Festival director Simon Green said he was thrilled Mr Key would be doing the honours for the second successive year.
"Its a fantastic endorsement of the festival and it's value both locally and nationally that the Prime Minister, who's also the Minister of Tourism, is the one to get the party started.
"We hope Mr Key enjoys his time here and can see first-hand how locals and visitors alike celebrate the town's unique culture and community."
Those who were keen to get into the festival spirit early joined in the Parade of Lights last night, during which Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes flicked the switch at the top of The Mall, and began a walk to Earnslaw Park, with thousands of lights illuminating the way, ending at the fully lit floating stage.
Tonight, Wakatipu High School's Rock Formation will get the party started before Mr Key's official opening.
The annual fireworks display begins about 7pm with a performance by Southland's international pipeband sensation Pipeworkz - a Celtic, Maori and Pacific Island blend based in Invercargill, which performs music ranging from Braveheart to Split Enz.
The official opening party will wrap up with Wakatipu favourite The Lynch Mob performing the best of Pink Floyd until 8.30pm.
This weekend will offer something for everyone, starting with the smaller family members at the festival street parade, beginning at noon tomorrow, with a family fun day at Earnslaw Park scheduled from 1pm.
Tomorrow afternoon, the Southern Stampede ice hockey team will take on the Canterbury Red Devils at the Queenstown Ice Arena in its first home game of the season, while those in the mood for glitz, glamour and plenty of dancing could get glammed up, don a mask and celebrate winter in Queenstown style at the Masquerade Ball.
On Sunday, the Day on the Bay, featuring the Birdman, Jetsprints, Splash for Dash and the Undy 500, will offer plenty of hilarity and some head colds for entrants.
The new Thriller in the Chiller event at the Queenstown Events Centre looks to be a knockout, with Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the world's greatest boxers, making a special appearance.
The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival runs until July 4.
Winter Festival Programme
TODAY
- Noon: Business Luncheon, Crowne Plaza
- 5pm: Top Blokes Launch, Memorial Hall
- 6pm: Opening Party, Earnslaw Park
- 7pm: Fireworks Display, Earnslaw Park
- 8pm: Platinum Party, Ice Box
- 8.30pm: Warren Miller's Dynasty, Reading Cinema
- 9.30pm: Live Entertainment - Lipstick, SkyCity Queenstown Casino
TOMORROW
- 10am: Arts & Crafts Market, Earnslaw Park
- Noon: Festival Street Parade, Streets of Queenstown
- 1pm: Family Fun Day, Earnslaw Park
- 1pm: Winter Doubles Wind-Up, Queenstown Gardens
- 6.30pm: Snow Sports NZ Annual Awards Night, Ice Box
- 7pm: Masquerade Ball - Moulin Rouge, Millennium Hotel
- 7pm: Ice Hockey - Southern Stampede v Canterbury Red Devils, Queenstown Ice Arena
- 8.30pm: Warren Miller's Dynasty, Reading Cinema
- 9.30pm: Live Entertainment - Pearly and The Oystermen, SkyCity Queenstown Casino
SUNDAY
- 10.30am: Brunch at The Hills, The Hills
- Noon: Day on the Bay, Earnslaw Park & Queenstown Bay
- 4.15pm: Ice Hockey - Southern Stampede v Canterbury Red Devils, Queenstown Ice Arena
- 5pm: International Violin Competition Recital, Memorial Hall
- 5pm: Warren Miller's Dynasty, Reading Cinema
- 7.30pm: Thriller in the Chiller, Queenstown Events Centre
MONDAY
- 7am: Retro Aerobics at Earnslaw Park
- Noon: Millbrook and Brown at Millbrook
- 1pm: Ladies Fashion Afternoon at Icebox
- 5.30pm: Bodyjam in the Park at Earnslaw Park
- 7.30pm: Avalanche Awareness Seminar at Crowne Plaza
- 7.30pm: Comedy Gala at Memorial Hall
