The Spectacular concert returns for its second year on December 14 in the Queenstown Events Centre (QEC).
Lakes Leisure events manager Karen Gemmell said there were three key events to look forward to in the run-up to the concert: The producers had launched a competition to find a short story about Christmas in the Queenstown Lakes District.
Children up to 14 years, either individually, in groups or as part of school class, were invited to write a story of up to 500 words.
Entries close on November 14 and the winner will be announced on November 19.
The winning story will be published as a special Christmas book to be put on display in the decorated foyer of QEC during December.
Santa's Christmas Tree Grotto will feature 30 trees decorated and themed by local businesses in aid of Plunket Wakatipu, between December 1 and 21, in the QEC ground floor function room.
Everyone can vote for their favourite tree with a gold coin donation.
Twenty trees were entered last year, with about $300 donated towards the development of a Diabetes Wakatipu website.
The Southern Lakes Wishing Tree will be back in the QEC foyer from December 1 until the day of the concert.
Children can write their wishes on a printed star and decorate the tree.
More than 350 wishes were written last year "There's a creative theme being developed surrounding Santa's workshop," Ms Gemmell said.
"The whole concept of the Remarkable Christmas Spectacular was inspired by Christmas In The Park in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, and Southland's Christmas Concert, but it has developed its own Southern Lakes identity.
"We have such amazing talent here.
"Mark Wilson will be musical director this year and Douglas Kamo is back as director."
A total of 1800 tickets will be available for the Remarkable Christmas Spectacular, 200 more than for last year's show, which sold out three days before curtain up.
Adult tickets cost $10, children's $5 and under-5s are free.
Tickets go on sale on Shotover Jet Locals Day on November 15, then from national Ticket Direct outlets from November 16.
