Taranaki has a brilliant events calendar. If you can time your visit to coincide with one of our major festivals, do it—the region really comes alive when there's something big on.
TSB Festival of Lights (Summer)
Every summer, from mid-December to late January, Pukekura Park is transformed into an illuminated wonderland. Thousands of people wander the paths at night, grabbing food from the stalls and catching free live music on the lawn. It is an absolute must-do if you're here in summer.
WOMAD (March)
The World of Music, Arts and Dance festival comes to the Brooklands Bowl every March. It’s a massive three-day celebration with artists from all over the globe. The vibe is incredibly chill, family-friendly, and culturally rich.
Taranaki Garden Festival (Spring)
If green thumbs and blooming rhododendrons are your thing, spring is the time to visit. During this massive festival, dozens of private, world-class gardens open their gates to the public. Famous spots like Tūpare and Hollard Gardens look absolutely spectacular during this time.
Taranaki Arts Trail
A brilliant weekend where you can grab a map and drive around visiting the private studios of painters, sculptors, and mixed-media artists all over the region.
Taranaki Multi-Ethnic Extravaganza (March)
Waitangi Day and early March often bring out the vibrant Taranaki Multi-Ethnic Extravaganza. It’s an incredibly colourful, welcoming celebration focusing on food, performances, and community spirit representing dozens of different cultures living in the region.
Opunake Beach Carnival (Summer)
An absolute local classic, the carnival has been running for decades. Expect sandcastle competitions, miss/mr Opunake beach contests, food stalls, and a brilliant, unapologetically old-school kiwi summer vibe.
Americarna (February)
For nearly a week every February, the roads of Taranaki rumble to the sound of massive V8s. Americarna is a celebration of American car culture, drawing hundreds of incredible hot rods, classics, and modern muscle cars to cruise the region.
Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival (Spring)
Running alongside the main Garden Festival, the Fringe Festival is a slightly more grassroots affair. It showcases the incredible passion of everyday local gardeners and often includes art trails, quirky backyards, and craft stalls.
Keep an eye on the event calendar when you're booking your flights—you might just catch something awesome!
