How To Spend Christmas in Queenstown, New Zealand

Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree | © Pixabay
Thalita Alves

Queenstown’s popularity is not confined to the cool winter months. If you’re planning to visit this epic resort town around the Christmas period, there are plenty of attractions that will get you relishing the cheerful New Zealand summer days. Here’s how you can spend the holidays in the best possible manner.

Loved by over 40s

Visit the Arrowtown Christmas Market

This is one of the first Christmas-themed celebrations to reach Queenstown’s surrounds. For those unfamiliar with Arrowtown, it is a former gold mining village just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown – its proximity has made it quite a good place for a day trip. Every year Arrowtown Plunket hosts a Christmas Market fundraiser, with stalls filled with handcrafted items of all sorts – from clothes and jewellery to homewares and acessories. The market will be held on Nov 19 2017 – a gold coin donation is all that’s asked for admission.

Christmas Cookies

Watch The Shotover Jet Christmas Show

Watch The Shotover Jet Christmas Show

If you’re looking for something local, this family-friendly, community-driven extravaganza will be one of the first to welcome the silly season. Two shows, featuring various performances from local singers, dancers, and actors alike, is set to dazzle the crowds who enter the Queenstown Events Centre on Dec 3. Ticket prices range between NZ$5-$35, with free admission for kids under five. Head to the show’s official Facebook page for more information.

Queenstown Events Centre, Joe O’connell Dr, Frankton, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand

Passing through Wanaka? Check out Santa’s Grotto

Wanaka is another must-visit for those wanting to venture outside of Queenstown for a day or two. For the past three years, the community has hosted a charitable Santa’s Grotto event that encourages everyone to unleash their inner child. Market stalls, Santa appearances plus a number of fun-filled family events are some of the key highlights of this celebration. Santa’s Grotto will be open for the first weeks of December and tickets are around NZ$5 per person.

(By the way, if you’re looking for something similar close to town, Queenstown’s Minus 5º Ice Bar has been hosting their own Santa’s Grotto fundraiser over the last five years. No dates for 2017 have been announced at this point, so keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out if/when the next event will be happening)

Santa Claus Decoration

Have a Christmas feast at the Skyline Gondola

Have a Christmas feast at the Skyline Gondola

The Skyline Gondola’s Stratosfare Restaurant will host a special lunch and dinner on Christmas Day and New Years’ Eve. For the former, expect plenty of live music, a delectable traditional buffet, plus a scenic Gondola ride, two luge sessions and a visit from Santa himself. Prices are NZ$158 for adults and NZ$72 for children. Advanced bookings are essential.

Brecon St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Alternatively, have a lavish Christmas meal at the Hilton

Resort, Hotel

Alternatively, have a lavish Christmas meal at the Hilton

If you’re wanting to splash out on some festive fine dining, the Hilton is the place to go. In 2017, the luxurious venue will bring its patrons a two-hour Christmas BBQ lunch or a three-course meal at the hotel’s Wakatipu Grill, plus five-course dinner offerings on both Christmas and New Years’ eve. Again, reservations are an absolute must to avoid disappointment.
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa, New Zealand

Go on a Christmas adventure

Queenstown is one of the few places in New Zealand that doesn’t fully ‘shut down’ on Christmas Day. Many of the popular thrill-seeking attractions will still be operating, albeit for a limited time. It’s also worth noting that some bars and restaurants will remain open too – just keep in mind that you may get hit with a holiday surcharge on your orders. But for the adventure seekers, this is the time to get a summer adrenaline rush – activities to put on your to-do list include kayaking, jet boating and rafting through the Skippers Canyon rapids.

Queenstown Rafting

Have a picnic by the lakeside

Why not celebrate Christmas in a low-key Kiwi style? Stock up on food supplies before Christmas Day and head over to the lakeside for a scenic picnic. Queenstown is surrounded by the glistening Lake Wakatipu waters, so you won’t be short of options of places for an outdoorsy feast. If you want to head further afield, there are some great picnicking places en route to Glenorchy too.

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.