Festivals & events

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

• New Year's Day (1 January · All regions · National) — National public holiday marking the start of the new year with celebrations across the country.
• Day After New Year's Day (2 January · All regions · National) — National public holiday observed the day after New Year's Day.
• Waitangi Day (6 February · All regions · National) — National public holiday commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, celebrated with ceremonies and cultural events.
• Festival of Colour (All February · Auckland · 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 (All February · Blenheim · 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 (All March · Raglan · Bay of Plenty) — An international surfing championship attracting world-class surfers to Raglan's famous waves.
• Pongal Festival (All January · Auckland · Auckland) — A vibrant Tamil harvest festival celebrated in Auckland with cultural performances, traditional food, and community gatherings.
• Blossom Festival (All September · Hamilton · Waikato) — Spring celebration in Hamilton showcasing cherry blossoms and native plants with cultural performances and craft markets.
• Taranaki Festival of the Arts (All March · New Plymouth · Taranaki) — A biennial celebration of theatre, dance, visual arts, and music held across New Plymouth and the Taranaki region.
• Easter Weekend (All April · All regions · National) — National public holidays including Good Friday and Easter Monday, observed with religious services and family celebrations.
• Royal Easter Show (All April · Auckland · Auckland) — Historic agricultural show featuring livestock competitions, craft displays, carnival rides and traditional rural demonstrations.
• Anzac Day (25 April · All regions · National) — National public holiday honouring military personnel with dawn services and commemorative events across the country.
• Rotorua Festival of Arts, Culture & Heritage (All April · Rotorua · Rotorua) — A celebration of Māori culture, arts, and heritage featuring traditional performances, hangi feasts, and cultural demonstrations.
• Fieldays (All June · Hamilton · Waikato) — New Zealand's premier agricultural trade show featuring farm equipment, livestock, and rural innovation displays.
• Queen's Birthday (All June · All regions · National) — National public holiday marking the Queen's birthday with civic ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country.
• Matariki Celebrations (All June · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating the Māori new year with cultural events, hangi feasts, and community gatherings nationwide.
• Piopioi Festival (All June · Feilding · Manawatū-Whanganui) — A celebration of Māori culture in Feilding featuring waka ama racing, cultural performances, and traditional food markets.
• Winter Solstice Festival (All June · Dunedin · Otago) — Dunedin's celebration of the winter solstice with bonfires, torch-lit processions, and community gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Mid Winter Fiesta (All June · Wellington · Wellington) — Wellington's winter celebration featuring live music, street performances, and creative events throughout the city.
• NZ Cup and Show Day (All November · Wellington · Wellington) — Regional public holiday in Wellington featuring the famous horse racing event and rural show celebrations.
• Toast Martinborough Wine Festival (All November · Martinborough · 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 (All November · Gibbston · Otago) — A scenic wine festival in Central Otago celebrating the region's renowned Pinot Noir and other wines with live entertainment.
• Nelson Arts Festival (All October · Nelson · Nelson & Tasman) — A major biennial arts festival celebrating visual arts, performing arts, and creative culture in the Nelson region.
• Whangarei Festival of Cultures (All March · Whangarei · Northland) — A vibrant celebration of cultural diversity in Whangarei featuring music, food, and performances from various cultures.
• Devonport Food & Wine Festival (All May · Devonport · Auckland) — A charming waterfront festival in Auckland's historic Devonport suburb celebrating local food, wine, and community.
• New Zealand Fashion Week (All August · Auckland · Auckland) — The country's premier fashion event showcasing New Zealand designers' collections on prestigious runways.
• Christchurch Festival of Flowers (All September · Christchurch · Canterbury) — A spectacular celebration of spring featuring stunning floral displays, cultural performances, and garden tours throughout Christchurch.
• Central Otago Wine & Food Festival (All April · Queenstown · 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 (All February · Rotorua · Rotorua) — New Zealand's most prestigious biennial Māori performing arts competition showcasing traditional haka, poi, and waiata.
• West Coast Wildlife Centre Possum Magic Festival (All December · Franz Josef · West Coast) — A family-friendly festival celebrating West Coast wildlife with educational displays, performances, and interactive activities.
• Labour Day (All October · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating workers' rights with civic ceremonies and community events across New Zealand.
• Bay of Islands Festival of Lights (All June · Russell · Northland) — A winter festival in Russell featuring illuminated installations, community events, and celebrations throughout the historic bay.
• Southfury Vineyard Festival (All February · Kumeu · Auckland) — A rural wine festival celebrating the Kumeu wine region with tastings, local food, and entertainment.
• Canterbury A&P Show (All September · Christchurch · Canterbury) — A major agricultural and pastoral show featuring livestock competitions, vintage machinery, and rural demonstrations.
• Rhythm & Vines (All December · Gisborne · Otago) — A massive three-day music festival celebrating New Year's Eve in Gisborne with top international and local artists.
• Christmas Day (25 December · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating Christmas with family gatherings, church services, and festive celebrations throughout the country.
• Boxing Day (26 December · All regions · National) — National public holiday observed the day after Christmas with shopping, sports, and community events.
• Hawkes Bay A&P Show (All October · Hastings · Bay of Plenty) — A premier agricultural show showcasing rural life with livestock competitions, crafts, and family entertainment.
• Summer Sounds Festival (All January · Invercargill · Southland) — Invercargill's outdoor summer music festival featuring live performances from local and international artists.
• Hokitika Wildfoods Festival (All March · Hokitika · 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 (All May · Wellington · Wellington) — The Southern Hemisphere's biggest comedy festival showcasing local and international comedians across Wellington's venues.
• Pasifika Festival (All March · Auckland · Auckland) — The world's largest Pacific Islander festival celebrating cultures from across the Pacific with music, food, and traditional performances.