Prime Minister John Key will officially open the 35th annual festival before the fireworks display over Lake Wakatipu and live entertainment, this year featuring a stage show from Strike Percussion, and the obligatory mulled wine will be available to warm the hands and stomachs of party goers.
Festival director Sally Feinerman said there had been strong ticket sales - the American Express Great Comedy Debate has already sold out - and plenty of free community events, pointing to the 2009 festival being "bigger than ever".
One of the hottest tickets would be the Jazz Night at the Skyline Gondola on July 4.
This year's line-up will feature Nathan Haines' unique jazz, soul and dance music, jazz star Frank Gibson and three of New Zealand's funkiest acts, Six60, The Little Bushmen and Cornerstone Roots.
Those who missed out on the Comedy Debate can still get a ticket to comedian Te Radar's award-winning comedy show Eating The Dog on July 1.
One of the classic events of the winter festival will see central Queenstown buzzing on Tuesday night to take in all the entertainment during the festival mardi gras, with street entertainment, live music and the mardi gras parade.
Those in the mood for some sophistication could get glammed up, don a mask and celebrate in style at the Lindauer Diamond Masquerade Ball tomorrow night.
Tomorrow will also see some spectacular action for football fans, with the Wellington Phoenix going up against 2008 Hyundai A-League champion, the Melbourne Victory in a pre-season match.
Coronet Peak will again host the mountain events, with festival favourites Mountain Bikes on Snow, the Speight's Dog Derby and the Grabaseat Mountain Mayhem Day.
New events this year are the Skin to the Summit, the Media Suite Bruce Grant Youth Trust Charity Breakfast and the American Express Ski Through the Decades.
Night skiing for the 2009 season begins next Saturday, the penultimate day of the 2009 festival.
The fun and games wrap up on July 5 with the rail jam, with Queenstown's hottest snowboarders and skiers performing top tricks in front of the crowed, stoked up by top DJs.
The rail jam will be followed by the festival's closing party, where an aerobatics and parapenting display will close the festival in style.
• Tickets to the festival can be booked through the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival website, www.winterfestival.co.nz, the Queenstown Events Centre or at any Ticket Direct outlet.
