Never miss
a festival.
29 of New Zealand’s favourite festivals, for music, culture, food and drink. Tick the ones you’d hate to miss, and we’ll give you one heads-up 3 weeks before each one, wherever you live. More iconic events are on their own page.
Music
Photo: MatttiMatti0000, CC BY-SA 4.0 Rhythm & Vines
New Zealand's biggest New Year's festival, in the Gisborne vineyards that are among the first in the world to see the sunrise.
Photo: Skyviewphotography, CC BY-SA 4.0 FinishedSplore
The much-loved music and arts festival by the sea at Tāpapakanga Regional Park. Organisers said the 2026 festival was the last.
Illustrative photo: Andy Weisner, CC BY-SA 2.0 AUM New Year's Festival
A multi-day psytrance and electronic New Year's festival in the countryside north-west of Auckland.
Illustrative photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dates unconfirmedBay Dreams
A summer festival of big hip hop, pop and dance acts, held in Mount Maunganui and the South Island in the first days of January. Organisers took a break in 2025, and we couldn't confirm the next date.
Illustrative photo: Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0 Rhythm & Alps
New Year's in the mountains at Cardrona, with big local and international acts.
Illustrative photo: Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0 Northern Bass
Three days of drum and bass and electronic music to see in the New Year in Northland.
Illustrative photo: Avenue, CC BY-SA 4.0 Shipwrecked
A boutique electronic music and arts festival on a coastal farm at Te Arai, with international house and techno DJs over Waitangi weekend.
Illustrative photo: York Tillyer, CC BY 3.0 WOMAD NZ
Music, arts and dance from around the world in New Plymouth's Brooklands Bowl and Pukekura Park.
Photo: Robyn2000, CC BY-SA 2.0 Jim Beam Homegrown
A one-day celebration of New Zealand music with the country's biggest local acts, now in Hamilton after years in Wellington.
Illustrative photo: Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0 On holdOne Love
Reggae and good vibes at Tauranga Domain over Wellington Anniversary weekend. The 2026 festival was cancelled.
Illustrative photo: Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0 Electric Avenue
Christchurch's biggest music festival, with headline international acts in Hagley Park.
Arts and culture
Photo: russellstreet, CC BY-SA 2.0 Auckland Lantern Festival
Thousands of glowing lanterns, food stalls and performances to mark the Lunar New Year.
Photo: Adana Dobranis, CC BY 4.0 Pasifika Festival
One of the world's biggest Pacific festivals, with food, music and dance from across the Pacific islands.
Illustrative photo: Sassyangelkiwi, CC BY-SA 4.0 Te Matatini
The national kapa haka festival, where the country's best teams compete. Next in Waikato in 2027.
Illustrative photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0 CubaDupa
Wellington's Cuba Street turns into a two-day street party of music, performance and art.
Illustrative photo: lumoplank, CC0 Art Deco Festival
Napier goes back to the 1930s with vintage cars, costumes, jazz and dances.
Photo: Roger Wong, CC BY-SA 2.0 Bread & Circus World Buskers Festival
Street performers from around the world take over central Christchurch every summer.
Illustrative photo: Mark Herlihy, Public domain NZ International Comedy Festival
Weeks of stand-up from the best local and international comedians in Auckland and Wellington.
Illustrative photo: Subharnab Majumdar, CC BY 2.0 Auckland Diwali Festival
Auckland's festival of lights, with Indian food, dance and music in the central city.
Food, wine and farming
Illustrative photo: Daderot, CC0 Visa Wellington On a Plate
A month of special menus, burger battles and food events across the capital.
Illustrative photo: Wanderstheworld, CC BY-SA 4.0 Beervana
New Zealand's biggest craft beer festival, with hundreds of beers under one roof in Wellington.
Illustrative photo: Jonathan Harker, CC BY 4.0 On holdMarlborough Wine & Food Festival
New Zealand's longest-running wine festival, in the vineyards of Marlborough. Organisers have put the festival on hold after 40 years.
Photo: Eli Duke, CC BY-SA 2.0 Hokitika Wildfoods Festival
Huhu grubs, possum pies and other wild bush food, washed down with a West Coast party.
Illustrative photo: George Pollard, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bluff Oyster Festival
A celebration of the famous Bluff oyster at the bottom of the South Island.
Illustrative photo: HuttyMcphoo, CC BY-SA 2.5 F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic
Hawke's Bay's food and wine classic, with long lunches, dinners and tastings across the region.
Illustrative photo: Schwede66, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival
Craft beer and food from around the country under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Photo: Kylie & Rob (and Helen), CC BY 2.0 Toast Martinborough
A day of wine, food and music, strolling between the vineyards of Martinborough.
Illustrative photo: Southern Foodways Alliance, CC BY 2.0 Meatstock
A barbecue and music festival with pitmasters, butchers, competitions and live bands.
Motors and air shows
Illustrative photo: Evil Monkey, CC BY-SA 4.0 George Begg Festival
A Southland celebration of racing pioneer George Begg, with historic race cars back out on track.