Celebrations and Holidays!

Keep up to date with all of the annual events and holidays around New Zealand with this handy guide.

365 Reasons to Celebrate! Say Hi to Annual Events!

January

New Year’s Day (Jan 1)

• Marks the start of the new calendar year.

February

Waitangi Day (Feb 6)

• Commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Auckland Arts Festival

• Celebrate performing arts, music, and visual arts. 

Wellington Sevens

• Part of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Auckland Pride Festival (In March for other big cities)

• City-wide LGBTQ+ festival and celebration.

March

Christchurch Arts Festival

• Showcases a range of artistic performances and exhibitions.

Ironman NZ

• Annual full-distance triathlon in Taupo.

Pasifika Festival

• Auckland celebrates Pacific Island cultures with music, dance, food, and crafts.

April

ANZAC Day (Apr 25)

• Honors Australian and NZ Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who fought and died in WW1.

International Antarctic Centre Winter Festival

• Christchurch celebrates Antarctic culture and exploration.

May

New Zealand International Film Festival

• Features a range of international and local films with Q&A sessions with filmmakers.

Auckland Writers Festival

• Features local and international writers, with a week of readings, discussions, and workshops.

Bluff Oyster and Food Festival

• A Southland celebration with food stalls, live music, and competitions.

June and July

King’s Birthday (1st Monday in June)

• Celebrates the official birthday of the reigning monarch. 

Winter Festival (June-July)

• Welcomes the start of winter with live music, skating, fireworks, and more. 

Matariki (June/July)

• Maori New Year celebration. 

Wellington Film Festival

• Celebrates films from around the world. 

National Agricultural Fieldays

• Agricultural event showing off innovations, machinery, and lifestyles.

August

New Zealand Fashion Week

• Highlights NZ and international fashion with runway shows and industry panels.

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival

• Celebrates food experiences with exotic food tastings and live entertainment.

September

Auckland Heritage Festival

• Celebrates Auckland’s history and heritage with tours, exhibitions, and cultural performances. 

Balloons over Waikato

• Hot air balloon festival in Hamilton. 

Whitianga Oceans Festival

• Celebrates seafood with a range of food, live music, and entertainment.

October

Diwali Festival

• Hindu festival of lights with cultural performances, traditional food, and light displays. 

Queenstown International Marathon

• One of NZ’s most scenic marathon courses with a marathon, half-marathon, and 10k race.

November

Auckland Marathon (Late Oct, Early Nov)

• Annular marathon and half-marathon. 

New Zealand International Comedy Festival

• In Auckland and Wellington, to showcase comedians and comedy shows from around the world. 

Martinborough Fair

• A large market featuring crafts, food, and live music. 

December

Christmas Day (Dec 25)

• Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with family gatherings, festive meals, and public events.

Boxing Day (Dec 26)

• Traditionally, a day for giving to those in need and enjoying post-Christmas sales. 

New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)

• Marks the end of the calendar year and the start of the new year.