New Zealand isn’t just about breathtaking landscapes and friendly locals – Kiwis also love a good festival. From food and wine extravaganzas to cultural celebrations and music under the stars, there’s always something happening year-round. If you’re thinking of visiting or moving down under, make sure to time your trip around one of these amazing festivals. Here are some of the Kiwi festivals you can’t miss, each offering a unique taste of life and culture.
Pasifika Festival (Auckland, March)
Held every March in Auckland’s Western Springs Park, Pasifika is the world’s largest celebration of Pacific Island cultures. Over two days, the park transforms into a collection of “villages” showcasing 11 Pacific Island nations through music, dance, and delicious food. You can wander from the Samoa village to Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and more – each with its own stage and authentic market stalls.
With free entry and a welcoming vibe, Pasifika draws huge crowds (often over 200,000 people) and is the place to experience the vibrant cultures of the South Pacific in one lively weekend. Don’t forget to try some kokoda (Fijian ceviche) or a fresh niu (drink from a green coconut) as you soak up the performances!
Matariki – Māori New Year (June/July, Nationwide)
Matariki is a special two-week celebration in mid-winter when the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) rises, marking the Māori New Year. It’s now an official public holiday in New Zealand and a time for reflection, feasting, and family. Communities across the country celebrate with dawn karakia (ceremonies), night markets, light shows and kapa haka (traditional Māori performance).
In Auckland, for example, a Matariki Festival spans two weeks with cultural events, storytelling, and even a public light show downtown. It’s a magical time to experience indigenous Māori culture – think of sharing kai (food) with locals, listening to myths of the stars, and watching fireworks or lanterns brighten the winter sky. Matariki is all about honouring the past and looking to the future, and it offers visitors a genuine insight into New Zealand’s heritage and heart.
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival (West Coast, March)
Feeling adventurous? Head to Hokitika on the South Island’s West Coast every March for this wild and wacky food festival. The Wildfoods Festival is a celebration of the West Coast’s unique lifestyle, where you can sample a very wide array of unusual local delicacies. One minute you might be munching on succulent venison or whitebait fritters, the next you could dare yourself to try a huhu grub or even more exotic bites.
This long-running festival (over 30 years strong) turns the small town into a buzzing carnival of food stalls, craft beer tents, and live music. Thousands of foodies and thrill-seekers show up to experience tastes you won’t find anywhere else. It’s all served up with a hearty dose of West Coast hospitality and “premier entertainment” on stage. If you’ve ever wanted to brag that you ate a bug in New Zealand, Hokitika is your chance!
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival (Marlborough, February)
In the sunny vineyards of Marlborough, every February sees New Zealand’s oldest wine festival uncorked in style. In fact, Marlborough’s Wine & Food Festival is Aotearoa’s longest-running festival of any kind, and it’s world-famous for its wines, gourmet food, and laid-back atmosphere. Join thousands of wine lovers on a gorgeous summer day to sample the region’s renowned Sauvignon Blanc right where it’s grown, along with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and more from dozens of local wineries.
Top chefs and food stalls serve up a diverse range of dishes, from fresh Marlborough mussels to artisanal cheeses that pair perfectly with your wine. There’s live music grooving in the background, picnic blankets on the grass, and a real celebratory buzz in the air. Held in a vineyard or estate (often the Renwick area in the heart of wine country), this festival is basically a must-do for foodies and vino enthusiasts. Sip, taste, and dance – you’ll quickly see why Marlborough’s is the wine festival all others are measured against in NZ.
Rhythm and Vines (Gisborne, New Year’s Eve)
If you want to be among the first in the world to ring in the New Year, head to Gisborne for Rhythm and Vines. This legendary three-day music festival over New Year’s (December 29–31) takes place at a vineyard estate on the east coast, where the sun rises first. It’s actually known as New Zealand’s biggest music festival, attracting around 20,000 partygoers who camp out among the vines to enjoy an international lineup of DJs and bands.
Picture yourself dancing outdoors to global music acts, then at dawn on January 1st, watching the first sunrise of the year crest over the hills – it’s a goosebump moment you won’t forget. The vibe is youthful, energetic, and friendly; by day you can chill in the sun with acoustic sets, and by night the stages light up with everything from EDM to rock. Beautiful vineyard scenery, beach trips in the afternoon, and three days of solid musical bliss – Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne is the ultimate Kiwi summer festival experience.
WOMAD NZ (New Plymouth, March)
WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance) – Each March, New Plymouth’s beautiful Bowl of Brooklands park becomes a global village for the WOMAD festival. This world-renowned festival offers a unique blend of live performances, workshops, and global cuisine, all in a stunning outdoor setting. Over three days, artists from all corners of the globe share their music and culture – you might groove to a Cuban salsa band in one set, then be entranced by Indian classical musicians or a Celtic folk group next.
With multiple stages and interactive workshops (yes, you can learn dance or drumming from the performers themselves), WOMAD is as participatory as it is entertaining. It’s super family-friendly too: you’ll see everyone from toddlers to grandparents dancing together on the lawn. Food stalls serve up international flavours (think pad thai, curry, churros – a true foodie adventure). The whole festival has a chilled, inclusive vibe that celebrates diversity and unity through music. Set in a natural amphitheatre around a lake, under the summer stars of Taranaki, WOMAD will leave you with a heart full of aroha (love) for the world and for New Zealand’s vibrant arts scene.
Napier Art Deco Festival (Napier, February)
Step back in time to the Roaring ’20s and ’30s at Napier’s famous Art Deco Festival each February. This is one of New Zealand’s largest and most iconic events, attracting tens of thousands of people from around the world. Napier – a seaside city rebuilt in stunning Art Deco style after a 1931 earthquake – literally turns itself into a living movie set. For one fabulous weekend, over 200 events bring the jazz age to life: there are vintage car parades down the Marine Parade, Great Gatsby picnic parties, swing dance lessons, outdoor concerts, and even WWI-era planes doing flyovers.
Everyone dresses in period costume (think flapper dresses, boaters and straw hats, pinstripe suits) so you’ll feel like you’ve time-travelled. The whole region joins the fun, with speakeasy-themed dinners, antique fairs, and people dancing the Charleston in the streets. It’s a truly unique festival where the town itself is the star attraction – Napier’s beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture and the enthusiasm of locals create an atmosphere of pure 1930s glamour and nostalgia. If you love history, fashion, or just a great dress-up party, you’ll adore the Art Deco Festival.
Festival Tips
- Book Early: New Zealand’s top festivals are hugely popular, so be sure to grab your tickets and book accommodation well in advance.
- Prepare for All Seasons: Kiwi weather can be unpredictable – sunny one moment, rainy the next – so check the forecast and pack layers.
- Get Stuck In: Embrace the full festival spirit by trying the food, joining workshops, and soaking up the local culture.
New Zealand’s festivals offer a fantastic glimpse into the country’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and welcoming communities. Whether you’re dancing at a vineyard, feasting on local seafood, or celebrating under the stars, these events will leave you with unforgettable memories. Book your adventure today!
Contact The Visa Bureau for expert help with your New Zealand travel and visa arrangements. We’re here to make sure your Kiwi adventure (and festival-hopping journey) is smooth and stress-free. Get in touch with us today and start packing your bags – the next great New Zealand festival is waiting for you!
Credit for pictures:
Photo by Geoff McKay, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.