Get ready for a summer of music, food and culture across New Zealand, with an incredible line-up of events. Whether you're a foodie, an art enthusiast, a motorhead or just looking for a good time – there's something for everyone this summer.
HamLit – 22-23 February | Hamilton
HamLit is New Zealand’s freshest literary festival. Held over the last weekend of February as part of The Hamilton Arts Festival/Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa, HamLit is a celebration of all things bookish.
With a lineup of best-selling Kiwi authors, the festival will present a range of stimulating talks across fiction and non-fiction with opportunities for Q&As and book signings in the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. Karyn Hay will talk to Jude Dobson and Diana Wichtel about their best-selling books; the multi-talented Jennifer Ward-Lealand will kōrero with Monty Soutar and Vincent O’Malley about their most recent works and Miriama Kamo will discuss fiction with Airana Ngarewa and Michelle Rahurahu. Talking foraging and feijoas, Peter Langlands and Kate Evans will serve up some fruitful dialogue and Te Radar will draw life lessons from Matt Heath and former SAS soldier Jamie Pennell.
Whether you're a bookworm or just looking for an interesting day out in a beautiful setting, HamLit will host an enlightening series of conversations.
The Art of Banksy – 28 November to 20 January | Wellington
While Banksy himself might be incognito, there’s no question around the identity of his much-hyped graffiti works.
This summer, The Art of Banksy exhibition comes to Wellington. It’s the world’s largest collection of original and authenticated art by the England-based street artist, political activist and film director whose real name and identity remains the subject of much speculation.
The exhibition that has brought Banksy’s era-defining works to more than 1.5 million visitors in 18 cities worldwide arrives at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre directly from London.
More than 150 artworks will be on display, including the global exclusive of the first Flower Thrower and Girl With Balloon in four different colour variations, including the rare Gold Edition.
The exhibition is not curated or authorised by the artist and will only display authenticated gifted or sold pieces, not replicas or art removed from the street.
The Burt Munro Challenge – 5-9 February | Invercargill
Rev your engines and ready yourselves for the aroma of exhaust: the Southern Hemisphere’s largest motorsport event is hitting Ōtatara, Invercargill in February.
The Burt Munro Challenge comprises five days of rallies, hill climbs, twilight drags, beach racing, sprints and speedway, with spectators welcome. With live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the Burt Munro Challenge is as much about people as it is about bikes.
Following the success of the 2005 movie The World’s Fastest Indian about Kiwi motorcycle legend Burt Munro’s inspirational life, the Southland Motorcycle Club created the Challenge to honour Burt, his ingenuity, determination and love of speed.
The inaugural event was first held in 2006 and crosses parts of the country where Burt once opened throttle, like Ōreti Beach.
TSB Festival of Lights – 21 December to 26 January | New Plymouth
Ignite your summer nights with light installations, live music and an open-air cinema, all part of this year’s TSB Festival of Lights.
For five weeks, New Zealand’s favourite and longest-running light festival will transform the surrounds of New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park against the iconic backdrop of Mount Taranaki.
Fun for the whole family, there’s a vibrant schedule of free entertainment including Festival Kids, accessible tours and a New Year's Eve event to ring in 2025.
The TSB Festival of Lights runs from 8.30pm to 11pm every night; 8.30pm to 12.30am New Year’s Eve.
Pasifika – 8-9 March | Auckland
Music, soulful dance and tantalising food will once again delight attendees as the iconic Pasifika Festival returns to Western Springs Park for a celebration of all things Pacific.
The festival’s eight villages will showcase 11 Pacific Island nations with world-class traditional and contemporary performances, traditional food and much more.
Bring the magafaoa (family) together for a weekend of fresh beats and favourite tunes, as well as over a hundred delicious local food and independent craft stalls.
Just next door to Western Springs Park, MOTAT is also celebrating Pacific culture with free interactive games, workshops (like coconut shaving), ukelele lessons, films, performances, and more.
Repco Beach Hop – 26-30 March |Coromandel Peninsula
Classic beauties will be painting the town red – and all colours retro and wonderful – at the annual rock n’ roll festival, Repco Beach Hop.
New Zealand’s number one nostalgia festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary in March when thousands of classic cars, caravans, motorbikes and trucks from pre-1972 take to the seaside town of Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula.
The week-long event includes shows like the Cool Car Classic, Pre ’49 and Pickup Trucks, as well as everything the golden era is best known for: music, culture, fashion and dancing.
The festival has grown from 4,000 to about 100,000 participants since its launch in 2001, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. All proceeds from vehicle entries are donated to emergency services in the area; public entry is free.
New Zealand Antique and Classic Boat Show – 1-2 March | Nelson Lakes
Those who love the design of classic yachts, motorboats and dinghies know exactly where to go to view these beauties on the water: the Nelson Lakes annual Antique and Classic Boat Show.
In what could almost be mistaken for scenes along the French Riviera, St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes National Park will be taken back to an era of glamour and romance over the two-day festival.
The event – this year celebrating its 25th anniversary – includes on-land boat and memorabilia displays of more than 150 vessels built from 1900 onwards, on-water activities and races between craft ranging from jet boats to rowing skiffs.
Kathmandu Coast to Coast – 7-8 February | Christchurch
Multisport athletes gather on the black sand of Kūmara Beach on the West Coast before setting off on a gruelling course which traverses the width of the South Island, finishing at Christchurch’s New Brighton Beach.
Navigating rugged and challenging landscapes, braided rivers and the Canterbury Plains on foot, bike and kayak, most competitors complete the course over two days with an overnight camp. Although the One Day World Champion race is where the heartiest of athletes accomplish it in close to 11 hours.
One of the world’s longest-running multisport events (even older than the Hawaiian Ironman) the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has seen more than 20,000 people from weekend warriors to world champion athletes complete it over 40 years.
Art Deco Festival – 13-16 February | Napier
The razzle-dazzle of the Art Deco Festival is like stepping back in time to an era of glitzy soirees, jazz gigs and after-dinner cocktails.
The four-day immersive event is a feast for the senses, comprising car and walking tours, vintage games, movie nights, wine tasting, family activities and more.
Light-hearted and lots of fun, the festival also marks a poignant hat-tip to the resilience and spirit of the Hawke’s Bay community who, in the aftermath of the devastating 1931 earthquake, rolled up their sleeves and rebuilt Napier City and created the Art Deco Capital that is celebrated today.
Toast Martinborough – 17-20 January | Wairarapa
Raise a toast to a much-loved celebration of exceptional New Zealand wines, fine food, and summer tunes amongst the vines.
For the past 30 years Toast Martinborough has celebrated the region’s world-class vino and includes eight boutique wineries each offering exceptional food, drink and live music along the picturesque 2.5km ‘Festival Road’.
With the 2025 festival taking place over Wellington Anniversary weekend, festivities will be extended from Friday January 17 through to Monday January 20. Cheers to that!
Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival – 8 March | Marlborough
If kaimoana isn’t your jam, then you may want to skip this one. Otherwise, read on because the Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival is back for another year!
Savour the flavours of the sea with more than 40 food stalls and try your hand at mussel opening competitions, including an attempt at the Guinness World Record.
Kiwi singing sensations The Black Seeds will headline, while celebrity chef Nadia Lim shares her culinary secrets alongside cooking demonstrations from other local experts. There are plenty of activities to keep children entertained, and opportunities to learn about the local seafood industry in Havelock known as the New Zealand Green Shell Mussel Capital.
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Explore more from AA Directions magazine while you're here:
- A recent retiree and a young professional both test drive the new hybrid Suzuki Swift.
- Learning the artform of calligraphy lets you create beautiful keepsakes.
- Discover art deco architecture, great food and exceptional wine in Hawke's Bay.
