Aotearoa Explore

Explore festivals and cultural events

A nationwide overview of ongoing, upcoming, and recently closed festivals and events.

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Kingston Calling festival

Kingston Calling festival

Feb 19-20, 2027 Mount Maunganui
Upcoming

Kingston Calling is a two-day music and culture festival scheduled for February 19 and 20, 2027, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. The festival features a lineup of international reggae...

Music festival Culture Festival +5
Electric Avenue

Electric Avenue

Feb 26-27, 2027 Christchurch
Upcoming

Electric Avenue is a major two-day music festival held annually in Hagley Park, Christchurch. Scheduled for February 26–27, 2027, the 11th edition of the event features a multi-genre lineup headlined by international...

Music festival Electronic Music +6

Taiohi Writing Competition

Aug 1, 2026 - Feb 1, 2027 Auckland
Ongoing

The Taiohi Writing Competition is a literary initiative for young people in Auckland, New Zealand, taking place from August 1, 2026, to February 1, 2027. Organized by Auckland Council Libraries, the event...

Writing Competition Youth Event +4
New Zealand Young Writers Festival 2026

New Zealand Young Writers Festival 2026

Sep 20 - Oct 4, 2026 Dunedin
Ongoing

The New Zealand Young Writers Festival 2026 is a literary gathering in Dunedin (Ōtepoti) that celebrates and supports emerging authors. The program features a two-week writer's residency, an intensive wānaka for selected...

Literary Festival Writing Workshop +5
New Zealand Improv Festival

New Zealand Improv Festival

Oct 2-10, 2026 Wellington
Upcoming

The New Zealand Improv Festival (NZIF) is set to return to Wellington from October 2 to 10, 2026. This festival features over a week of live, unscripted performances and workshops, primarily based...

Improv Theatre +4
Raglan Arts Weekend (RAW)

Raglan Arts Weekend (RAW)

Oct 2-26, 2026 Raglan
Upcoming

The Raglan Arts Weekend (RAW) is a long-running cultural event in Raglan, New Zealand, featuring a self-guided trail of 48 local artist studios. The festival begins with a major Preview Exhibition at...

Art Trail Exhibition +5
Outdoor Expo

Outdoor Expo

Oct 2-4, 2026 Canterbury Region
Upcoming

The Outdoor Expo is an exhibition at Canterbury Agricultural Park, New Zealand, from October 2 to 4, 2026. It will showcase over 250 brands dedicated to outdoor pursuits like boating, camping, fishing,...

Outdoor Expo Exhibition +7

‘It’s in the Ballot’ Rangitīkei Electorate Show

Oct 12, 2026 Levin
Upcoming

The ‘It’s in the Ballot’ Rangitīkei Electorate Show is a public forum scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026, in Levin, New Zealand. Held at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō (Levin Community Centre), this...

Electoral Forum Politics +4
Equifest 2026

Equifest 2026

Oct 16-18, 2026 Hamilton
Upcoming

Equifest 2026 is a national equestrian festival held at Hamilton's Claudelands Events Centre from October 16–18. The event features elite competitions, educational masterclasses, and an extensive trade show, alongside the 4CYTE™ Festival...

Equestrian Horse Riding +8

Kaimai Express

Oct 18, 2026 Tauranga
Upcoming

The Kaimai Express is a public inter-regional rail excursion running between Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga. Scheduled for October 18, 2026, the event is organized by rail advocacy groups to demonstrate public demand...

Railway Excursion Transportation +4