Heralded by the tribal beats of Japanese drummers, the 38th Queenstown Winter Festival mardi gras began in a spectacular fusion of lanterns, street theatre, music and good old-fashioned party spirit last night as thousands of people hit the streets and waterfront to soak up the atmosphere.
The Japanese-themed mardi gras parade saw the streets lined with excited families, visitors and locals as a procession of giant masks, geishas, stiltwalkers and lantern-bearing youngsters made its way towards Earnslaw Park.
Groups of people wrapped up against the winter winds quaffed mulled wine and got up close and personal with the colourful paraders, before the entertainment continued with the Queenstown Ukulele Orchestra, which, fittingly for mardi gras, began with a song by pop singer Lady Gaga.
As festivities continued on the waterfront, the Rockformation stage in Beach St turned the dial to 11, with high school bands drawing the masses and linking up the two stages with a sea of people, before Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison and Little River Band's Glen Shorrock carried the party on into the night.
