New Zealand is home to some of the most interesting music, food, and traditional festivals, such as Rhythm and Vines, the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, and the spectacular CubaDupa. These festivals are a unique and powerful fusion of indigenous history, rich multicultural diversity, and an appreciation for the outdoors.
In this blog, we will explore some mainstream and some underground festivals in New Zealand that tourists can attend while vacationing in the highlands.
AUM New Year’s Festival
The AUM Festival is a conscious, family-friendly event focused on arts, music, camping, and community. Over 100 artists perform across 4 stages over 3 days and nights to celebrate the New Year. It emphasizes creativity, well-being, sustainability, and connection, featuring diverse music, workshops, and performance art. It is one of the oldest and longest-running music festivals in New Zealand.
- Location: South of Auckland
- Date & Time: December 30 – January 2 (New Year’s Eve/Day)
- Highlights: Three days of camping and music across multiple stages; wellness workshops (yoga, meditation); installation art and light displays; family-friendly activities
- Specialties: Its focus on environmental sustainability, family inclusion, and creating a safe, conscious space for creative expression over three days.
- Pro Tip: This is a fully immersive camping experience; pack all necessary supplies, including food and water, for the multi-day event.
Rhythm and Vines
Rhythm and Vines is a world-renowned New Year’s Eve music festival, famous for being one of the first major festivals globally to welcome the new year. It attracts large international and local crowds with top-tier musical acts across various genres. Some big names on the music lineup are Kid Cudi, Wilkinson, Notion, and Sam Cullen and his band.
- Location:Waiohika Estate Vineyard, Gisborne
- Date & Time: December 29 – January 1 (New Year’s Eve/Day)
- Highlights: World-class international and local music acts; camping among the vineyards; being the first place in the world to see the New Year’s sunrise
- Specialties: The iconic setting in a vineyard and the unique prestige of being the ‘First in the World’ to celebrate the New Year.
- Pro Tip: Book your accommodation and transportation well in advance, as Gisborne becomes extremely busy during this time.
Pasifika Festival
The Pasifika Festival is the largest annual Pacific festival of its kind in the world, celebrating the cultures and traditions of 11 Pacific Island nations. The Auckland park is divided into 11 villages, each dedicated to an island nation, featuring food, crafts, and nonstop performances. You can expect interactive games, workshops (ukulele), films, and cultural experiences.
- Location:Western Springs Park, Auckland
- Date & Time: March
- Highlights: 11 distinct Pacific Island villages (e.g., Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands); traditional arts and crafts; authentic Pacific Island food; dynamic cultural performances
- Specialties: Its scale and scope in showcasing the diversity and unity of the Pacific Island nations living in New Zealand.
- Pro Tip: Bring plenty of cash for the food stalls and wear comfortable shoes—it takes a whole day to explore all 11 villages!
CubaDupa
CubaDupa is a vibrant, immersive street festival that transforms Wellington’s iconic Cuba Street precinct into a massive outdoor celebration of arts and culture. The event features street music, theatre, dance, installations, and culinary experiences. This is one of the best festivals in New Zealand, where you can take your kids for a blast.
- Location:Cuba Street and surrounding streets, Wellington
- Date & Time: 28th and 29th March
- Highlights: Hundreds of unique street performances; surprise pop-up stages; creative street food stalls; elaborate costumes and parades
- Specialties: The highly immersive, spontaneous, and interactive nature of the performances that spill out from every corner, transforming the entire neighborhood.
- Pro Tip: Embrace the chaos! Don’t rely on a strict schedule; let the sounds and sights of the street guide you to the next hidden performance.
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Matariki Festival
The Matariki Festival celebrates the Māori New Year, marked by the rising of the Matariki (Pleiades) star cluster. It is a period of remembrance, celebration of the present, and planning for the future, featuring cultural performances, art, educational workshops, and community feasts.
- Location: Nationwide, with major celebrations in Auckland and other key centers
- Date & Time: Mid-June to Mid-July (coinciding with the star cluster’s visibility)
- Highlights: Traditional hāngi (earth oven) feasts; stargazing and astronomy workshops; cultural storytelling, and kapa haka performances
- Specialties: The focus on indigenous astronomy and culture, marking the only official public holiday tied to a Māori event.
- Pro Tip: Try to attend a public hāngi (traditional feast); it is a delicious and communal way to experience Māori hospitality.
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Hokitika Wildfoods Festival
The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is a legendary, unconventional food festival where the focus is on foraging, local produce, and bizarre culinary experimentation. It showcases the unique and often challenging food sources of the West Coast. There are several music performances, feral fashion (a wearable arts style competition), and unusual food items like lamb’s testicles and horse semen.
- Location:Hokitika, West Coast, South Island
- Date & Time: March
- Highlights: Unique and daring delicacies (huhu grubs, deer velvet, mountain oysters, stallion semen shots); local West Coast cuisine; live entertainment
- Specialties: Its commitment to the “wild” aspect of food, offering visitors the chance to try things they won’t find anywhere else in the world.
- Pro Tip: Go with an open mind and a sense of adventure! The food is often better than it sounds, but the experience is truly unique.
Wellington on a Plate (WOAP)
Wellington on a Plate is the ultimate festival for foodies, showcasing Wellington’s acclaimed culinary scene. Over several weeks, restaurants offer special festival menus, burgers, cocktails, and unique food events. It is one of the best food festivals in New Zealand, where you can try some unique flavors.
- Location: Various restaurants, bars, and venues throughout Wellington
- Date & Time: August
- Highlights: Fixed-price festival dining menus; innovative “Dine Wellington” specials; the highly competitive “Burger Wellington” competition; food-themed events and classes
- Specialties: The concentration of high-quality dining experiences and the creativity of the Wellington chefs who design unique concepts for the festival.
- Pro Tip: Book your “Dine Wellington” tables and “Burger Wellington” spots early, and use public transport—parking is challenging, and you’ll want to enjoy the cocktails.
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Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
Started in 1985, the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is New Zealand’s original and longest-running wine festival, held in the country’s most famous wine region. It features world-class wine tastings, gourmet food, and celebrity chef demonstrations. It celebrates over 160 wine companies in Marlborough and their contribution to the world of oenology.
- Location:Brancott Vineyard, Blenheim, Marlborough
- Date & Time: February
- Highlights: Tasting hundreds of wines from Marlborough’s premier wineries; gourmet food stalls and pairings; live music and entertainment; cooking demonstrations
- Specialties: The setting in a beautiful vineyard and the opportunity to taste the finest Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir directly from the source.
- Pro Tip: Utilize the shuttle bus services provided to and from Blenheim and other local towns; do not plan to drive yourself.
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Snow Machine Festival
The Snow Machine Festival is a unique multi-day event blending an alpine holiday with a world-class music festival. It features multiple stages set up both on the slopes during the day (après sets) and at a main arena in Queenstown town center by night, offering an immersive experience for snow enthusiasts and partygoers.
- Location:Queenstown and the ski fields of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak
- Date & Time: TBC, 2026
- Highlights: Live DJ and electronic/pop/rock acts on custom-built mountain stages; main arena performances in Queenstown; unique events like themed street parties and the “Polar Bare” ski run
- Specialties: Its dual nature as an adventure holiday and a music festival, allowing attendees to ski/snowboard all day and party with major international acts by night, all against a spectacular alpine backdrop.
- Pro Tip: Look into the package deals that bundle your festival ticket, lift passes, and accommodation, as this often offers the best value for the multi-day experience.
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WOMAD Festival (World of Music, Arts and Dance)
WOMAD is an internationally renowned three-day festival that celebrates global culture through music, arts, and dance. It brings performers, artists, and speakers from every corner of the world to New Plymouth. Some of the big global artists to grace the stage are 47Soul, Amaru Tribe, Ana Carla Maza, and Bala Desejo.
- Location:Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Taranaki
- Date & Time: March
- Highlights: Multiple stages featuring international music acts; World of Words (literary and discussion events); Taste the World (cooking demonstrations by the artists); the beautiful park setting
- Specialties: Its genuine focus on cultural exchange and the incredible diversity of acts brought together in a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Pro Tip: Pukekura Park is stunning; take some time away from the stages to walk the grounds and explore the botanical gardens.
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FAQs
What festivals are popular in New Zealand?
Some of the most popular festivals in New Zealand are Māori New Year Matariki, Rhythm & Vines/Alps, WOMAD and the quirky Hokitika Wildfoods Festival.
Which are the best festivals & events celebrated in New Zealand?
New Zealand is home to the best diverse festivals and events, such as Rhythm & Vines. Matariki (Māori New Year) and the massive Pasifika Festival, alongside food/wine events (Marlborough) and arts festivals (WOMAD, Cuba Dupa).
What is the best time to visit New Zealand?
The best time to visit New Zealand is summer (Dec-Feb) so you can enjoy the warm weather for beaches, hiking, and festivals. If you wish to add some specific festivals in New Zealand, you can plan your trip based on their dates.
What is the most celebrated holiday in New Zealand?
One of the most celebrated days in New Zealand is Matariki (Māori New Year). It is a national event with dawn ceremonies, hāngī (earth oven) feasts, music, and community gatherings, becoming a unifying cultural celebration.
