Summer Events Guide

Remarkables Market

4 October 2025 - 18 April 2026

Arrowtown Farmer's Market

The Arrowtown Farmers’ Market is a seasonal, Sunday market held on the Library Green in historical Arrowtown, on the corner of Buckingham Street and Wiltshire Street. Here you'll find a range of local goods sold by the artists and artisans themselves. As well as fresh, delicious, locally-made food you can enjoy in the gorgeous park alongside the Library Green, or as you wander the nearby Arrow River Trail. 

Queenstown Bike Festival

10 days, over 30 events for top pros to the youngest shredders, and the most amount of stoke you've seen in one mountain town. 

The ideal combination of bikes, beers and barbeques with 100% of proceeds from the Queenstown Bike Festival going towards the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club.

McGazza Memorial Festival

The McGazza Memorial Festival kicks off in late January with a jam-packed weekend to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the legendary Kelly McGarry. The whole idea around the celebration is to live the weekend how he would live each day, action packed and high energy, in all his favourite riding spots. 

The line up includes the mass start Mega Train, Chainless race, Kids air bag jam, Dream jam, Gorge Road jam, and last but not least the McGazza memorial ride. Featuring the Gorge Road Jump Park and technical rides of Ben Lomond Trails, the festival showcases the world-class quality and variety of the Queenstown trails.

The festival aims to celebrate the local legend Kelly McGarry, bring awareness to the benefits biking offers Queenstown's people and community and raise funds for the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club. Whether you’re riding, volunteering or spectating, this is a summer event not to be missed. Keep an eye out for updates here.

The Valley

24 January 2026

This summer, Gibbston comes alive for a celebration of great wine, delicious food, live music, and even better company.

Sip your way through amazing local wines, crisp craft beers, and refreshing cocktails as you graze around the various food stalls and soak up the summer sun.

With a soundtrack from some of New Zealand’s best – Kora, The Black Seeds, Reb Fountain, Hollie Smith, plus support from local acts – you’ll be dancing from afternoon till sunset at The Valley.

Find out more and get your tickets here.

Gin Fest Arrowtown

Saturday 7 February 2026

Indulge in gin tastings from up to 20 distilleries from all over New Zealand at the Gin Fest Arrowtown. Discover the unique flavours, craftsmanship and story behind each distillery. Complement your gin tasting experience with some delicious offerings from Central Otago's finest food vendors, featuring a variety of local and gourmet delights.

Whether you're a seasoned gin lover or new to the world of gin, the Gin Fest Arrowtown offers something for everyone. 

Natural Selection Bike Tour Aotearoa

13 FEBRUARY 2026

A hand picked selection of the best big mountain, slopestyle, freeride, and downhill riders in the world are lining up to ride in the Natural Selection Tour Bike Aotearoa at Mt Dewar in Feb 2026.

The event will also feature a ‘Dream Ticket’ qualifier at the Dream Track in central Queenstown, giving local riders the opportunity to compete for four spots in the finals.

Be inspired by the best in the world under the backdrop of The Remarkables.

New Zealand Golf Open

26 February - 1 March 2026

New Zealand’s premier golfing event is an iconic sporting event that is steeped in both history and drama, dating back to 1907. In 2026, the 105th edition of the New Zealand Open will be played at Millbrook Resort.

The tournament will include a field of up to 156 amateurs and 156 professionals playing alongside one another.  The professional golfers will compete for the New Zealand Open title whilst simultaneously, a pairing of one professional and one amateur will play a best-ball format for the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship.

Spectator entry to the New Zealand Open is free for all ages. Find out more here.  

Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon 

20 - 21 February 2026

Experience the diverse and challenge backcountry terrain of Ben Lomond Station on 20 - 21 February at the Shotover Moonlight off-road trail running event. There is spectacular changing scenery throughout the 56km Moonlight Ultra, 42km Marathon, 30km Adventure, 21km Half Marathon and 10km Trail Run events. Find out more here. 

Motatapu

7 March 2026

The iconic Motatapu off-road event will be held on 7 March 2026. It's your one chance a year to run, bike or walk through some of the most stunning high country terrain in New Zealand, with six different events to choose from over one epic day.

$5 from your entry fee will be donated to Queenstown Trails to help maintain and develop our trails. There's also the option to add a personal donation when registering. To find out more or to secure your spot, see here.

Plan your Queenstown local experience

Stay a bit longer to experience all Queenstown has to offer this summer – find more ways to immerse yourself in Queenstown’s natural beauty and connect with the locals in our 6-day travel itinerary. 

As you explore Queenstown and attend the region's events, share your experiences with us on Instagram by tagging #QueenstownLive.