Winter’s off with a bang
The DFS Winter Fireworks are set to light up the skies over the Whakatipu on Friday 30 June. The fireworks display has been a quintessentially Queenstown start to winter for 45 years and local businesses see the benefits of the fireworks display as it attracts thousands of people.
There’s been much excitement around town since the announcement that the fireworks will return after many locals and tourists were sad to see the cancellation of the Winter Fest. The night will feature activities before and after the display and will make for a great family-friendly night out. The event raises funds to support the Love Queenstown community fund, which supports local climate, conservation and biodiversity projects. Million Dollar Cruises have offered up their boat free-of-charge to cruise around the harbour and raise more funds.
Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce are thrilled for the return of the fireworks, which will help to boost business traffic and encourage visitors to the region.
“We’re excited to see this Winter Festival favourite return for the start of the winter,” says Rachel Clifford at the Chamber. “It’s really great to have locals coming back into the revamped CBD to celebrate as they have in past years and hopefully everyone will have a great family night out. We just want to congratulate DFS for stepping up and making it happen.”
With more events happening throughout the winter including Luma and the Matariki Arrowtown Lights, some other businesses in town have reported that the end of the overall festival isn’t going to hugely affect them, although it is a shame to lose it. One business in town said that they’re looking forward to the fireworks as it brings excitement and crowds to town, although that this time of year is generally busier for them anyway. T Galleria are encouraging local businesses to join in the celebration – with the numbers expected to attend, it will be hard for Queenstown’s establishments to avoid being a part of the festivities.
Steamer Wharf have some of the best views for the fireworks display and houses 12 restaurants, many of which are perfect vantagepoints – such as Pier, Pub on Wharf, Atlas and Boardwalk. The wharf monitor foot traffic and revenues, which in the past increase with events like this. Johnny Stevenson at Steamer Wharf has reported that it’s been particularly quiet lately and believes that the event is totally worth it and that it’s “good bang for your buck.”
“It’s great, in the absence of the Winter Fest as we knew it,” says Johnny. “We need a new event that signifies the start – everybody is really excited about the ski season. It’s a great night to pull everybody together and families to come in. We’re really supportive of it.”
“We’ve had our first shoulder season in a couple of years – we forgot that we had shoulders, but it was brought back quite abruptly, the way it has been for 20 years but we sort of forgot; apart from that great big shoulder when we were all locked at home. It’s getting its normal rhythm back and everyone I talk to is really supportive of the fireworks. It’s an event that marks the change of the oncoming season. You can feel it around town as you walk around the streets – everybody’s really buzzing.”
Queenstown Lakes District Council are also enthusiastic about the buzz and excitement that brings winter in Queenstown to life. QLDC Relationship Manager, Arts & Events Jan Maxwell says that “A fireworks display has been part of how our community welcomes winter for many years so it’s wonderful to see this continue. It’s a celebration that all ages can enjoy for free, and a spectacle loved by locals and visitors alike.”
The fireworks display will kick off ignite the sky at 6:30pm on 30 June and will feature a local entertainers, street performers, and pop-up stalls along the waterfront.
