The party which pumps an estimated $57 million into the Wakatipu economy every winter is expected to deliver a programme packed with old favourites and new surprises for its 40th birthday in 2014.
Organisers of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival have announced the event will return on June 20 to 29 next year, ushering in the new snow sports season.
More than 45,000 revellers are expected to cram the streets of Queenstown for the nine-day slate of free and ticketed live music, fireworks, glamorous balls, novelty races, comedy, charity events and family fun.
Lisa Buckingham returns for her second stint as Winter Festival manager while key sponsor American Express is back on board for the 25th year.
Ms Buckingham said she already had plans for next year's 40th birthday party well under way.
''There'll be some new events but we're also focusing on bringing back the 'best of the best' from the past 39 years.''
The success of the festival has snowballed over the years, earning it a solid national and international reputation.
It has been ranked among the world's top 10 ''must-do'' festivals by the Australian website Yahoo! Travel.
Destination Queenstown owns the festival and chief executive Graham Budd said anticipation was already building for next year's celebrations.
''The festival will mark a special milestone for our community - it's grown from a few locals who thought town was a bit quiet and the arrival of winter was a great excuse for a party to becoming the southern hemisphere's premier celebration of all things winter,'' Mr Budd said.
''It's our way of declaring Queenstown open for the winter season and celebrating it with 10 days of pure, unadulterated fun.''
