If you’re planning a trip to Queenstown, NZ this holiday season, you’ll find heaps of attractions to get you in the festive spirit.
Perhaps you’re looking to enjoy Christmas day lunch in the park or Christmas dinner at a top restaurant. Maybe you’d just like to relax with live entertainment or have family fun with Santa! Whatever experience you’re after, Queenstown is a hive of activity at this time of year.
Here are our top recommendations for ways to celebrate Christmas right here in Queenstown, NZ.
Amazing things to do on Christmas in Queenstown!
Experience Gondola and Luge rides:
Image credit: Skyline Queenstown
Kick off the festive season with a rush of adrenaline!
Head to Skyline Queenstown and take the scenic Skyline Gondola up to the Luge tracks. Hold on as you steer a gravity-fuelled cart down 1.6kms of corners, dippers and tunnels.
Then, head to the Stratosfare Restaurant to celebrate the festive season with a glass of bubbles.
Book your packages and discover more information on Skyline’s website.
Milford Sound Tours:
Image credit: Mitre Peak Cruises
The perfect Queenstown Christmas has to include a tour of the remarkable Milford Sound. So drive and book a cruise when you arrive in Milford, or jump on one of the many coach tours.
Why not spend Christmas night cruising around the fiords, and wake up to peaceful surroundings and magical scenery.
Don’t miss out and make your bookings early.
Jet Boat Ride or Motorised Shark:
Image credit: Hydro Attack
Get ready for the holiday thrill of a lifetime! Imagine spending Christmas day high-speed jet boating around corners and hurtling through narrow gorges. Or diving through the water inside Queenstown’s world-first semi-submersible shark!
Queenstown tour operators offer lots of white-knuckled white water options in various locations.
Paraglide Adventure:
Image credit: G Force Paragliding
Why not celebrate Christmas with exhilarating paragliding, Queenstown style?
Extreme sports lovers will find a 15-30 minute soar through the air a truly memorable event. Don’t forget your camera!
Where to eat & drink during Christmas in Queenstown
Buffet Lunch & Dinner at Stratosfare Restaurant:
Image credit: Skyline Queenstown
Stratosfare Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy Christmas dinner and a few drinks with friends and family. Treat yourself to a magical evening of freshly prepared food and stunning views over the town.
To book your Christmas lunch or dinner party at the restaurant, be sure to make your reservations well in advance. Visit Skyline’s website for more information.
Dine at Millbrook Resort:
Image credit: Millbrook Resort
Dining at Millbrook Resort is sure to make your Christmas day a special one. Feast on a scrumptious buffet breakfast at the Clubhouse Restaurant from 7 am to 10.30 am, or a buffet lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm at the Pavilion. For dinner, the award-winning Kobe restaurant offers a bold and innovative interpretation of Japanese cuisine based on seasonal ‘sharing’ menus.
If you’re planning on dining on Christmas day, early bookings are essential.
Breweries & Wineries:
Image credit: Stoneridge Estate
Christmas is the perfect time to relax with a bit of wine and beer tasting, surrounded by dramatic mountains and glacial waters. So join a day tour and celebrate the holiday season in the heart of the Central Otago wine region. Sample full-bodied pinot noir, aromatic whites and vibrant craft beer, and take home your favourites.
Make sure you book your wine or beer tasting event well in advance as these are known to fully book up!
Christmas picnic by Lake Wakatipu:
Image credit: Queenstown NZ
If a casual Christmas lunch is more your style, you’ll find plenty of places in Queenstown to spend a warm summer’s day on the banks of Lake Wakatipu.
The most popular picnic spot for locals in December and January is Earnslaw Park. So, stock up on food and find a place on the grass or at a picnic table. We’re sure you’ll enjoy an incredible Christmas Day feast with spectacular lake views.
Public Kitchen and Bar:
Image credit: Public Kitchen And Bar
Spend some time soaking up tranquil waterfront views this December. Head to Public Kitchen and Bar and enjoy afternoon drinks and dinner with friends and family. Come and celebrate the festive season with a glass or two of Otago region wines.
Make your dining reservations and check out their live entertainment schedule online.
Looking for further ideas for your Queenstown Christmas itinerary?
We hope you’ve found some epic options for spending Christmas Day with friends and family here in Queenstown. Make sure you check out the Skyline blog for more ideas on summer activities in New Zealand. We hope to see you soon!
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