Queenstown is gearing up to welcome 2009 with an acrobatic air display, live music and fireworks on New Year's Eve, which will also herald the start of the month-long Summerdaze Festival.
The traditional Summerdaze New Year's Eve celebrations will take place at Queenstown and Wanaka waterfronts, from 8.30pm to 1am.
Queenstown Lakes District Council arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said some fantastic acts were lined up this year.
In Queenstown, the evening would begin with an Actionflite acrobatic fly-by, then New Zealand rock/roots reggae band dDub, which has recently returned from a successful tour of Australia, would take the stage at Earnslaw Park.
The support band would be Dr Blade and the Medicine Man, an up-and-coming three-piece rock 'n roll band from Queenstown.
"Complementing the main act, the second stage by the Memorial Gates will feature DJ Hand Solo, along with guest DJs," Mrs Maxwell said.
Wanaka's main stage on the foreshore would also be rocking with Christchurch five-piece the Crystal Set performing a wide range of well known material from the 1970s to the present.
The night would continue with Queenstown band the Master Blasters, led by Wakatipu musician Nigel Hirst.
Spectacular fireworks displays were planned in both Wanaka and Queenstown at midnight.
In Queenstown, Connectabus would be providing New Year's Eve transportation between Sunshine Bay and Arrowtown, with buses departing from outside O'Connell's Pavilion every 30 minutes until 4am.
As in previous years, there would be a total liquor ban, but liquor could be sold and consumed on licensed premises.
Road closures would be in place for both town centres and details were posted on the Summerdaze website.
The Summerdaze Festival runs from December 31 to February 1 and features a programme of more than 30 events to entertain residents and visitors to the district.
For more information, go to www.summerdaze.co.nz
