What's on · Queenstown
This week in Queenstown
The week's board: markets, free events and the fixtures worth planning a day around. Any paid card is marked as advertising, on its face.
Checked and updated on 28 August 2026. The board is rebuilt each time Nice publishes, so something announced today may not be here yet. Every card links to the organiser's own page: check times there before you build a day around one.
All week
Queenstown Ice Arena, Queenstown Gardens
Ice skating by the lake
The rink inside Queenstown Gardens runs public sessions every day, and one ticket covers the whole day with skate hire included. Session times move around the calendar, so check the day's times before you walk over.
Te Atamira, Remarkables Park, FranktonFree
Exhibition: Adam Portraiture Award
The country's biggest prize for painted portraits shows its 43 finalists at Te Atamira, in Frankton, until 9 November. Free entry, and a good indoor plan for a wet day.
Queenstown GardensFree
Disc golf in the Gardens
Eighteen baskets threaded through Queenstown Gardens, five minutes from the centre, free and open from dawn to dusk. Bring a disc or pick one up in a shop in town; a round takes about an hour.
Monday
10:30 to 11:00 · Queenstown Library, 10 Gorge RoadFree
Storytime at the library
Half an hour of stories for little ones aged two to five, free, no booking, just walk in. It runs weekly during school term, and late August sits inside Term 3.
Wednesday
16:00 to 21:00 · Coronet Peak
Night ski at Coronet Peak
The mountain stays open under lights on Wednesday and Friday evenings until 4 September, with DJs and fire pits at the base. The night pass is NZ$100; check the snow report that day, because weather can close it.
19:00 · The Beech Tree, 13 Beach StreetFree
Quiz night at The Beech Tree
A free pub quiz every Wednesday at seven, right in the centre. Teams form at the table, entry costs nothing, and it is a warm indoor evening when the cold bites.
Thursday
19:00 · Morrison's Irish Pub, 16 Beach StreetFree
SpeedQuizzing at Morrison's
A pub quiz played on your phone, so a table of travellers can jump in without pen or paper. Free entry, Thursday at seven, upstairs on Beach Street.
Friday
16:00 to 21:00 · Coronet Peak
Night ski at Coronet Peak
The mountain stays open under lights on Wednesday and Friday evenings until 4 September, with DJs and fire pits at the base. The night pass is NZ$100; check the snow report that day, because weather can close it.
18:30 · Searchlight Brewery, 12 Industrial PlaceFree
Open mic at Searchlight Brewery
Local musicians take the stage at the craft brewery from half past six, with a full PA, no cover charge, and dogs welcome. Come to play or just to listen.
Saturday
9:30 to 15:30 · Earnslaw Park, 78 Beach StreetFree
The Saturday craft market
Every Saturday of the year on Earnslaw Park by the lake, everything on the tables made by the person selling it. Winter hours run 9:30 to 15:30.
9:00 · Queenstown GardensFree
Queenstown parkrun
A free timed five kilometres through the Gardens and along the lake, every Saturday at nine in winter. Register once on the parkrun site and bring your barcode; walkers are as welcome as runners.