Queenstown Christmas Show turns 20: three shows on 5 and 6 December at the Events Centre

The Queenstown Christmas Show is back for its 20th year with Quest for the Christmas Star. There are three performances at the Queenstown Events Centre: Saturday 5 December at 3pm, and Sunday 6 December at 1pm and 5pm. We read the organiser's page on 11 November 2026, and every detail below comes from it.

The story follows five young adventurers after the Christmas Star that has crowned Queenstown's tree mysteriously disappears. They follow a trail of clues across the Wakatipu, from the farm to the lake to the top of Coronet Peak, meeting some interesting characters on the way.

The organisers describe a family show with singing, dancing, aerialists, gymnasts, kapa haka and the Remarkables Men's Ballet. Performers listed include Silk & Circus Aerialists, Queenstown Gymnastics Club, Wakatipu Conservatoire of Classical Ballet, Dance QT and Kāmuriwai Kapa Haka Performance Rōpū.

Tickets are $10 for adults aged 16 and over, $5 for children aged 5 to 15, and free for under 5s. The organisers say adult tickets were $10 when the first show opened in 2007 and they have kept that price on purpose so every family can come. Tickets are sold through the link on the organiser's page.

The show also runs a Make a Wish on the Christmas Star scheme for locals who deserve some magic, such as a club or a volunteer. Wishes close on Friday 20 November at 11.59pm.

If you are travelling with children, our Queenstown family holiday guide has ideas for the rest of the trip, and our free things to do in Queenstown guide covers low cost days around the show.