Things start to heat up on the events calendar this season – from glorious garden events to crazy car capers, food and wine and Steampunk.
Auckland Garden Designfest
Discover the magic of garden design at the Auckland Garden Designfest, a biennial celebration that brings together some of the city’s most inspiring private gardens. This year’s event, held on November 23-24, offers a chance to explore up to 16 beautifully crafted gardens across Auckland.
Wander through a variety of private spaces normally inaccessible to the public, gain insight into the creative process, and meet some of New Zealand’s landscape design elite. Alongside garden entry there is an option for guided bus tours, led by expert landscape architects that include a picnic lunch and refreshments.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply appreciate stunning outdoor spaces, the Garden Designfest offers plenty of inspiration.
The Auckland Garden Designfest is on from November 23-34. Tickets are available at aucklandgardendesignfest.co.nz, any Dove Hospice shop across Auckland, or from the first garden you visit on the festival weekend. All proceeds go to supporting local charities.
Indulge your green thumb at the Auckland Garden Designfest, on from November 23-24.
Steampunk The Thames
Thames, on the Coromandel Peninsula, gets extra interesting for a few days in November with the annual Steampunk Festival. For four days it’s all dancing, prancing, gears and gadgetry, with a calendar busy with colourful celebrations.
With a big emphasis on costumes, Steampunk the Thames kicks off on Thursday November 7 with a meet and greet soirée and moves through the weekend with high teas, a Victorian ball, fashion show, parade and gigs – some ticketed, some free.
Sunday in the Park, a family event on the last day of the festival, features market stalls, food vendors, music, teapot racing – involving remote-controlled contraptions – and crowd favourite, Punk My Pet.
Steampunk The Thames runs from November 7-10 in Thames, Coromandel. See steampunkthethames.co.nz for more.
Visit a world of Victorian fantasy at Steampunk The Thames, November 7-10.
Harvest Hawke’s Bay Wine & Food Festival
The Hawke’s Bay region is renowned for being a stellar producer of fantastic food and fine wine. This November you can get a real taste of the region’s delights at Harvest Hawke’s Bay Wine & Food Festival.
Celebrating its second year in 2024, the festival takes place on November 23 in a stunning olive grove setting in the Tukituki valley at the foot of Te Mata peak. A picnic-style festival, tickets are limited to just 2,200 to ensure festivalgoers can enjoy a relaxed and intimate day out.
This year, a mix of well-known and boutique products will be the star ingredients in specially prepared fare, from Hohepa cheese and Arataki honey to locally grown produce.
Many local eateries will create signature dishes for the event, including Black Barn Bistro, Mister Ds, Deliciosa and Cellar 495. And participating wineries will showcase the best of the region’s terroir with tipples available from Collaboration Wines, Decibel Wines, Smith & Sheth, Te Awanga Estate, Trinity Hill and many more.
Harvest Hawke’s Bay Wine & Food Festival is on in the Tukituki Valley on November 23. Limited tickets are available from Eventfinda. For more information, see harvesthawkesbay.com
Harvest Hawke's Bay Wine & Food Festival takes place in the beautiful Tukituki Valley on November 23.
Nazcar LEMONS
This November, Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell will be home to racing with a zesty twist. Nazcar LEMONS takes over the track on November 2, with the debut showcase of grassroots racing. Costumed teams and crappy cars will compete in a 9-to-5 endurance event that promises to be as colourful as it is fun.
“Cromwell is hailed as the ‘fruit capital’ of New Zealand, so it’s fitting that Nazcar LEMONS should become part of the local diet,” event organiser Dr Jacob Simonsen says.
At Nazcar LEMONS, the emphasis will be on fun, safe and memorable motorsport, with free entry for spectators.
Expect seasoned drivers competing against newbies, existing race cars, and some cobbled together home-builds taking the track for a day of guaranteed hilarity, antics and silly penalties.
Nazcar LEMONS is on November 2 at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell. For more information, see nazcar.nz
Nazcar LEMONS at Highland Motorsport Park in Cromwell is a guaranteed fun day out on November 2.
Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival
The Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival is back, offering a vibrant fusion of lush gardens and captivating art. Held over four days – from November 14 to 17 – this much-anticipated event showcases the region’s finest private gardens and local artistic talent.
As you explore over 60 gardens located across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, you’ll also discover sculptures, paintings and installations from local artists. And, at the festival’s hub, Bloom in the Bay, you’ll be treated to live music, food stalls, family-friendly entertainment and even more art and garden displays.
Whether you’re a garden enthusiast, art lover, or simply looking to support the local community, the Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival promises a memorable experience.
Tickets are available online at gardenandartfestival.co.nz or pop into Palmers Bethlehem to grab your festival pass.
Explore 60 beautiful gardens at the Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival, on between November 14-17.
We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.
Explore more from AA Directions magazine while you're here:
- Professional mermaid Sacha Williamson shares her underwater adventures.
- How to stay safe when riding an e-scooter.
- Explore the secret attractions of the Wairarapa region.
