The countdown is on and tickets to all American Express Queenstown Winter Festival events are now officially on sale.
The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party is set to celebrate 36 years of winter fun from 25 June to 4 July with 10 days of totally outrageous and uniquely Queenstown events.
Out of the 60 scheduled events, 14 are ticketed and Festival Director Simon Green urges people to get in quick to avoid disappointment.
“Tickets to the ‘big four’ events - the Masquerade Ball, Jazz Night, Thriller in the Chiller and the Comedy Gala – have already been on sale for a month and the Ball and Gala are selling fast,” he says.
Favourites among the ticketed festival events are expected to be:
- High speed ice hockey action at the Queenstown Fun Centre as the Southern Stampede take on the Canterbury Red Devils on Saturday evening (26 June) and Sunday afternoon (27 June) and go up against the West Auckland Admirals on Saturday 3 July. Always a family favourite with plenty of thrills and spills. Seated: Adults $20 / child $15, Standing: Adult $15 / Child $10
- Festival hits a high note with the American Express Brunch at The Hills on Sunday 27 June. Enjoy a delicious brunch at The Hills Clubhouse to the sweet sounds of 2009 Michael Hill International Violin Competition winner Josef Spacek. Tickets are $69*.
- Another musical highlight will be the Michael Hill International Violin Competition Recital on Sunday 27 June at Memorial Hall. The audience will be treated to a stunning musical performance by violin superstar and 2009 winner of the prestigious Michael Hill International Violin Competition, 23-year old Czech Josef Spacek, who is joined by legendary New Zealand pianist Michael Houstoun. Tickets start at $10*.
- Millbrook and Brown is back by popular demand for the third year. Chef extraordinaire Al Brown is bringing his skills, experience and dry wit to this live demonstration on Monday 28 June in the beautiful surroundings of Millbrook Resort. Expect top kitchen secrets, delicious aromas, a four-course menu to taste, superbly matched with Gibbston Valley wines and an afternoon of pure enjoyment showcasing some of the finest local produce. Tickets are $129*.
- Grab a bunch of girlfriends for the Lindauer Ladies Fashion Afternoon on Monday 28 June at the American Express Ice Box and celebrate with 12 Queenstown women who have taken part in the 12 week Fitness and Fashion Challenge. There will be complimentary bubbles, fashion and gorgeous goodie bags. Tickets are $39*.
- The Russian Standard Big Chill is going to be a hot hot hot! Held in the American Express Ice Box on Friday 2 July, the party fuses the panache of Russian Standard cocktails with the beat of New Zealand’s best MCs. There’ll be cocktails on arrival followed by The Peacekeepers vs Sunshine Sound System featuring MC P Digsss (shapeshifter) DJ Sambora (shapeshifter) and Downtown Brown. There’s also an After Party at Subculture hosted by P Digsss. Tickets are $39*.
For more winter fun check out the complete festival event calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz.
Tickets for all events can be bought from TicketDirect online www.ticketdirect.co.nz, by phone 0800 224 224 (03 450 9110), in person at the Queenstown Events Centre or Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets).
* Ticket service fees apply.
