Queenstown does not stop entirely on Christmas Day from bolstering New Zealand's annual $21.7 billion tourism industry, but the frenetic pace of its summer season does drop down a gear.
Wakatipu business operators had a choice yesterday of either closing or staying open in a bid to make up for lacklustre spring trade and almost non-existent Rugby World Cup dividends.
There is no better snapshot of what is on people's minds and the cross-section of the community and influx of visitors on Christmas Day than a church service of any of the faiths in Queenstown.
It was standing room only in St Peter's Church for its 9.30am Holy Communion and carol service, one of four Anglican services in the Wakatipu on Christmas morning.
About 10 people in the international congregation raised their hands when the Rt Rev Dr David Coles asked who had sought a "Silent Night" or more in the resort, away from the earthquakes in Christchurch.
Dr Coles welcomed them, along with everyone else, and said their thoughts and prayers were with not only with Cantabrians, but also with Nelson citizens affected by floods and West Coast families missing fathers, sons and brothers after the Pike River mining disaster.
More Mainlanders seeking refuge from calamity and a summer holiday would have arrived during the two busy periods at Queenstown Airport yesterday. Thousands of passengers came through the terminal on 14 domestic flights as well as two flights from Sydney and one from both Melbourne and Brisbane, which all returned the same day.
Swarms of tourist wandered somewhat aimlessly in Queenstown yesterday, when virtually all retailers and most adventure operators and eateries were closed.
The historic steam ship Earnslaw plied Lake Wakatipu, as always, while sun worshippers in varying shades of brown and pink sprawled out on the beach of Queenstown Bay. Backpackers gathered in groups with stereos, bongo drums and beers on Marine Pde.
It was the first Christmas Day Million Dollar Cruise had opened in four years, co-owner Betty Perkins said, in the company's kiosk on Earnslaw Park.
"There's a lot of people roaming around and [cruises] are going really good. Lots of New Zealanders, English and Australians."
Mrs Perkins said the decision to open was made to "make up for a tough October and November and the family's not coming 'till 4pm."
The beat went on over in the luxurious Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa.
Scores of overseas families listened to Alexandra man Les Richardson tickle the ivories and Queenstowner Pat Monaghan pluck the double bass while tucking into Christmas fare in the Left Bank Cafe.
The veteran entertainers delivered jazzy Christmas tunes with smiles and a twinkle, which attracted the curiosity of two smartly-dressed boys from Colorado, who had probably never seen anything quite like it.
A pair of New Zealanders playing traditional English carols in an American musical style, in a French hotel seemed to sum up Christmas in Queenstown.
