The council has listed its scheduled event road closures to 1 January: 28 November, the Arrowtown Long Lunch on 3 and 4 December, and New Year's Eve in Queenstown and Wānaka.
Key facts
- Fact 01
Saturday 28 November: Templeton Way in Queenstown and the upper half of Coronet Peak Road close for the Library 150th celebration and the Coronet Peak Hill Climb.
- Fact 02
Thursday 3 to Friday 4 December: Buckingham Street in Arrowtown closes from 7.00pm to 7.00pm for the Arrowtown Long Lunch.
- Fact 03
29 December to 1 January: staged New Year's Eve closures in central Queenstown and Wānaka, longest on 31 December from 3.00pm to 3.00am.
Queenstown Lakes District Council has published its list of scheduled event road closures for the end of 2026, covering Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wānaka. The council says the list includes closures that have been approved or publicly notified, and it points drivers to the NZTA journey planner for ongoing roadworks. We checked the council notice on 23 October. Dates and hours can change, so confirm the exact streets on the council page before you travel.
Saturday 28 November: two closures Templeton Way in Queenstown, from the Queenstown Squash Club to the Boundary Street carpark, closes from 8.00am to 5.30pm for the 150th celebration of Queenstown Library. On the same day the upper half of Coronet Peak Road, from Skippers Road, closes from 8.00am to 6.00pm for the Coronet Peak Hill Climb. If you plan to drive up Coronet Peak Road that day, expect it to be shut for most of the day.
Arrowtown Long Lunch Buckingham Street in Arrowtown, from Berkshire Street to Wiltshire Street, closes from 7.00pm on Thursday 3 December until 7.00pm on Friday 4 December for the Arrowtown Long Lunch. That is an overnight closure, so check where you leave a car or where a pickup will be able to reach you.
New Year's Eve in Queenstown On 29 and 30 December, Rees Street from Shotover Street to Marine Parade, Marine Parade from Rees Street to Church Street, and Beach Street from Camp Street to Shotover Street (including Cow Lane) close from 7.00pm to 12.00am. On 31 December and into 1 January, Beach Street from Rees Street to Shotover Street (excluding deliveries) closes from 7.00am to 12.00am, while Rees Street, Marine Parade and Beach Street from Camp Street to Shotover Street (including Cow Lane) close from 3.00pm to 3.00am.
New Year's Eve in Wānaka On 29 and 30 December the Ardmore Street Log Cabin Layby (excluding buses) closes from 6.00pm to 12.00am. On 31 December and 1 January it closes from 8.00am to 3.00pm each day. Ardmore Street from Dungarvon Street to Lakeside Road, and Helwick Street from Ardmore Street to Dunmore Street, close from 3.00pm to 3.00am.
How to plan around the closures The simplest plan for central Queenstown over New Year is to leave the car parked and walk. Our car-free stay guide explains how to manage a Queenstown visit without driving, and our airport-to-town guide covers the wider transport choices if you are arriving or leaving around these dates. Choosing between bases? Our Queenstown or Wānaka guide compares them. For the rest of our planning guides, see the Queenstown guides hub.
Questions visitors are asking
Which Queenstown streets close for New Year's Eve 2026?
On 31 December, Rees Street, Marine Parade and Beach Street (Camp Street to Shotover Street, including Cow Lane) close from 3.00pm to 3.00am, and Beach Street from Rees Street to Shotover Street closes from 7.00am to 12.00am excluding deliveries. Shorter evening closures run on 29 and 30 December.
When does Coronet Peak Road close for the Hill Climb?
The upper half of Coronet Peak Road, from Skippers Road, closes from 8.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday 28 November for the Coronet Peak Hill Climb.
How long is Buckingham Street in Arrowtown closed for the Long Lunch?
From 7.00pm on Thursday 3 December until 7.00pm on Friday 4 December, between Berkshire Street and Wiltshire Street.
Where can I check roadworks that are not event closures?
The council's notice points drivers to the NZTA journey planner for ongoing roadworks in the district.