityticketsaleswillstartfrom
7pmonthe9th.http://www.festivalofcolour.co.nz/
ClydeWineandFoodHarvestFestival–16April(EasterSunday)
ThefestivalisCentralOtago’sbiggestcelebrationoflocallyproducedwinesandisheldeveryyearon
EasterSundayjustbeforethemajorgrapeharvest.Fromhumblebeginningswhenaboutfivewineries
tookpart,thefestivalhasgrownovertheyearswithmorethan20wineproducersnowofferingwines
fromtheworld’smostsoutherlyvineyards.LeadingthewinesisPinotNoir,thewinethatputCentralOtago
ontheworldwinemapandwithmorethan20winelabelsatthefestivalthereisagreatopportunityto
tastethesubtledifferenceswhichvaryaccordingtogrowingconditions-whattheFrenchcallterroir.
Therearealsootherwinevarietiesavailable.Thefestivalalsoincludesafoodproduceandgeneralmarket,
livemusic,children’sentertainment,andanartexhibition.Itstartsat11amandendsat
5pm.http://www.centralotagonz.com/events/clyde-wine-and-food-festival
TheRouteburnClassic–21April
TheRouteburnClassicisan‘adventurerun’overNewZealand’sworldfamousRouteburnTrack.Stagedin
lateAprilitisanexclusiveeventandlimitedto350luckyathletes.Thetrackis32Kilometerslongand
climbsto1127metersabovesealevel.SetinaNewZealandNationalParkandinsideaWorldHeritage
AreainFiordlandonthesouthwestofNewZealand’sSouthIsland.Theeventencompasseschanging
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terrainfromlushnativebushtoanexposedalpineenvironment.
http://goodtimesevents.net/events/routeburn/
LakeHaweaContactEpic–22April
ThelongestandmostscenicmountainbikeraceinNewZealand,theContactEpicisaptlynamedindeed!
OnceayearpassionatemountainbikersdescenduponWanakaandLakeHaweatotesttheirskills,
enduranceanddaringattheContactEpic.Newfor2017istheCenturion100MilesofEPIC(160kmcourse)
combiningallthreecoursesrolledintoone.Notforthefainthearted,thisracestartsbeforedarkat
5.30am.Nofrills,oldschool,noexcuses,theContactEpictakesmountainbikersona125kmadventureto
circumnavigateLakeHaweathroughusuallyinaccessiblelocationsthatblowthemindandchallengethe
spirit.Ifthat’stootoughthereareeasier95kmand35kmoptionsavailable.www.lakehaweaepic.co.nz
AkaruaArrowtownAutumnFestival–20-25April
TheArrowtownAutumnFestivalprovidesasuperbreasontogetoutandenjoytheslowingpaceofautumn
andthemagnificentcoloursoftheseason.Timedtocoincidewiththechangingofthecolours,andalso
ANZACweekend,theregionfocusesonitsgoldmininghistoryandcelebratesitsheritageinthestreetsof
Arrowtownwithastreetparadeandaprogrammeofcommunity-basedevents.
www.arrowtownautumnfestival.org.nz
WanakaAutumnArtsSchool–DatesTBCApril
Diverse,creativeandimaginative,theannualWanakaAutumnArtsSchooldevelopsskillsinallareasofthe
arts.Withclassesinphotography,writing,sculpture,quiltmaking,woodcarving,bookmaking,painting,
drawing,textilesandmanymore,theschoolbringstogethercreativemindsfromallovertheworldto
teach,learnandshareagainstthemagnificentgoldenbackdropofaclassicallybreath-takingLakeWanaka
autumn.www.autumnartschool.net.nz
LUMASouthernLightProject-2-5June
AfterthousandswerestunnedbytheinauguralLUMAlightfestivalandeventsin2016,LUMAreturnsto
Queenstown.LightingupinunexpectedplacesandaddingasplashofmagictotheQueenstownGardens,
LUMAfeaturesawiderangeoflight-themedart,lightinstallations,interactiveactivitiesandevenapop-up
barandopen-aircinema.luma.nz
Skifielddates(subjecttoweatherconditions)andon-mountainevents–datesTBC
Thefiveskiareasaroundtheregionhostavarietyofon-mountaineventsduringwinter.Foreventdetails
refertotheirwebsites.
CoronetPeakscheduled11June–2Octoberwww.nzski.com
TheRemarkablesscheduled18June–25Septemberwww.nzski.com
Cardronascheduled11June-9Octoberwww.cardrona.com
TrebleConescheduled23June–2Octoberwww.treblecone.com
SnowFarm(cross-countryskiingandsnowshoeing)scheduledTBCwww.snowfarmnz.com
QueenstownWinterFestival–22–25June
VisitQueenstownattheendofJuneandexperiencetheelectricatmosphereofthetown’sannual
AmericanExpressQueenstownWinterFestival!Tensofthousandsoflocalsandvisitorscometogether
alongthewaterfronteachyearfortheiconicopeningnightpartyandfireworksdisplaytomarkthestartof
NewZealand’stencoolestdays.
WinterFestivalhasgrownintotheSouthernHemisphere’sbiggestwintercelebrationandisatrue
showcaseofQueenstown'suniquecultureandcommunity,withstreetparades,fireworks,entertainment,
livemusic,comedy,loadsoffamilyfun,andplentyofmountainmayhem.Itattractsmorethan45,000
peoplefromaroundtheworldwhocometocelebratethearrivalofwinterintrueQueenstownstyle.
www.winterfestival.co.nz
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NZMountainFilmFestival–30June–9July
NationalandinternationalfilmmakerscometogethertoshowcasetheirworkinthehighlyacclaimedNZ
MountainFilmFestival.HeldinWanakaJune30th–July9th,CromwellJuly5thandQueenstownJul6th-8th,
thefestivalisrecognisedasoneoftheworld’spremiermountainfilmfestivalevents.Filmsthatdowell
hereoftengoontosucceedinotherinternationalfilmfestivalssuchasBanffMountainFilmFestival,
SundanceMountainFilmFestival,KendalMountainFilmFestivalandVancouverMountainFilmFestival.
www.mountainfilm.net.nz
PeaktoPeak–TBCinAugust
Ski/Snowboard-mountainbike-kayak-run/walk-roadbikeallonthesameday!Queenstown’sfamous
PeaktoPeakthatlinksthetwoskimountainsinQueenstownistheSouthIsland’sbiggestwintermultisport
eventandattractsmultisportcompetitorsfromaroundNewZealand.Thehotlycontestedraceis44km
longandcompetitorsmustski,mountainbike,paddle,run,androadbikefromthetopofTheRemarkables
tothetopofCoronetPeak.Competitorsincludeindividuals,veterans,mixedteams,corporategroupsand
schoolteams.www.southerntraverse.com/Peak2Peak
AudiquattroWinterGamesNZ–25August–10September
ThefifthAudiquattroWinterGamesNZtakeplaceinNewZealand’sSouthernAlpsfrom25Augustto10
September2017.WinterOlympic,ParalympicandXGamesstarsareheadingtoQueenstown,Wanakaand
Nasebyonceagainforthefirstmajorchampionshipsoftheseason.Fieldswillbestackedwithtopathletes
desperatetograbearlyqualificationpointsforthe2018OlympicWinterGamesinKorea.Audiquattro
WinterGamesNZareoneoftheworld’stopwintersportscompetitionsandtheonlyoneinthesouthern
hemisphere.They'realsoNewZealand’slargestrecurringsportsevent.Freetowatch,thisisyourchance
toseetheworld’sbestcompeteforgloryinfreeskiing,snowboarding,alpineskiracing,cross-country
skiingandcurling.Thenenjoyouron-mountainWGNZmusicfestivalfeaturingsomeofNZ’stoplivebands
andDJs.
GaySkiWeek–August/SeptemberDatesTBC
HundredsofrevellerscomefromaroundtheworldforGaySkiWeek,theSouthernHemisphere'sbiggest
gayalpinecelebration.Theweek-longextravaganzafeaturesplentyofoutrageousfunfromgourmet
dining,dancing,andcabaretshowstoon-mountainactionandadventureactivities.
www.gayskiweekqt.com
MerinoMuster–3September
SnowFarm’sheadlineeventofeveryseason–theMerinoMusterdrawsnationalandinternational
competitorstoLakeWanakaandtheCardronaValleyforNewZealand’shighcross-countryskiadventure.
Fromabsolutebeginnerstotheelitenationalteam,competitorsrevelinthenaturallysculptedback
countryofSnowFarmforbothitsstunningbeautyanditschallengingandexhilaratingtrails.
Forthemorerelaxedathletethereisthe7kmcoursearoundMerinoGlenwhichmostpeoplemanageon
theirfirstdayofnordicskiing.The21kmcoursetravelsaroundMerinoGlenandthenoutaroundRiver
RunandbackonTheLoop.Fortheexperiencedcrosscountryskierthereisthe42kmMarathonwhich
coversthe21kmcourseandthenheadsoutthroughHangingValleyandthenbackaroundtheLoopfora
secondtime.www.merinomuster.com
DeansBank10hourChallenge-22October2017
Yourchallenge–inteamsorasanindividualrideWanaka’sDeansBankmountainbikingtrackasmany
timesasyoucanin10hours.Afulldayoffunforbothridersandspectators,thisisacompetitionthat
formsbonds,testsskillandchallengesriderstopushthemselvesonapurposebuiltmountain12kmloop
track.Racetheflowingsingletrackflushwithbanks,berms,humpsandhollows–gohard,havefun!
http://www.bikewanaka.org.nz/events
AlexandraBlossomFestival–23September-9October
TheCentralOtagotownofAlexandrashinesinspringweatherwithblossom-linedstreetsandorchardsin
fullbloom.
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TheAlexandraBlossomFestivalisfulloffunandentertainmentwitheventsliketheRaceAroundtheClock
—adrenalin-chargedcompetitorsrun,swim,kayak,ridehorsesorpedalmountainbikestoconquerthe
steepterrainandicyriverwhichmakesupthecoursetoAlexandra’sunique,illuminatedclockonthehill.
ThefestivalincludesotherlocalhighlightssuchasTheGrandProcession,completewithstrikingly
decoratedfloatsandFloatPrincesseswhoeachvieforthetitleofFestivalQueenandtheMardiGras,Party
inthePark,"Thunder"Sunday(dragracing),GardenToursandWoolOn-acreativefashionanddesign
competitionfeaturingtheuseofhighqualitylocalwoolingarmentsrangingfromfeltedaccessoriesto
glamorousgowns.www.blossom.co.nz
QueenstownJazzFest–21-24October(LabourWeekend)
JazzFesthasgrownfromhumblebeginningsbackin1978tobecomeoneofQueenstown'smostpopular
musicevents.Enjoytheworld-classline-upofinternational,nationalandlocalartistswhoshowcasetheir
talentsacrossallgenresofjazzastheytakepartinover40differentfreeeventsandticketedconcerts
aroundQueenstownandArrowtownoncommunitystagesandatofficialJazzFestvenues.Fromsmooth
bluestobigbandswing,dixielandtofunkbands,traditionaljazztogroundbreakingcontemporary
concepts,thereissomethingforeveryone,youngandold.www.queenstownjazzfest.co.nz
Highlands101–TBCMidNovember
Thisisthemust-attendmotorracingeventoftheyear-aweekendoffull-onhighadrenalineactionwith
bignamedriversinhighperformanceracecarsconvergingonNewZealand’sonlyworldclassmotorracing
facilitynearCromwell.
TheeventseesthefinaloftheAustralianGTChampionshipplayedoutrighthereinNZwithaline-upof
carsincludingLamborghinis,Ferraris,AstonMartins–thelistgoeson.
ThefeatureraceoftheweekendistheHighlands101,anenduranceracethatwillseethefastestcarsand
driversfromtheweekendbattlingitoutover101lapsofHighlands4kmcircuit.Alreadythe101hasmade
anameforitself,withitstakeonthefamousLeMansstart,compulsorypitstopsandgridwalksforthe
fans.Thisistheeventofalifetimesetinasensationallocation.www.highlands.co.nz
QueenstownMarathon–TBCLikely18November
Aninternationalrunningfestivalincorporating42km,21km,10kmand3kmkidsrunoptions.Setbetween
thebackdropoftheworldrenownedCrownandRemarkablemountainranges,ittakesinthehighlightsof
theQueenstownLakesregionincludingMillbrookResort,Arrowtown,LakesHayes,ShotoverRiver,Lake
Wakatipu,QueenstownGardensandfinishesintheheartofQueenstown.www.queenstownmarathon.co.nz
KeplerChallenge–TBCearlyDecember
Notforthefainthearted,theKeplerChallengeMountainRunisNewZealand’spremiermountainrunning
eventwhichfollowsthe60kmKeplerTrack(ratedoneofthecountry’stopwalks)throughtheFiordland
NationalPark.Theracehasbeenheldannuallysince1988,anddrawscompetitorsfromthroughoutNew
Zealandandaroundtheworld.Around450runnersentertheeventwithnearlyallcompletingthe
demandingcourse.
Theconcurrent27kmLuxmoreGrunteventfollowsthesamerouteasfarastheLuxmoreHut,thenreturns
viathesameroutebacktotheControlGates.www.keplerchallenge.co.nz
ArrowtownLongLunch–EarlyDecember
ThehistoricgoldminingvillageofArrowtownwillcelebratethestartofsummerwithitsannualArrowtown
LongLunch.Alongwithlivemusicandentertainment,tablesfeaturingdifferentlythemedcuisineoflocal
cafesandrestaurantswillspanthelengthofArrowtown’spicturesquemainstreetfordinerstoenjoy
alfrescodiningatitsbest.Profitsfromeachyear’seventaredonatedtoacharity.
www.arrowtownlonglunch.co.nz
RhythmandAlps–30-31December
RhythmandAlps,oneofthebiggestpartiesintheSouthIsland,isheldatRobrosaStationintheCardrona
ValleyandisthesisteracttoGisborne'sRhythmandVinesextravaganza.Thefestivalisbasedina
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spectacularsettingbetweenCardronaSkiResortandthePisaPlateauandcatersforupto5,000campers.
Theline-upfeaturessomegreatinternationalandKiwiacts.www.rhythmandalps.co.nz
NewYear’sEveCelebrations–31December
NewYear’sEvegoesoffwithabangaroundtheregionwithspectacularlakesidefireworksdisplays,live
musicandentertainmentinthestreets.RingintheNewYearattheQueenstownlakefront,Wanaka
lakefront,LakeHaweaHotelorTheBrandingcountrymusicfestival.
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