Warm your spirits with one of these fun events taking place around the country.
TE RAMAROA – LIGHT NELSON (9-13 JULY)
Nelson’s beloved winter light festival is back with a new name – Te Ramaroa – as well as new dates and locations. Te Ramaroa will illuminate the city with dozens of fantastical, magical, wondrous installations throughout the CBD. Sites include Cathedral Hill and various laneways, the NMIT Arts & Media building, and one major work in Queen’s Gardens. facebook.com/LightNelson
TAUPO WINTER FESTIVAL (9-25 JULY)
The Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupo Winter Festival runs during the July school holidays, with something for all ages. This year features the Mercury Light Hub, Wairakei Estate Ice Rink, Rapids Jet Ice Slide, Ebbett Taupo Fun Zone, and DPA Dinner on the Domain. Plus there’s a Harcourts Theatre Show, Cheal Degustation Dinner, live music, creation stations, and much more. taupowinterfestival.co.nz
AUCKLAND MATARIKI FESTIVAL (UNTIL 11 JULY)
The 2021 Auckland Matariki Festival features events right across Tamaki Makaurau. It celebrates the rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa, and is an important time in the Maori calendar. Historically, it’s a time for whanau to come together and acknowledge the year gone by, prepare and plan for the year ahead, and to celebrate with kai, korero, ceremony and entertainment. matarikifestival.org.nz
THE RENAULT FRENCH FESTIVAL (AUCKLAND, 11-14 JULY)
Ooh la la, the Renault French Festival is on again at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront. Discover the tastes of France with delicacies such as raclette, galettes, snails, boeuf bourguignon, oysters, macarons, croissants, pains au chocolat, crepes and patisseries. There will be live music bands, a kids’ corner, movie theatre, petanque contest, fireworks and more. frenchfestival.nz
WINTER PRIDE FESTIVAL (QUEENSTOWN, 27 AUGUST-5 SEPTEMBER)
Held annually in Queenstown, the Winter Pride Festival is jam-packed with amazing events and talent lineups, including some of the best-loved Australasian DJs. With fabulous dance parties, activities, pop-ups and more, it’s the perfect time for people to show their true selves in an accepting, supportive and fun community. winterpride.co.nz
ELEMENTAL AKL (AUCKLAND, 14 JULY-1 AUGUST)
Experience art, food, music and activities as Elemental AKL transforms eateries and bars, theatres and public spaces across Auckland into hubs of activity. From high-end ticketed experiences to free events, the line-up features enlightening, surprising, thought-provoking, nourishing and unique experiences to delight your eyes, feed your mind and fill your heart.
VISA WELLINGTON ON A PLATE (1-31 AUGUST)
For the entire month of August, you can eat, drink and enjoy Wellington, taking part in events and and sampling divine dishes that showcase the best of the region’s ingredients, suppliers and producers. Choose from over 140 events, from hands-on masterclasses to multi-course degustations and everything in between. Get all the tasty details at visawoap.com.
WINTER DECO (NAPIER, 16-18 JULY)
Set in an idyllic location, with the stunning surrounds of Art Deco architecture, the Art Deco Trust’s boutique festival, Winter Deco, is taking centre stage this July, showcasing the best Hawke’s Bay has on offer. The whole region steps back in time to capture what life was like between 1920 and 1940. artdecofestival.co.nz
