Events Calendar

January

Big Day Out Auckland The biggest, loudest rock music festival of the year, with top local and international acts. www.bigdayout.com
Harvest Hawke's Bay Wine Festival Hawke's Bay A celebration of summer, wine and food, held in this sunny winegrowing district annually. www.harvesthawkesbay.co.nz
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta Auckland A festival day of sailing and celebration on the Waitemata Harbour. www.regatta.org.nz
World Buskers Festival Christchurch A ten-day frenzy of street theatre, clowns, acrobats and much, much more. Indoors and outdoors, night and daytime events. www.worldbuskersfestival.com

February

Speight’s Coast to Coast West Coast – Canterbury New Zealand’s iconic multi-sport event sees competitors cycle, kayak and run from the West Coast to the East Coast of the South Island. www.coasttocoast.co.nz
Art Deco Festival Napier Built in Art Deco style following an earthquake in 1931, Napier is the perfect place to celebrate the exciting razzmatazz style of Art Deco. www.artdeconapier.com
NZI Sevens Wellington Fast becoming an iconic event, the Rugby Sevens competition draws costume-bedecked fans from all over the world every year. www.nzisevens.co.nz

March

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival Hokitika An unforgettable event featuring totally unique foods and live entertainment. www.wildfoods.co.nz
Ironman New Zealand Taupo One of the nation’s biggest sporting events, attracting competitors from around the world. www.ironman.co.nz
Womad New Plymouth Local and international performers converge on Taranaki every year to take part in the World of Music, Art and Dance. www.womad.co.nz
Pasifika Auckland A kaleidoscope of events celebrating our Pacific roots. Cultural performances and competitions, markets and Pacific-flavoured events. www.aucklandcity.govt.nz

April

V8 Supercars 400 Hamilton Full-on street racing in Hamilton when the central city becomes a racetrack and the supercars come to town. www.itm400.co.nz
National Jazz Festival Tauranga Top local and international acts perform in the city during Easter weekend, in the longest running Southern Hemisphere jazz festival. www.jazz.org.nz

May

Auckland Wine and Food Festival Auckland Auckland celebrates the best in local food and wine in this culinary event on the waterfront. www.aucklandwineandfoodfestival.com
New Zealand International Comedy Festival Various In Auckland, Wellington and on tour. Over 250 international and local comedians. www.comedyfestival.co.nz
Bluff Oyster & Southland Seafood Festival Bluff Celebrating the local delicacy – Bluff Oysters – at the start of the oyster season. www.bluffoysterfest.co.nz

June

New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards Gore Attracting country artists from around the world. www.goldguitars.co.nz
Tai Tokerau Matariki Festival Northland A month of events celebrating the Maori New Year. www.matarikinorthland.co.nz
National Fieldays Hamilton The biggest agricultural event of the year, drawing farmers from around the world. Check out the No. 8 Wire National Art Award. www.fieldays.co.nz
American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Queenstown Celebration of winter attracting thousands of visitors eager to experience dozens of events. www.winterfestival.co.nz

July

New Zealand Mountain Film Festival Wanaka The best high-adrenaline films from around the world: base jumping, kayaking and high-altitude mountaineering. www.mountainfilm.net.nz
Cadbury Chocolate Carnival Dunedin A host of chocolate-flavoured events all over the city brighten up Dunedin's winter. www.chocolatecarnival.co.nz

August

Scallop Festival Whitianga A celebration of Coromandel seafood and cuisine coinciding with the opening of the scallop season. www.scallopfestival.co.nz
Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival Bay of Islands Every year musicians gather from all over New Zealand and beyond for this blend of smooth jazz and sultry blues. www.jazz-blues.co.nz

September

Air New Zealand Fashion Week Auckland This world-class fashion event offers the best of New Zealand's fashion, music and design. www.nzfashionweek.com
Montana World of WearableArt Wellington Amazing wearable creations from New Zealand and abroad presented in an amazing choreographed show. www.worldofwearableart.com

October

Seafest Kaikoura Kaikoura's premier food and wine festival, a celebration of the region's abundance. www.seafest.co.nz
Otago Festival of the Arts Dunedin Dunedin's arts festival features a programme of music, theatre and dance. www.otagofestival.co.nz
Nelson Arts Festival Nelson Celebrate the arts in this famously creative city with 11 days of theatre, dance, music, sculpture and family events. http://festivals.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/festival-home
ASB JazzFest Queenstown Queenstown More than 100 musicians from around the world contribute to a diverse programme of workshops, ticketed concerts and free gigs. www.asbjazzfest.co.nz

November

Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Taupo This 160-kilometre circumnavigation of Lake Taupo is part of the UCI Golden Bike Series – one of the world's top seven rides. www.cyclechallenge.com
Toast Martinborough Wine, Food and Music Festival Martinborough Wine, food and music event set amongst the picturesque vineyards of the Wairarapa. www.toastmartinborough.co.nz
Bike The Lake Rotorua Join the race, cycle around the lake and be in to win an awesome prize! Open to both fun and serious competitors. www.bikethelake.com
NZ Cup & Show Week Christchurch The busiest week on the city’s events calendar, with horse racing, fashion, food and an agricultural show. www.nzcupandshow.co.nz

December

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park Auckland Music under the stars in the Auckland Domain, a very popular family event. www.christmasinthepark.co.nz
Oamaru Victorian Heritage Week Oamaru Practically the whole town gets out and about in period costume in the historic whitestone precinct. www.historicoamaru.co.nz