Fireworks to welcome New Year

Revellers watch the Queenstown fireworks display which welcomed in 2006. Queenstown's Earnslaw Park and Wanaka's Log Cabin car park will again host New Year's Eve celebrations, with a spectacular fireworks display planned to welcome 2010 with a bang. Photo by Craig Baxter.

Events are planned in Queenstown and Wanaka, with the on-stage action in both towns beginning at 8.30pm.

QLDC arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said the Earnslaw Park stage, in Queenstown, would feature Dunedin group the Oxo Cubans and local group the Medicine Men.

A second stage would be set up at the Memorial Gates, catering for the "younger party-goers".

The stage would feature DJ Asbro and DJ Hand Solo.

In Wanaka, Christchurch band Retrosonic and The Cartel, from Queenstown, would entertain the crowds into the new year at the stage in the Log Cabin car park.

At midnight, the traditional firework display would ensure 2010 was welcomed with a bang.

Mrs Maxwell said the free midnight fireworks show was "always a real thrill, the highlight of the evening".

The New Year's Eve celebrations would also mark the start of the 2010 Summerdaze festival, which runs until January 31.

The programme had been posted to residents or could be viewed on the festival website, www.summerdaze.co.nz.