Arts & Culture

First Thursdays Quarterly is a free and fun event that celebrates the diversity of arts and culture in our region.

Thursday marks the start of the annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival. This year’s programme will feature much-loved classics and some exciting new things, with something for everyone. There’s over 40 events across the four days with many community groups involved.

The Wao Film Festival is back, promising an unparalleled cinematic experience that celebrates the marvels of the natural world while shedding light on pressing environmental issues. Taking place from Thursday, 9 May to Sunday, 12 May, the festival invites audiences to immerse themselves in captivating films that inspire a deeper connection with nature.

Award-winning folk artist Amiria Grenell is coming to Queenstown in support of her new album, The Winter Light.

Christchurch-based group the River City Jazzmen will be heading to Wānaka this weekend.

Award-winning Belgium-based pianist and composer, Daniel Verstappen, is coming to Queenstown for a one-off performance.

Born in Korea, raised in the United States, and now residing in Aotearoa New Zealand, Sumi Hahn is a writer with many interesting life-chapters to draw from.

The Aspiring Conversation programme is returning to Wānaka this week. It will feature a number of speakers and artists across four days who aim to inspire.

The Central Otago Regional Orchestra is delighted to join with internationally renowned, Queenstown based pianist Kinga Krupa to present their April concert series, 'Autumn Romance', showcasing a programme with flavours of romance ranging from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky to Grieg.

The fantastic Ōtautahi-based indie folk duo Terrible Sons are heading to town in April.

Wakatipu High School students are getting ready to take their mainstage to perform American musical Hairspray. The show is their annual musical production and will open at the start of April.

Songwriter Society is a monthly open mic night for writers of original songs and poetry – all are welcome. The event is held at the Sherwood and run by local musicians Clair Forrester and Paul Marcham, aka Choice. The next one is this Thursday, then Thursday, 25 April.

IYKYK (If You Know You Know) is a double-bill of contemporary dance, with works by choreographers Holly Newsom and Forest Kapo, coming to Queenstown this weekend.

The classic love story of Romeo and Juliet will play out in Wānaka this Friday but with a wee bit of a twist.

We believe in the transformative power of the arts to spark conversations, challenge perceptions, and connect people.

Stroll down the Buckingham Street courtyard in Arrowtown and you’ll stumble across its latest art installation, Crescendo, a three-and-a-half metre white granite sculpture by Jack Stobart, founder and director of Birdwoods Gallery.

With a creative reputation spanning three decades, John Reynolds is the artist New Zealand turns to for works with a mischievous punch.

Two New Zealand musicians have joined forces to release “Good Miles to Go,” an Americana-roots style of song.