Top 10 New Zealand events to attend this spring and summer

Te Wā o te Kōanga – Spring Festival 2024

When: August 31 – September 28, 2024

Where: Wellington Gardens

Of course, you need to welcome the season with a bang. What better way to do that than by attending Te Wā o te Kōanga – the Wellington Spring Festival. As the first flowers of spring appear across the New Zealand landscape, Te Wā o te Kōanga comes alive, celebrating renewal, culture and community. This year’s event kicked off last month with The Art of Ikebana Exhibition and is now halfway through its planned activities. In the final week of the festival, you can catch performances by the Kaiwhakaataata Māra (Garden Performers) at the Bush & Botanic Garden ki Paekākā in Ōtari-Wilton, or see experts compete for the title of Registered Master Landscapers Young Landscaper of the Year 2024.

wellingtongardens.nz/events/te-wa-o-te-koanga-spring-festival

A world of wearable art

When: September 26 – October 13, 2024

Where: TSB Stadium Wellington

At World of Wearable Art, art becomes an interactive experience—ready to fill the arena with oohs and aahs the moment the first model walks the runway.

WOW is a show where artists come together to create a spectacular show that combines theater, art, fashion, music, and performance. The event is often described as a cross between Broadway and Cirque Du Soleil, as dancers, models, acrobats, and an electric atmosphere bring the amazing clothing to life. Think clothes that light up to the beat of the music or outfits that look like they came straight out of a sci-fi movie.

Each year, the show gets bigger and better. This year’s theme is “the mesmerizing state between sleep and wakefulness” and will feature six shows inspired by the 2024 WOW competition sections, which this year include Geometric Abstraction, Crazy Curiosities of the Creature Carnival and Natural World. This year’s event promises new stage design and incredible headliners, including Sharn Te Pou and Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant, and will feature 90 finalist entries.

world wearable art.com

Oktoberfest

When: From September 30 to October 1, 2024

Where: Wellington Waterfront

You don’t have to fly to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest. Just head to Wellington to smell the sizzling sausages, brass bands livening up the atmosphere and New Zealanders drinking frothy local and German beers. This year’s Oktoberfest features Wellington’s best breweries with German-style beers on tap and food stalls serving savory German food like bratwurst, sauerkraut and bretzels. Don’t miss Wellington legends like Das Steinbenders – New Zealand’s most famous Bavarian-style brass band – entertaining the crowds.

oktoberfest.pl

Hobbiton Movie Set Beer Festival 2024

When: November 1-2, 2024

Where: Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata

Known as one of the most popular destinations on the wish list of movie lovers, the Hobbiton Movie Set regularly welcomes hundreds of visitors. However, the warm spring brings a different glow to the iconic set, painting Tolkien’s Middle-earth with a splash of lush green and bright yellow. In addition to discovering its beauty during the spring season, an exciting event held every November brings crowds of fans to Hobbiton during this season: the annual Beer Festival.

This festive event brings together the Hobbiton community at the Green Dragon Inn, where guests can enjoy exclusive beers prepared for the occasion. The county is filled with the sounds of live folk music and festival goers wander through hobbit holes, admiring the twinkling lights of the twilight. There is a sense of joy and wonder in the air, and everyone from Tolkien enthusiasts to craft beer lovers will be able to enjoy this unique experience.

hobbitontours.com/experiences/beer-fest

Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival

When: November 8-9, 2024

Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Craft beer lovers will find Utopia at the Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival. The spring season brings a wealth of ingredients to the breweries, and in turn, we get to sample some of the most unique and delicious beers, each with its own story to tell. While the beer is the star of the show, attendees also rave about the delicious food options. There’s nothing better than a glass of beer in one hand and a handful of exquisite barchow in the other. Enjoy a good beer, complementary food and listen to live music. It’s the perfect opportunity to sit down and catch up with friends and share your appreciation of beer.

dunedinbeerfest.co.nz/festival-info

Rhythm and the Alps & Rhythm and the Vine

When: December 29-31, 2024

Where: Cardrona Valley and Gisborne

Arguably the two most highly anticipated music festivals on the New Zealand calendar, Rhythm and Alps and Rhythm and Vines are twin New Year’s Eve festivals where Kiwis ring in the New Year with the hottest music in the country. Festival-goers are often forced to choose between these two legendary events, either overlooking the alpine landscapes of the South Island or the beautiful vineyards of Gisborne. Becky Hill, Andy C and Shapeshifter headline the R&A line-up, while Ice Spice, Sammy Virji and Meduza headline Vines. As well as multiple stages hosting world-class acts, visitors can also camp at both festivals – and what’s better than a summer camp in New Zealand? Whichever show you decide to buy your tickets for, the atmosphere is guaranteed.

rhythmandalps.co.nz

rhythmivines.co.nz

Northern bass

When: December 29-31, 2024

Where: Kaiwaka

Rumor has it that Northern Bass is planning a stellar lineup this year—one that could potentially be better than RnA and RnV, but we’ll leave that for you to decide. Northern Bass is also inviting guests to ring in the New Year with a series of live music performances. This year’s event will feature over 50 artists, with headliners AMC + Phantom, Andy C + Tonn Piper, Hybrid Minds + Tempza warming up the crowd. Northern Bass is also offering on-site camping for festival goers, complete with picnic tables, food courts, showers, restrooms, and easy access to the stages.

northernbass.co.nz

Sound splash

When: January 17-19, 2025

Where: Raglan

There are several music festivals that take place in New Zealand every summer, but one that New Zealanders of all ages, from teenagers to adults, can enjoy is Soundsplash. This three-day event is known as a rite of passage for young festival-goers who want to get their first taste of summer festivals in New Zealand. This eco-friendly event combines live music, art and culture with full line-ups, performing arts, workshops and great food. Expect a variety of musical acts in a variety of genres, from reggae and electronic to indie rock and hip-hop. The event is also family-friendly, with family camping areas and activities for younger attendees.

soundsplash.co.nz

Pasifika Festival

When: Dates for 2025 to be announced

Where: Auckland

Auckland’s Pasifika Festival brings together the largest celebration of Pacific Island culture in the world. In this celebration of identity, community and culture, the best of 11 Pacific Island nations are showcased through several festival villages – each showcasing their world-class traditional and contemporary performances, soul food, crafts, art and more. In addition to the wealth of entertaining performances, visitors also come to satisfy their love of authentic and traditional cuisine served up at a variety of food stalls. The 2025 festival programme has yet to be announced, but this free entry event is one to look forward to.

aucklandnz.com/pasifika

Marlborough Wine and Food Festival

When: February 8, 2025

Where: Marlborough, New Zealand

This list wouldn’t be complete without indulging our country’s love of food and wine. The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival is the ultimate excuse to feast. Renowned as New Zealand’s largest wine-growing region and home to world-famous Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough is at its best in summer. Visitors have the opportunity to sample award-winning wines where they are grown, paired with dishes that showcase the region’s freshest produce. All while taking in the scenic views of the sun-drenched vineyards of Marlborough.

marlboroughwinefestival.com/home