Experience the full creative range of Aotearoa New Zealand: from celebrating International Hobbit™ Day to attending the world’s premier wearable art festival.
Auckland 9 April – 3 May; Wellington 9 May – 24 May; Christchurch 30 May – 13 June
Musical
Celebrate the magic of winter at Lōemis, a unique arts and culture festival in Wellington. Inspired by ancient European midwinter traditions, the festival features light installations, fire sculptures, music, storytelling and creative performances. Wander through illuminated gardens, discover pop-up performances and enjoy a programme of art and cultural experiences that mark the turning of the seasons. For visitors seeking a distinctive winter event in New Zealand, Lōemis offers a captivating blend of light, creativity and community.
Held each October in the vibrant city of Nelson, the Nelson Arts Festival celebrates theatre, music, dance, comedy and visual arts. As one of New Zealand’s longest-running arts festivals, it brings together local and international performers across galleries, theatres and outdoor venues, offering visitors a lively glimpse into the region’s thriving creative scene.
Each summer, Pukekura Park in New Plymouth comes alive during the TSB Festival of Lights. One of New Zealand’s most loved summer events, the free festival features illuminated light displays, live music and cultural performances set among the park’s lakes, gardens and winding paths. Visitors can explore the colourful installations after dark while enjoying a lively festival atmosphere in the heart of Taranaki.
Celebrated annually on 22nd September, International Hobbit™ Day marks the shared birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved characters, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. There are many ways to celebrate Hobbit Day – second breakfasts, a pint of ale, going barefoot – all are worthy, but for many fans, the ultimate party takes place at Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours. Partygoers take refreshment at The Green Dragon Inn before sitting down to a feast fit for a hobbit. The day ends with a tour of the former filmset, which comprises 44 hobbit-sized houses, two fully fledged hobbit holes, and a lake with a picturesque mill. You must imagine the rest: there are no people dressed as Hobbits, waving and smiling Disney-style, here (unless you count the occasional visitor).
The Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, held biennially in Wellington, is the nation's premier celebration of creativity and culture. As New Zealand's largest arts festival, it presents an ambitious, diverse program that showcases the finest international talent alongside groundbreaking local performing arts. This essential event provides a spectacular opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of New Zealand's culture across performing arts, literature, and visual arts.
Te Matatini is Aotearoa New Zealand's premier Māori performing arts festival. Held every two years, this prestigious event brings together the country’s top performers to compete for the coveted title of national champion. Competition is fierce, earning the event a reputation as the "Olympics of kapa haka". In the Māori language, kapa haka means performing arts.
Pasifika, the world's largest Polynesian festival, celebrates the art, music, dance, food, and traditions of the Pacific Islands.
Each year, the typically quiet farming community of Ōamaru undergoes an incredible transformation for its annual Steampunk Festival. Following a grand opening ceremony, the town buzzes with a busy lineup of events. Prepare for teapot racing, suitcase decorating contests, and parasol duelling, alongside many other whimsical mechanical marvels and performances.
