50 of New Zealand’s most iconic events. Tick the ones you’d hate to miss, and when next year’s dates or tickets show up on Ticketmaster or Eventfinda, we’ll email you once, wherever you live.
Five days of rock'n'roll, hot rods and classic cars that take over the Coromandel beach town of Whangamatā.
Southland's tribute to motorcycle legend Burt Munro, with racing on Oreti Beach, through the streets and up a hill climb.
New Zealand's famous tarmac rally, racing classic and modern cars over hundreds of kilometres of closed public roads. Being renamed the NZ Silver Fern Tarmac Rally; we couldn't confirm the new official site.
A weekend of American muscle, hot rods and burnouts that fills the streets of Rangiora in North Canterbury.
New Zealand's biggest custom car show, with burnouts, drifting and wild builds, now also run as the Chrome Horsepower Festival.
Hundreds of classic cars and rock'n'roll cruise into the coastal town of Kaikōura for a weekend. We couldn't find an official site or confirmed next date.
Drift king Mad Mike Whiddett's summer party of drifting, burnouts, stunts and music.
A Southland celebration of racing pioneer George Begg, with historic race cars back out on track.
The legendary Aussie car festival's New Zealand edition, with burnouts, show cars and cruising at Mystery Creek.
One of the world's great airshows, with Second World War fighters and modern jets over Lake Wānaka. Next in 2028.
New Zealand's biggest New Year's festival, in the Gisborne vineyards that are among the first in the world to see the sunrise.
The much-loved music and arts festival by the sea at Tāpapakanga Regional Park. Organisers said the 2026 festival was the last.
Big-name international acts on the lawns of Mission Estate, New Zealand's oldest winery.
A multi-day psytrance and electronic New Year's festival in the countryside north-west of Auckland.
New Year's in the mountains at Cardrona, with big local and international acts.
Three days of drum and bass and electronic music to see in the New Year in Northland.
Music, arts and dance from around the world in New Plymouth's Brooklands Bowl and Pukekura Park.
A one-day celebration of New Zealand music with the country's biggest local acts, now in Hamilton after years in Wellington.
Reggae and good vibes at Tauranga Domain over Wellington Anniversary weekend. The 2026 festival was cancelled.
Christchurch's biggest music festival, with headline international acts in Hagley Park.
A spectacular stage show of wearable art from designers all over the world.
Thousands of glowing lanterns, food stalls and performances to mark the Lunar New Year.
One of the world's biggest Pacific festivals, with food, music and dance from across the Pacific islands.
The national kapa haka festival, where the country's best teams compete. Next in Waikato in 2027.
Wellington's Cuba Street turns into a two-day street party of music, performance and art.
Napier goes back to the 1930s with vintage cars, costumes, jazz and dances.
Street performers from around the world take over central Christchurch every summer.
Weeks of stand-up from the best local and international comedians in Auckland and Wellington.
Auckland's festival of lights, with Indian food, dance and music in the central city.
The Māori New Year, marked with a public holiday and events right across the country.
A glamorous après-ski party with champagne and DJs high in the Southern Alps. We couldn't confirm a date for the next one.
A month of special menus, burger battles and food events across the capital.
New Zealand's biggest craft beer festival, with hundreds of beers under one roof in Wellington.
New Zealand's longest-running wine festival, in the vineyards of Marlborough. Organisers have put the festival on hold after 40 years.
Huhu grubs, possum pies and other wild bush food, washed down with a West Coast party.
A celebration of the famous Bluff oyster at the bottom of the South Island.
Hawke's Bay's food and wine classic, with long lunches, dinners and tastings across the region.
Craft beer and food from around the country under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium.
A day of wine, food and music, strolling between the vineyards of Martinborough.
A barbecue and music festival with pitmasters, butchers, competitions and live bands.
Tens of thousands run or walk along Auckland's waterfront from the city to St Heliers.
The legendary race of running, cycling and kayaking right across the South Island.
World-class ultra running through the forests and lakes around Rotorua, now part of the UTMB series.
Auckland's international tennis tournament, opening the season with some of the world's top players.
A festival of world-class mountain biking, with slopestyle, downhill and big air in Rotorua's redwoods.
Thousands of cyclists ride around Lake Taupō in New Zealand's biggest cycling event.
New Zealand's national golf championship, played at Millbrook near Arrowtown.
A marathon through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, finishing in Queenstown.
International snow sport on New Zealand's mountains, from snowboard and freeski World Cups to para events. Organisers wound it up in 2025, though some World Cup events may still come to Wānaka.
Run or ride through the high-country stations between Wānaka and Arrowtown.