Minus 5º Ice Bar holds fifth annual Santa's Grotto Fundraiser

Summer in Queenstown can be a little too ‘hot’ for one elderly gentleman in his jolly red coat.

That’s why Queenstown’s 5º Ice Bar is putting the chill back into Christmas to make Santa Claus feel right at home when he visits their  Steamer Wharf premises.

Children and their families are invited to join in the festive fun and visit Santa at Minus 5º Ice Bar’s Grotto Fundraiser between 10am to 2pm from Saturday December 19 to 21.

The annual fundraiser is the perfect opportunity for children to share their Christmas lists with Santa in chilly temperatures of -5º to -10º, similar to his North Pole home.

All proceeds will go to Wakatipu Plunket, New Zealand’s largest provider of support services for children under five. The local organization works together with local families to ensure the best start for every child in the Wakatipu.


Santa Claus carved ice sculpture at Minus 5º Ice Bar. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

Minus 5º Ice Bar sales manager Laura Palmieri was delighted with the impressive turnout last year and is looking forward to hosting the ice bar’s fifth fundraiser for the charity.

“We've raised over $8,000 to date - $2,700 just last year - and are looking forward to grow that number even more this year.

“The fundraiser’s a special opportunity for kids to visit Santa in extreme temperatures surrounded by 18 tonnes of crystal clear ice.”

Families can enjoy an intimate experience with Santa for just a $5 donation for children and $10 for a family on a first come/first serve basis. Kids are encouraged to bring their Christmas ‘wish list’ and will each receive a small gift from Santa.

Santa’s helpers will be on hand to capture pictures with St Nick in his winter wonderland. All photo packs will be printed and sold in the lobby for just $5, with proceeds going to Plunket.

Wakatipu Plunket President Juliet Eckford says the “generous donations” from families visiting Santa at Minus 5º helps with the upkeep of the organisation’s Henry Street premise.


Families can enjoy time with Santa at Queenstown’s ‘ice pole’. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

“We wish to extend a huge thank you to Minus 5º Ice Bar for their efforts and generosity year in, year out, for Wakatipu Plunket.

“Events such as the Santa grotto fundraiser help us keep on delivering a five-day week, year-round programme of activities and services for local families and visitors to the area,” she said.

“All donations contribute to our staffing and equipment costs and help keep the doors open.”

Local businesses that have contributed to the worthy cause include Print Central, Sign It Signs, Southern PR, KidzGo Magazine, Cookie Time and The Warehouse.

All visitors will be provided with clothing to transform them into warm little Eskimo’s for the unseasonal ‘winter weather’.