The annual Summerdaze festival will begin in spectacular style with free live music and a fireworks display in Queenstown's Earnslaw Park and Marine Pde, on December 31, from 7.30pm to 1am.
Glamorous singing, dancing trio the Sequin Sisters, award-winning Wakatipu High School band the Fletcherz and popular covers band Mojo are lined up for the park stage. DJ Asbro, Hand Solo and guests will be on the Marine Pde stage.
In Wanaka on New Year's Eve, Invercargill ska reggae trio Jah Fire will play their original songs and covers on the Ardmore St waterfront stage, with energetic Auckland five-piece rock band Mile High also playing, from 7.30pm to 1am.
Thrills and spills are guaranteed at the Wanaka Rodeo, on January 2, while all abilities are catered for at the Frontrunner Sky Run and Outside Sports Sky Ride, on the Snow Farm's cross-country trails, on January 3.
Children aged 5 to 12 will be kept occupied with a holiday programme of activities and adventures at Queenstown Playcentre, on Stanley St, from January 3 to 28, at $30 per day.
Young people in Queenstown aged 13 to 20 can drop into X-It Youth Centre, for Summer Madness, week days, January 5 to 31, from 3pm to 6pm. Free competitions, pool and table tennis, plus activities, including rock climbing, which require registration and have cover charges, are also on offer.
Queenstown residents on their lunch break will be able to enjoy Entertainment on the Green, on Thursdays from January 6 to 27, involving performance artists from Flame Fire Productions.
Other highlights include kite-making workshops at the Lake Wanaka Centre, on January 7, and you can fly your creation at the Summerdaze Grand Kite Display, on Saturday, January 8.
The Wild About Water Pool Party makes a splash at the Wanaka Community Pool on January 7, then at the Arrowtown Memorial Pool, on January 14.
The Glenorchy Races, a true-blue Kiwi experience, will be held on Saturday, January 8, the same weekend as the Pub Charity National Rugby 7s, at the Queenstown Recreation Ground.
Children aged between 6 and 15 will take on the Puzzling World Junior Challenge Wanaka, while top international competitors will compete in the Wakatipu One Day Horse Trial, both on January 9.
The Lake Wanaka foreshore and Rippon Vineyard will be the locations for the 5km Charity Fun Run/Walk, on January 10.
The Otago Volts will battle against the Canterbury Wizards at the Queenstown Events Centre oval, on January 12, before the Southern Steel's annual pre-season event, at the centre, from January 28 to 30.
Fun runners and elite sprinters will compete in the Tri NZ Contact Tri Series, through Wanaka, on January 14.
Comedians Te Radar and Shad the Clown, plus a pet parade, sheep-shearing, lawn-mower race, showjumping and a barbecue challenge, are set for the Lake Hayes A and P Show, on January 15. Meanwhile, more than 1200 athletes will cross the finish line of the 226km Challenge Wanaka triathlon, on the same day.
Bring food to cook at the Hope Ave playground for the Lake Hayes Estate community barbecue, on January 16. Community get-togethers are also planned in Fernhill/Sunshine Bay and Arthurs Pt, on January 30.
Comic scenes will be performed live in the Queenstown Gardens, by Remarkable Theatre, from January 21 to 23.
Foodies will be spoilt for choice at the Queenstown Farmers Market, in the St Peter's Church grounds, and the new Remarkables Market, at Remarkables Town Centre, both every Saturday morning.
