Plan your perfect festive season in Ashburton with our event guide. From Ashburton devotees to casual admirers, this guide ensures a magical yuletide experience.
Popular events include the Christmas at the Races Night Market, which showcases local crafts and delicious festive food in a vibrant atmosphere. Another highlight is the Christmas at Tauherenikau Races, where you can enjoy thrilling horse races alongside family-friendly activities. And the Tauranga Christmas at the Races is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its exciting blend of racing action and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Ashburton Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Ashburton
- Waipukurau JC at Hastings Christmas at the Races (Hastings)
- Tauranga Christmas at the Races (Tauranga)
- Christmas at Tauherenikau Races (Tauherenikau)
- Christmas at the Races Night Market (Trentham)
- Twilight Christmas at the Races (Hastings)
- Cure Kids Raceday (Ellerslie)
- Christmas at the Races hosting Rangitikei RC (Wanganui)
- The Christmas Cup (Trentham)
- Ascot Park Christmas at the Races (Ascot Park)
- Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Summer Night (Ellerslie)
See these and even more events listed below!
Ashburton Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas at the Races Night Market
What to Expect:
Vibrant community event with over 80 artisan craft stalls and 20 food trucks.
Description:
The Upper Hutt Night Market at RACE Trentham offers an exciting evening of entertainment, artisan crafts, and delectable food options for all ages. Over 80 artisan craft stalls showcase unique handmade products, while 20 food trucks provide a diverse range of culinary delights. The event features the lively sounds of The Shenanigans, ensuring a memorable night filled with music and joy. Free entry.
Where: Trentham | More Info: Christmas at the Races Night Market
Ashburton Holiday Shows and Entertainment
BadJelly the Witch Glow Show
What to Expect:
Visually stunning puppetry and immersive storytelling.
Description:
The Glow Show Co presents a visually spectacular, glow-in-the-dark storybook sensory experience featuring beautiful puppetry, a great cast, and superb storytelling. The show is truly immersive, captivating audiences with its creative costumes and effective lighting.
Where: Ashburton | More Info: BadJelly the Witch Glow Show
Ashburton Other Holiday Activities
Keep Learning Mid Canterbury Weed Wrangling Day
What to Expect:
Hands-on forest protection with guided weed wrangling.
Description:
Join Keep Learning Mid Canterbury for a community event where you can help protect Staveley Camp's native forest by identifying and eliminating invasive weeds. Take a short forest tour, learn about restoration work, and enjoy the sense of achievement from making a difference in preserving this beautiful patch of bush for future generations.
Where: Staveley | More Info: Keep Learning Mid Canterbury Weed Wrangling Day
Step back in time with The Plains Railway
What to Expect:
Vintage train rides and historic village exhibits.
Description:
Step back in time with The Plains Railway and explore a recreated historic village featuring vintage machinery, working blacksmiths, and historic farm equipment. Enjoy all-day train rides and discover exhibits showcasing rural history and local agricultural heritage.
Where: Tinwald | More Info: Step back in time with The Plains Railway
Christmas at Tauherenikau Races
What to Expect:
Unique blend of horse racing and holiday cheer.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Tauherenikau Races with exciting horse racing events and festive atmosphere.
Where: Tauherenikau | More Info: Christmas at Tauherenikau Races
Tauranga Christmas at the Races
What to Expect:
Thoroughbred racing with festive celebrations.
Description:
Tauranga Christmas at the Races combines thoroughbred racing with holiday cheer, featuring the Group 2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes race and festive celebrations.
Where: Tauranga | More Info: Tauranga Christmas at the Races
Waipukurau JC at Hastings Christmas at the Races
What to Expect:
End-of-year celebration with thoroughbred racing and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Celebrate the end of the year with Hawke's Bay Racing and Waipukurau Jockey Club at Waipukurau JC at Hastings Christmas at the Races. Enjoy a fun-filled day with thrilling thoroughbred racing, delicious food, and great company.
Where: Hastings | More Info: Waipukurau JC at Hastings Christmas at the Races
Christmas at the Races hosting Rangitikei RC
What to Expect:
Thoroughbred racing with festive entertainment.
Description:
Join Wanganui Jockey Club for a day of thoroughbred racing and festive entertainment, featuring the 176th running of the Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup.
Where: Wanganui | More Info: Christmas at the Races hosting Rangitikei RC
Cure Kids Raceday
What to Expect:
Thoroughbred racing with charity support and festive entertainment.
Description:
Join us at Ellerslie Racecourse for a day of thoroughbred racing, delicious food, and festive entertainment. Proceeds from this event support Cure Kids, a charity dedicated to medical research for children with serious health conditions. Enjoy various hospitality options, including Cuve, Ascot Stand, and Silks, or participate in general admission. The event features a Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes race and activities for kids.
Where: Ellerslie | More Info: Cure Kids Raceday
Twilight Christmas at the Races
What to Expect:
End-of-year party with live racing and entertainment.
Description:
Celebrate the end of the year with Twilight Christmas at the Races, featuring live entertainment, great food, and exciting thoroughbred racing action as the sun sets.
Where: Hastings | More Info: Twilight Christmas at the Races
Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Summer Night
What to Expect:
Fast-paced and action-packed racing event with live music.
Description:
Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Summer Night is a glamorous and stylish evening of racing at Ellerslie Racecourse, featuring live music and entertainment.
Where: Ellerslie | More Info: Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Summer Night
Ascot Park Christmas at the Races
What to Expect:
Glamorous party atmosphere with thoroughbred racing action.
Description:
Immerse yourself in a classic Christmas at the Races experience at Ascot Park, featuring live music, amazing food, TAB and bar facilities, and an atmosphere reminiscent of Flemington, Royal Ascot, or Aintree.
Where: Ascot Park | More Info: Ascot Park Christmas at the Races
The Christmas Cup
What to Expect:
Thrilling horse racing with diverse handicap and benchmark races.
Description:
The Christmas Cup at RACE Trentham features thrilling horse racing with various handicap and benchmark races, offering hospitality options for all racegoers.
Where: Trentham | More Info: The Christmas Cup
RSN Roofing Christmas at the Races
What to Expect:
Year-end racing celebration with free entry.
Description:
Celebrate the end of the year with an afternoon of racing at Ruakaka, featuring free entry and a fun atmosphere for all.
Where: Ruakaka | More Info: RSN Roofing Christmas at the Races
Noble & Lee Matamata Christmas at the Races
What to Expect:
Thoroughbred racing with festive food and drinks.
Description:
The Noble & Lee Matamata Christmas at the Races is a thrilling event featuring thoroughbred racing, delicious food, and refreshing beverages in a laid-back setting. It's a perfect chance to celebrate the year that was in raceday style.
Where: Matamata | More Info: Noble & Lee Matamata Christmas at the Races
LawnMaster Christmas At The Races
What to Expect:
Prestigious horse racing with festive hospitality options.
Description:
Celebrate the festive season at LawnMaster Christmas At The Races with thrilling horse racing and various hospitality options. Enjoy free general admission and watch prestigious stakes races like the Manawatu Challenge Stakes and Manawatu Cup.