A burlesque-themed masquerade ball, comedy nights, boxing tournament, fashion show and jazz nights have been described by the organisers as the hottest events.
The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival returns for its 37th year, from June 24 to July 3. Up to 50 events were scheduled at 20 venues over 10 days and, while 32 events will be free entry, 16 require tickets.
Burlesque glitz and glamour will descend on the Queenstown Memorial Hall for the Deutz Masquerade Ball, on Saturday, June 25. A "spectacular" floor show, three-course meal and all liquid refreshment will be covered by the $179 tickets.
Peter Thornley, newly appointed chef of the Wakatipu Grill will prepare the Big Brunch at Hilton Queenstown hotel, on Sunday, June 26. The multi-award-winning gourmand will talk patrons through their dining experience, and jazz ensemble Nairobi Trio will provide accompaniment. Tickets are $69.
A total of 22 Wakatipu residents will demonstrate what they learned from 15 weeks of boxing training in the Thriller in the Chiller, on Sunday, June 26.
The popular event will help raise money for the Bruce Grant Youth Trust.
Tables for formally attired patrons will cost $1500 each and include a dinner and drinks package. Theatre seating is $59.
Comedy is on the bill when television comedy satire show 7 Days is staged live, on Tuesday, June 27. Tickets cost $69.
Comedian Brendhan Lovegrove returns on Wednesday, June 29, with fellow mirth-makers Jeremy Corbett, Michelle A'Court, Jeremy Elwood and Paul Ego, to deliver their best stand-up material, fresh from the Auckland International Comedy Festival.
Tickets are $39.
The Alpine Health and Fitness Ladies Fashion Challenge makes its evening debut on Thursday, June 30. A dozen Queenstown women who took on the 12-week fitness and fashion challenge will parade on the runway. Tickets cost $39.
The Stoneleigh Jazz Night returns to Skyline on Saturday, July 2 with renowned international jazz performer Nathan Haines and his Heaven & Earth show launching the evening before his DJ set.
Vocalists LA Mitchell and Sacha Vee will get the upstairs jazz lounge swinging before Christchurch soul funk seven-piece band Oval Office plays.
Invercargill's Rythmonyx and Tahuna Breaks, one of New Zealand's most in-demand jazz, funk and dub bands, round off the bill. Tickets are $89 and festival director Simon Green urged people to get in quickly.
"After last year's debut of the Thriller in the Chiller we know this year's event is going to sell very fast, and once everyone sees the stellar lineup for the Stoneleigh Jazz Night, these tickets will be in hot demand also."
Tickets can be bought from Ticket Direct, from the Queenstown Events Centre, or i-Site Visitor Centre in Queenstown.
