BOOM! And like that American Express Queenstown Winter Festival is here again. I’ve been here for ten now and every year I wonder where Autumn went to? I think I saw it getting on a plane to the Maldives, but that could have been Summer. This year there’s been a bit of a change around, some of the old favourites are still there but there’s been a hefty bit of room made (like the big sofa you need after Christmas dinner) for some new treats. My my my Queenstown Winter Festival what a big girl you’ve grown into.
I always have my favourites, like the DB Export dog barking competition (I need to find a dog) and getting my hashtag correct #winterstartshere but I have picked a few delights that are new this year and I’m certainly going to have my front row seat. I like my Winter festival organised and so should you. Listen to me, I know what I’m talking about.
So, for you I’ve picked my favourite five on the list. Are you ready? Got a mulled wine? Then here we go:
Last year I took part in some of the events (no not the dog barking)Macpac Pecha Kucha was on my list and I surprisingly was asked to participate. As in be one of the speakers. I know I know I’m not the biggest advocate for being cold and loving Winter and all that so that’s why my talk was called ‘I hate Winter’. This year thankfully I get to sit back and relax but you have to see it to believe it. Twenty slides and twenty seconds per slide. Now I talk alot so if I can do it so should the people performing this year, the likes of Bare Kiwi, the legend Tom Lynch and beautiful photographer Jason Charles Hill.
The American Express Comedy Debate on Saturday night is set to be a fun filled action packed event. With certain controversial questions such as “should New Zealand should become a state of Australia?” You know there will be jeering, whooping and much cock-a-hoop. Have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about? Then you totally need to get to this and give it your all. A tip top line up on the panel who will be debating back and forth until you decide on winner.
Get involved: Events – IHeartRadio Day on the Bay , UE Dodgeball Championships, GoPro Mountain Bike’s on snow! A absolute plethora (yes it’s a word) of free events downtown to get your fired up. Have an absolute burning desire to show everyone your inner dodgeball champion? Get a team together. Never previously unleashed your snow mountain bike career? This is the time. Want to jump into the lake with hardly any clothes on (no booze involved) then this is the time for you. I believe in you. And so does the rest of town. They all think you’re totally bonkers but wheeeeee it’s Winter!
World Social Media Bonfire & BBQ Instameet. Don’t know your twitter from your fantail? Have an absolute obsession with Trey Ratcliff? Then this is an absolute must for your lot out there either wanting to know more about social media (and just how important it is) or are on every form of social media in the world and want to talk about it all afternoon. There will be a bbq, there will be boating, there will be ‘influencers’. Don’t understand what I’m talking about? Then you definitely need to come. See you there!
Mid Winter Wakatipu. If you’re an ex-pat (and even if you’re not) and know that Christmas dinner just isn’t quite right when the sun’s shining (and don’t get me wrong, I LOVE IT) then this is the night for you. Even if you’ve ever wondered how it feels eating a gorgeous turkey dinner when it’s a Winter wonderland outside, you’ve found your event. And what makes it even more exciting? While you’re stuffing your chops full of gorgeous food and wine you’re raising money for the Wakatipu Youth Trust at the auction during the evening. Some would say that’s the perfect combination.
Get everything you need to know about Queenstown Winter Festival here! And I’ll see you at the Atomic Caravan in town 8am sharp!
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