Fireworks and fun feature of celebration

A bit of light rain was never going to be keep the masses away from the Queenstown waterfront on Saturday.

The We Are Winter celebration drew about 3000 from 10am to 9pm and featured live music, arts, crafts and fireworks.

Despite the winter weather, bands and artists from Queenstown and beyond could be heard on stage at Earnslaw Park as punters danced, ate and enjoyed each others’ company.

The day was also significant with the public reopening of the legendary TSS Earnslaw. It was the historic steamship’s first two cruises since before the Covid-19 lockdown.

Earnslaw crew member Sophie Maclean was delighted to be back on the water.

"It’s been such a fun day, everyone’s excited to get over and see the animals at Walter Peak.

"Everything seems pretty normal now, doesn’t it? So many happy faces."

At 8pm a firework display lit up the Wakatipu sky and people crammed the water’s edge for a decent view.

This was followed by Auckland DJ duo Sweet Mix Kids cranking up the tunes that had the crowd moving and grooving.