Festivals & events

42 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

• New Year's Day (1, Wellington) — National public holiday marking the start of the new year with celebrations across the country.
• Day After New Year's Day (1, Wellington) — National public holiday observed the day after New Year's Day.
• Waitangi Day (2, Wellington) — National public holiday commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, celebrated with ceremonies and cultural events.
• Festival of Colour (2, Auckland) — A vibrant celebration of colour, diversity and creativity featuring live music, food, and interactive art installations across Auckland's w…
• Marlborough Wine & Food Festival (2, Marlborough) — One of New Zealand's premier wine festivals showcasing Marlborough's world-class wines paired with gourmet food and live entertainment.
• Rip Curl Pro Surf Competition (3, Bay of Plenty) — An international surfing championship attracting world-class surfers to Raglan's famous waves.
• Pongal Festival (1, Auckland) — A vibrant Tamil harvest festival celebrated in Auckland with cultural performances, traditional food, and community gatherings.
• Blossom Festival (9, Waikato) — Spring celebration in Hamilton showcasing cherry blossoms and native plants with cultural performances and craft markets.
• Taranaki Festival of the Arts (3, Taranaki) — A biennial celebration of theatre, dance, visual arts, and music held across New Plymouth and the Taranaki region.
• Easter Weekend (4, Wellington) — National public holidays including Good Friday and Easter Monday, observed with religious services and family celebrations.
• Royal Easter Show (4, Auckland) — Historic agricultural show featuring livestock competitions, craft displays, carnival rides and traditional rural demonstrations.
• Anzac Day (4, Wellington) — National public holiday honouring military personnel with dawn services and commemorative events across the country.
• Rotorua Festival of Arts, Culture & Heritage (4, Rotorua) — A celebration of Māori culture, arts, and heritage featuring traditional performances, hangi feasts, and cultural demonstrations.
• Fieldays (6, Waikato) — New Zealand's premier agricultural trade show featuring farm equipment, livestock, and rural innovation displays.
• Queen's Birthday (6, Wellington) — National public holiday marking the Queen's birthday with civic ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country.
• Matariki Celebrations (6, Wellington) — National public holiday celebrating the Māori new year with cultural events, hangi feasts, and community gatherings nationwide.
• Piopioi Festival (6, Manawatū-Whanganui) — A celebration of Māori culture in Feilding featuring waka ama racing, cultural performances, and traditional food markets.
• Winter Solstice Festival (6, Otago) — Dunedin's celebration of the winter solstice with bonfires, torch-lit processions, and community gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Mid Winter Fiesta (6, Wellington) — Wellington's winter celebration featuring live music, street performances, and creative events throughout the city.
• NZ Cup and Show Day (11, Wellington) — Regional public holiday in Wellington featuring the famous horse racing event and rural show celebrations.
• Toast Martinborough Wine Festival (11, Wellington) — One of New Zealand's most popular wine festivals celebrating Martinborough's boutique wineries with live music and gourmet food.
• Gibbston Valley Wine Festival (11, Otago) — A scenic wine festival in Central Otago celebrating the region's renowned Pinot Noir and other wines with live entertainment.
• Nelson Arts Festival (10, Nelson & Tasman) — A major biennial arts festival celebrating visual arts, performing arts, and creative culture in the Nelson region.
• Whangarei Festival of Cultures (3, Northland) — A vibrant celebration of cultural diversity in Whangarei featuring music, food, and performances from various cultures.
• Devonport Food & Wine Festival (5, Auckland) — A charming waterfront festival in Auckland's historic Devonport suburb celebrating local food, wine, and community.
• New Zealand Fashion Week (8, Auckland) — The country's premier fashion event showcasing New Zealand designers' collections on prestigious runways.
• Christchurch Festival of Flowers (9, Canterbury) — A spectacular celebration of spring featuring stunning floral displays, cultural performances, and garden tours throughout Christchurch.
• Central Otago Wine & Food Festival (4, Otago) — A prestigious autumn wine festival celebrating Central Otago's premium wines with gourmet food pairings and live music.
• Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival (2, Rotorua) — New Zealand's most prestigious biennial Māori performing arts competition showcasing traditional haka, poi, and waiata.
• West Coast Wildlife Centre Possum Magic Festival (12, West Coast) — A family-friendly festival celebrating West Coast wildlife with educational displays, performances, and interactive activities.
• Labour Day (10, Wellington) — National public holiday celebrating workers' rights with civic ceremonies and community events across New Zealand.
• Bay of Islands Festival of Lights (6, Northland) — A winter festival in Russell featuring illuminated installations, community events, and celebrations throughout the historic bay.
• Southfury Vineyard Festival (2, Auckland) — A rural wine festival celebrating the Kumeu wine region with tastings, local food, and entertainment.
• Canterbury A&P Show (9, Canterbury) — A major agricultural and pastoral show featuring livestock competitions, vintage machinery, and rural demonstrations.
• Rhythm & Vines (12, Otago) — A massive three-day music festival celebrating New Year's Eve in Gisborne with top international and local artists.
• Christmas Day (12, Wellington) — National public holiday celebrating Christmas with family gatherings, church services, and festive celebrations throughout the country.
• Boxing Day (12, Wellington) — National public holiday observed the day after Christmas with shopping, sports, and community events.
• Hawkes Bay A&P Show (10, Bay of Plenty) — A premier agricultural show showcasing rural life with livestock competitions, crafts, and family entertainment.
• Summer Sounds Festival (1, Southland) — Invercargill's outdoor summer music festival featuring live performances from local and international artists.
• Hokitika Wildfoods Festival (3, West Coast) — A unique celebration of wild food featuring insect cuisine, native meats, and adventurous culinary experiences on the West Coast.
• New Zealand International Comedy Festival (5, Wellington) — The Southern Hemisphere's biggest comedy festival showcasing local and international comedians across Wellington's venues.
• Pasifika Festival (3, Auckland) — The world's largest Pacific Islander festival celebrating cultures from across the Pacific with music, food, and traditional performances.