At the programme launch last night, festival director Sally Feinerman said there were several firsts for the festival, starting with the first themed flight coming into New Zealand from Sydney.
New Zealand band Goodnight Nurse and comedians Simon McKinney and Justine Smith would set the party atmosphere from the festival's beginning, Ms Feinerman said.
Having a base in Queenstown - the Kawarau Falls Station pavilion, which will be set up in the Ballarat St car park - had opened the way for several new events such as Falling in Love Again, Jennifer Ward-Lealand's tribute in song to the films of Marlene Dietrich.
Other highlights included New Zealand music act Lucid 3, and free events for the whole family, Ms Feinerman said.
She said this year's poster campaign - featuring Queenstown identities including farmer and runner Chris Dagg and the children from Wakatipu Kindergarten - recognised the contribution and support the festival received from the community.
