Illuminations fit for the Queen

The Queen should be so lucky. There’s no way she can enjoy the 90,000 coloured lights plus music, art, dance, sculpture, digital media, film, and food that her namesake town will be laying on for her official 95th birthday. But you can revel in all of it.

Over Queen’s Birthday weekend, Luma21 will take place at the Queenstown Gardens.

The Southern Light Project is an internationally recognised, four-night wonderland of illuminated installations throughout the botanical gardens, enhanced by performance artists.

Why go?

Because it’s like a northern hemisphere Christmas, but better because there’s a wide variety of themes to the decorations and performances. It gets dark early enough that even little ones can enjoy the lights at their brightest and, if that’s not excitement enough, interact with many of the pieces.

The contributors range from schools’ creative projects to Australian artist Amigo & Amigo, and include many innovative local artists, established and emerging, whose works have been years in development. There’s also a wide selection of food vendors on-site, plus a licensed bar, and everything is sustainable and zero-waste.

Insider tip

Dress warmly. There’s a free and frequent park-and-ride bus service to the gardens from the Queenstown Central Shopping

Centre. Not only can you can get your wristband here for express entry to the gardens, but there are ‘‘kids eat free’’ offers at the centre’s food outlets from 4pm. There are also spot prizes for bus passengers.

On the way/nearby

For more night-time fun, there’s always a buzz along the lakefront, with a wide choice of bars, restaurants and food trucks. QT Hotel’s Bazaar is putting on a special pop-up Flash Feast of interactive grills with views over the lights in the gardens.

Chill out in the Minus 5 Ice Bar, then take the free shuttle to the Onsen Hot Pools to warm up again. Ride the Skyline gondola up Bob’s Peak, where the Night Luge runs on Fridays and Saturdays, from dusk until 7pm for thrills and terrific views over the town bathed in the colours of Luma, beautifully reflected in the waters of Lake Wakatipu.

How much?

It’s just $5 a person (12 and under free) for unlimited entry to the whole four nights’ events in the gardens. Buy online (booking fee applies), or at one of the Collection Points, where online tickets need to be swapped for entry wristbands. Get in early to avoid queues.

Best time to go

The festival runs from June 4 to 7, and the lights are on from 5pm to 10pm each night. If you go at dusk, you’ll see the lights getting brighter and brighter under a sky lit only by stars. luma.nz