Arts & Culture

The Royan New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) is coming to Queenstown at the start of April with a show for the kids.

Theatre show SELENE, a story about the goddess and the dark side of the moon, is coming to town. A radical explosion of ancient myth, it’s about how we grow up defined by our bodies, the light (and dark) sides of us, and all the wild stuff inside of us.

In 2023, scientist turned stand-up comedian Ben Miller was the artist in residence at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park – the first stand-up comedian ever selected for the programme.

The Aspiring Conversation programme is returning to Wānaka in March. It will feature a number of speakers and artists across four days who aim to inspire, create space for reflection and live exchange. It’s more important now than ever to gather, discuss, listen and reflect on the issues that affect all in our community and the world at large.

Innocent until proven guilty is the bedrock of human rights but in the one-woman play, Prima Facie, Tessa Ensler learns the hard way that this isn’t always the case.

Te Atamira’s latest exhibition opens on Tuesday, Let the Honey Soak Through. Inspired by bee networks and their relationship with the environment, the installation will include a range of works exploring the patterns that bees create to sustain their lives, replicated by human systems, hiveware, keepers and agricultural formations.

Queenstown Gardens will be taken over by Remarkables Theatre with stories of friendship, love and tales of the heart. From 13 February, the much-loved annual promenade show will celebrate love in all its forms - romantic, platonic, complicated, hilarious, and heartfelt.

Local creators putting together a curated walking tour, available in the palm of your hand. That’s the business model for VoiceMap, a downloadable app on your phone, and Virginia Driver is the voice behind the local tours which shine a spotlight on Queenstown and Arrowtown’s rich history.

Wellington-based artist Hana Dean will lead a portrait painting workshop at Te Atamira this weekend.

Arrowtown Creative Arts Society’s (ACAS) Remarkable Picnic Opera will return in February. Off the back of a successful 2025, the seventh Opera features seven ‘big’ voices, a varied programme and includes a new, vibrant pre-show performance from renowned electric violinist, Arna Morton.

Rhythm and Alps returns for its 15th anniversary this December with its biggest event yet - featuring a stacked first lineup featuring international heavyweights and homegrown faves.

Angus Watson has been painting colourful artworks for 35 years now. His annual exhibition will take place in January at his home studio in Dalefield, showcasing his vibrant striking artworks. He loves to welcome people to come see his art and is looking forward to another year.

Te Atamira have curated a fun-filled arts and crafts programme for tamariki aged 5 – 13 these school holidays. There’s a Christmas programme, which will be held next Monday and Tuesday before the January programme kicks off on Tuesday, 6 January.

The Arts Hole is Queenstown's first and only urban, contemporary art gallery featuring exciting works from emerging and established artists, including the likes of Banksy.

Waiheke Island-based artist Julia Holden is returning to Queenstown for the opening of her exhibition, The Artist, this Friday, and to join in on a panel discussion, The Power of Collaboration, on Saturday.

The Queenstown Christmas Show will return with a wholesome family-friendly performance.

The Ivy Box is celebrating a big milestone this month — ten years in business! They’re hosting an event on Friday to commemorate, showcasing new art by past and present artists, music, and nibbles. All art lovers are encouraged to come along and join in.

Neighbourhood Story Slam is a community event where storytellers share a true, personal, lived five-minute story based on the night’s theme.

You’ll be able to cool yourself down this summer – Kiwi icons The Black Seeds will join the lineup for Rhythm & Alps. The New Year festival includes an array of artists to bring in 2026, and guitarist and lead singer of the band, Barnaby Weir, is excited to be a part of it.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and the Three Lakes Cultural Trust (TLCT) are playing creative matchmaker this November — pairing local creativity with unexpected spaces and places across the district.