November

NOV 2 – Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon

Auckland, North Island – Sporting Event

New Zealand’s biggest city marathon, offering distances from 5 km to the full 42 km. Expect iconic views as runners cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and race through downtown crowned by cheering crowds. (Official site: aucklandmarathon.co.nz)

NOV 7–9 – International Rally of WhangArei

WhangArei, North Island – Motorsport Event

This round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship turns Whangārei’s rural roads into a high-speed spectacle. Thrill to the roar of engines and vibrant rally villages—but expect busy roads locally. (Official site: rallywhangarei.co.nz)

NOV 15 – Toast Martinborough

Martinborough, North Island – Food & Wine Festival

A picturesque one-day wine and food experience in a boutique vineyard village. Visitors hop between wineries to taste award-winning drops, paired with gourmet dishes and live music. Charming, relaxed, and endlessly refined. (Official site: toastmartinborough.co.nz)

NOV 15 – Queenstown International Marathon

Queenstown, South Island – Sporting Event

 A marathon in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings—Lake Wakatipu, vineyards, and mountain backdrops. Choose from marathon, half, 10 km, or fun run. A gorgeous welcome (or send-off) to New Zealand's adventure capital. (Official site: queenstown-marathon.co.nz)

NOV 22 – Kerikeri Half Marathon

Kerikeri, North Island – Sporting Community Event

On this fast downhill course, runners descend into Kerikeri Domain. After crossing the line, join locals at a friendly street party with live music and food stalls. Fun energy in the heart of Northland. (Official site: www.sportnorthlandevents.co.nz)

NOV 27–DEC 5 – GODZone Adventure Race

Marlborough Sounds, South Island – Multi-sport Expedition

Teams tackle 600–700 km by foot, bike, kayak, and navigation through rugged Marlborough wilderness. If you arrive in Picton in early December, you might spot athletes and support crews in the Sounds—an exhilarating display of endurance and teamwork. (Official site: godzoneadventure.com)

DECEMBER

DEC 29–31 – Rhythm &Vines

Gisborne, North Island – Music Festival

New Zealand’s first festival of the New Year, unfolding at a vineyard near Gisborne. Live stages, all-night camping, coastal dawn, and an international lineup. Camp under the stars and watch the first sunrise of the year. (Official site: rhythmandvines.co.nz)

DEC 29–31 – Rhythm & Alps

Cardrona Valley, Wanaka, South Island – Music Festival

Wanaka’s mountainous NYE celebration with multiple stages, alpine camping, yoga, swimming and late-night party vibes. Equally epic, more relaxed—perfect for energetic festival-lovers in a stunning setting. (Official site: rhythmandalps.co.nz)

January

EARLY JAN – Nelson Jazz Festival

Nelson, South Island – Music & Cultural Event

Held over the first weekend of January, this free-entry festival brings jazz and blues to public parks and venues. A gentle, melodic way to ease into summer in a charming arts town. (Official site: nelsonjazzclub.com)

JAN 16–17 – Picton Maritime Festival

Picton, South Island – Maritime / Community Festival

A beloved two-day celebration on the waterfront, featuring concerts, raft races, treasure hunts, and maritime-themed entertainment for all ages. Picton’s Foreshore becomes a lively festival hub, perfect for anyone keen to soak in local sailing culture. (Official site: maritimefestivalpicton.com)

JAN 24 – Mavora Explorer Race

Mavora Lakes, South Island – Bike & Trail Run Event

One-day trail and mountain-bike races in the scenic Mavora Lakes area (Te Anau Basin). Expect 6–21 km trail runs, optional duathlon events, and outdoorsy energy. (Official site: mavoraexplorer.co.nz/)

FEBRUARY

FEB 6 – Waitangi Day Observances

Nationwide - Cultural / National Holiday

Commemorations at the Treaty Grounds include Māori performance, ceremonial waka, and speeches. Many towns host local community events—it's an occasion for reflection, celebration, and collective identity. (Official site: publicholidays.co.nz)

FEB 14 – Marlborough Wine & Food Festival

Renwick, South Island – Food & Wine Festival

Classic wine-tasting day out in Marlborough’s vineyard country. This long-running festival offers gourmet food, wine flights, and live chef demonstrations in a sun-filled estate setting. (Official site: marlboroughwinefestival.com)

FEB 19–22 – Tremains Art Deco Festival

Napier, North Island – Heritage & Arts Festival

Napier goes full 1920s: think flapper dresses, jazz bands, vintage cars, swing dances, and themed picnics. An experiential return to the Roaring Twenties in New Zealand’s Art Deco capital. (Official site: artdecofestival.co.nz)

FEB 20–22 – Splore Festival

Auckland (Tapapakanga Park), North Island – Music & Arts Festival

A vibrant beachside camping festival with eclectic music, immersive art, workshops, and wellness sessions. Swim by day, dance by night—ultimately a joyful, inclusive gathering in nature. (Official site: splore.net)

March

MARCH 1–2 – Auckland Wooden Boat Festival (Talks & Tours Edition)

Auckland, North Island – Maritime Heritage Festival

A free, family-friendly event hosted by the NZ Maritime Museum featuring 160+ wooden boats, sail-making demos, sea shanties, knot-tying lessons, boat rides, and expert talks. Held along the Wynyard Quarter and the museum, it’s a delightful dive into maritime heritage. (Official site: aucklandwoodenboatfestival.co.nz)

MAR 13–15 – WOMAD New Zealand

New Plymouth, North Island – Music & Arts Festival

A world music and arts gathering set in lush bowl amphitheaters. Expect global performances, cooking demos, craft markets and a cultural melting-pot in open green space by the lake. (Official site: womad.co.nz)

MAR 14 – Wildfoods Festival

Hokitika, South Island – Food Festival

One of New Zealand’s quirkiest food events—think huhu grubs, possum pie, lamb testicles (!) and more daring West Coast fare. Add live music, cooking demos, and a cheeky “Feral Fashion” competition. (Official site: wildfoods.co.nz)

MAR 21–22 – Northburn 100 Miler Mountain Run

Cromwell, South Island – Trail Ultra Race

Three brutal laps (100 miles total) through Otago’s rugged high-country station terrain. Rocky, dry trails with punishing elevation and soul-testing heat: an ultra that stands apart. (Official site: northburn100.co.nz)

MAR 29 – Three Peaks Mountain Race

Dunedin, South Island – Trail Ultra Race

Summit Dunedin’s three surrounding peaks over 56 km plus optional shorter distances. Ascend ridgelines with ocean views, push rugged terrain, and finish with the satisfaction of conquering the city’s hills. (Official site: 3peaksmountainrace.com)

MAR 29–30 – CubaDupa

Wellington, North Island – Arts & Street Festival

A bold weekend city takeover transforming Cuba Street into a creative playground with music stages, street theatre, visual art installations and an energetic open-air carnival vibe. (Official site: cubadupa.co.nz)

MAR 28–29 – MarchFest: Nelson’s Craft Beer & Music Festival

Nelson, South Island – Craft Beer & Music Festival

A weekend of Nelson’s finest brews, local wines, live music, food stalls, and a big local community vibe. Family friendly during the day and more lively after dark. (Official site: marchfest.com)

MAR 31–APR 3 Warbirds over WAnaka

WAnaka, South Island – Airshow

Held every even-numbered year over Easter. This international aviation show features historic warplanes, aerobatics, and flyovers—roads close and hotels sell out early. Next one scheduled in 2026. (Official site: warbirdsoverwanaka.com) 

DATES TBD

LATE FEB / DATES TBD – BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival

Auckland, North Island – Cultural Festival

Celebrating Lunar New Year with dazzling lantern installations, performers, live music and fireworks on Auckland Harbour Bridge. Open-access, free entry, and full of spectacle. (Official site: aucklandnz.com/lantern)

MARCH (dates vary) – Balloons Over Waikato

Hamilton, North Island – Hot Air Balloon Festival

One of New Zealand’s most anticipated ballooning events, held annually in March at Innes Common and around Hamilton Lake. Over five days, dozens of balloons take flight at dawn, offering a magical spectacle over Waikato’s farmland and cityscape. The highlight is the ZURU Nightglow, where balloons are illuminated to music after dark, followed by fireworks—a free, family-friendly evening that draws crowds of around 80,000. (Official site: balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz)

MID-MARCH / DATES TBD – Pasifika Festival

Auckland, North Island – Cultural Festival

New Zealand’s largest Pacific Island cultural celebration. Western Springs park becomes a hub of vibrant music, dance, food and crafts from Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji and more. (Official site: aucklandnz.com/pasifika‑festival)

April (Dates TBD) - Wairarapa Balloon Festival

Masterton area, North Island – Hot Air Balloon Festival

Held over Easter weekend, this regional festival sees daily balloon ascents across multiple locations in Wairarapa. It blends visual delight with community fun, featuring morning take-offs, a “Family Carnival” with entertainment, food trucks, and a spectacular nighttime glow, where tethered balloons are lit to music. (Official site: www.nzballoons.co.nz/)