It’s that time of the year again, when we’re all getting ready for another great winter in Queenstown, that means the Luma Southern Light Festival is back. The LUMA festival has become iconic in Queenstown and every year it gets more popular.
LUMA is very popular among Queenstown locals, it’s great annual event for everyone and especially for families – oh, and did we mention it’s a long weekend?!
Photo of Luma 2018 by Aiste Vasileviciute.
So, why not make LUMA your excuse to come and explore your own backyard and see what all the fuss is about?
This year’s LUMA festival is set to be bigger than ever, and with it only a day away it’s time to start planning how you’ll spend this LUMA long weekend in Queenstown.
What is LUMA?
LUMA is an annual light show in the Queenstown Gardens. It showcases stunning light sculptures that are beautiful, interactive and designed to inspire creativity and learning. Each year different artists from around New Zealand use the lights to convey messages or just show you a truly beautiful scene. It’s so colorful you’ll almost think it’s Christmas!
Photo of Luma 2018 by Aiste Vasileviciute.
The event runs from the 31 May to the 3 June over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. For four nights, the lights will be on display from 5.30pm to 10.00pm. Within the Queenstown gardens, there will be food stalls and bars where you can try some local food, or warm up with a delicious mulled wines.
What to do at LUMA
LUMA is about getting family and friends together and heading off to enjoy a fun atmosphere. Although the festival begins at 5:30pm and finishes at 10pm, the fun of the LUMA festival is around all day and night.
With the extra visitors it attracts, Queenstown becomes as vibrant as ever and there’s never been a better time to enjoy it.
There’s only one thing that brings people together more than LUMA, and that’s food. Queenstown is a great place to try something new or enjoy a Kiwi classic like fish and chips! Erik’s Fish and Chips is a local’s favorite and their food truck will be open throughout the LUMA long weekend. They are located on Earl Street only a few steps from LUMA – so why not grab this Kiwi staple and head to the beach for a picnic!
If you’re after something a little more formal, then why not head to the Bathhouse. This beautiful tapas bar and restaurant is a stone’s throw from LUMA and they also have a playground to keep the kidies busy.
Make it the Ultimate LUMA Long Weekend
Regardless of whether you’ve travelled from your house down the road or from as far as Auckland, it’s time to make the most out of this long weekend. Of course LUMA is the main attraction but why not explore the area and enjoy some of the local activities.
Here’s some of the best activities to pair with your LUMA long weekend that won’t break your budget.
Mt Nicholas Farm Experience
It’s no secret that Kiwis are known for sheep farming, but how many have actually seen a real working farm in NZ?! Well in Queenstown, our Mt Nicholas Farm Experience is the perfect tour the whole family will love. It’s a great way to learn about the animals and of course the farm! Mt Nicholas Farm experience includes a scenic cruise to and from the farm across Lake Wakatipu, a light lunch or afternoon tea, and an authentic farm experience. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ll have you back in Queenstown in time for the LUMA light show!
Read more about our Mount Nicolas Farm Experience!
Cycle the Frankton Track
Winter is arguably Queenstown’s most beautiful season. This weekend it’s very possible the mountains around us will have had their peaks dipped in snow. What better way than to take in the stunning views than from a bike along the Frankton Bike Trail? With plenty of options for bike hire you can rent bicycles and head off with the whole family to enjoy a day surrounded by mountains.
Jet Boating
Kiwis love adventure sports (I mean we invented one of the most popular – bungee jumping!), jet boating is the perfect adventure activity and KJet are one of the best and most trusted jet boat operators. Their jet boating tours leave from right in Queenstown saving you the hassle of travelling to one of the river sites! So in true NZ fashion, why not venture out onto the rivers around Queenstown for some jam-packed family fun!
For more information, check out all of our amazing things to do in Queenstown, and start planning your ultimate LUMA long weekend!
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