Mainly for our own purposes, but also in case anyone else finds it useful, here are festivals and fun things in NZ, arranged by season and region. I’ll keep adding to it as I find more – the weirder the better in my book!
Northern North Island (Taupō northward)
Spring (Sept-Nov)
- Ocean’s Festival – Whitianga
- NZ Motorcycle Show – Auckland
- Steampunk Festival – Thames
Summer (Dec-Feb)
- Sound Splash – Raglan
- Seafood Festival – Auckland
- Dimension Festival – Northland
- Laneway Festival – Auckland
- Splore – Auckland(ish)
- Kawhia Kai – Hamilton(ish)
- Pride – Auckland
- Art Deco Festival – Napier
- Rhythm and Vines – Gisborne
Autumn (Mar-May)
- Pasifika Festival – Auckland
- Balloons Over Waikato – Hamilton
- Auckland Arts Festival – Auckland
- International Comedy Festival – Auckland
- Auckland Writers Festival – Auckland
- The Great NZ Muster – Hamilton
Winter (Jun-Aug)
- Birdman Festival – Russell
- Matariki Festival – Auckland
Southern North Island (Turangi southward)
Spring (Sept-Nov)
- WOW – Wellington
- Taumarunui Garden Festival – Taumarunui
- Vintage Market – Wellington
- Palmy Drag Fest – Palmerston North
- Kāpiti Coast Art Trail – Kāpiti Coast
- NZ Tattoo and Art Festival – New Plymouth
- Shemozzle Huntaway festival – Hunterville
- The Mudder – Marton
- International Ukulele Festival – Wellington
Summer (Dec-Feb)
- Gardens Magic – Wellington
- Highland Games – Turakina
- Gumboot Day – Taihape
- Market Day – Marton
- Kiwiburn – Rangitīkei
Autumn (Mar-May)
- Womad Taranaki – New Plymouth
- Cuba Dupa – Wellington
- International Comedy Festival – Wellington
- Harvest festival – Marton
Winter (Jun-Aug)
- Handmade – Wellington
- Loemis Festival – Wellington
- Festival of Christmas – Greytown
- Matariki – Wellington
Northern South Island (Christchurch northward)
Spring (Sept-Nov)
- Greymouth Motorcycle Street Race – Greymouth
- Heritage Festival – Christchurch
Summer (Dec-Feb)
- World Buskers’ Festival – Christchurch
Autumn (Mar-May)
- Wild Foods Festival – Hokitika
- Two Minds Festival – Christchurch
Winter (Jun-Aug)
- Illuminate – Nelson
Southern South Island (Ashburton southward)
Spring (Sept-Nov)
- Snow Machine Festival – Queenstown
Summer (Dec-Feb)
- Rhythm and Alps – Wānaka
- Get Festive – Invercargill
- Revitalise Organic Farm Healing Festival – Southland
- Chinese Cultural Festival – Dunedin
Autumn (Mar-May)
- Wānaka Festival of Colour – Wānaka
- Steampunk Festival – Oamaru
Winter (Jun-Aug)
- Mid Winter Carnival – Dunedin
- Winter Pride – Queenstown
The Wayfaring Path 