Experience the charm of New Plymouth during the holidays with our guide. From New Plymouth devotees to casual admirers, this guide ensures a magical yuletide experience.
In the heart of the season, WOMAD brings a vibrant tapestry of music and culture, showcasing performers from around the globe. With an emphasis on sustainability and community, you can immerse yourself in diverse sounds and flavours. And definitely don't forget about Rhythm and Vines, where invigorating lineups and breathtaking scenery create an atmosphere like no other. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around New Plymouth
- Rhythm and Alps (Wanaka)
- Rhythm and Vines (Gisborne)
- WOMAD
- Balloons Over Waikato (Hamilton)
- Soundsplash (Raglan)
- Victorian Fete (Oamaru)
- Whitianga Oceans Festival (Whitianga)
- Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge (Taupo)
- Christchurch Marathon (Christchurch)
- Wellington Marathon (Wellington)
See these and even more events listed below!
New Plymouth Holiday Markets and Shopping
Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas
What to Expect:
Local shopping and festive entertainment in a charming town setting.
Description:
Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas features a bustling Farmers Market, stalls lining Fore Street with gifts and treats, carol singers, and Father Christmas. Enjoy live music and entertainment, including an ice rink for all to enjoy.
Where: New Plymouth | More Info: Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas
New Plymouth Holiday Shows and Entertainment
WOMAD
What to Expect:
World-class lineup blending global music genres.
Description:
WOMAD Aotearoa is a world music, arts, and dance festival featuring Queen Omega, The Veils, NZTrio, Amaru Tribe, and Nitin Sawhney. The event celebrates diverse sounds and cultures over three days in New Plymouth, Taranaki.
Where: New Plymouth | More Info: WOMAD
Rhythm and Alps
What to Expect:
Celebrating 14 years with a 25th anniversary performance by Shapeshifter.
Description:
Rhythm and Alps is a multi-day music festival in Cardrona Valley, South Island, featuring a diverse lineup of artists including Becky Hill, Andy C, Shapeshifter, and more. The event promises an unforgettable New Year's celebration with stunning natural surroundings.
Where: Wanaka | More Info: Rhythm and Alps
Victorian Fete
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-themed entertainment with historical significance.
Description:
The Network Waitaki Victorian Fete is a day filled with incredible Victorian costumes, street performers, magicians, and stilt walkers. It celebrates Oamaru's rich heritage with a theme of "Growing for Gold," highlighting the town's historical significance as a supply center for the Otago goldfields.
Where: Oamaru | More Info: Victorian Fete
New Plymouth Other Holiday Activities
Rhythm and Vines
What to Expect:
Unique blend of EDM, dub, and reggae in a picturesque vineyard setting.
Description:
Rhythm and Vines is a three-day music festival held in Gisborne, New Zealand, featuring eclectic music genres and a unique setting half on the beach and half in a vineyard.
Where: Gisborne | More Info: Rhythm and Vines
Balloons Over Waikato
What to Expect:
Vibrant hot air balloon displays and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Balloons Over Waikato is New Zealand's premier hot air ballooning festival, featuring morning flying events at Innes Common and the spectacular ZURU Nightglow at Claudelands Oval, with live entertainment, carnival rides, and a spectacular balloon glow culminating in the SkyCity Hamilton fireworks extravaganza.
Where: Hamilton | More Info: Balloons Over Waikato
Queenstown Marathon
What to Expect:
Scenic course with a mix of trails and road surfaces.
Description:
The Queenstown Marathon is an annual running festival set in the stunning Queenstown Lakes district, offering 42km, 21km, 10km, and 2.2km kids run options. The course features 70% hard-packed trails and 30% road surfaces, with a mainly flat gradient. Runners can enjoy breathtaking mountain and lake views, making it one of the world's most scenic marathons.
Where: Queenstown | More Info: Queenstown Marathon
Wellington Marathon
What to Expect:
Scenic harbour bay course with iconic landmarks.
Description:
The Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon is a scenic, flat, and fast race day event featuring 10K, 21K, and 42K distances, as well as a Kids' Magic Mile. It doubles as the New Zealand and Wellington Half Marathon Championships.
Where: Wellington | More Info: Wellington Marathon
Christchurch Marathon
What to Expect:
Flat and scenic course through Christchurch's iconic landmarks.
Description:
The Christchurch Marathon offers a variety of distances, including a full marathon, half marathon, 10km, and Kids MaraFun runs. The flat and scenic course takes participants through iconic landmarks like Hagley Park, Christchurch Town Hall, and the Avon River. This event is a great opportunity to experience New Zealand's fastest-growing marathon while enjoying the city's stunning scenery and cheering crowds.
Where: Christchurch | More Info: Christchurch Marathon
Run Away Hawke’s Bay Marathon
What to Expect:
Unique mix of running terrain through Hawke’s Bay countryside.
Description:
The ASICS Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon offers flat, easy running through local cycle trails and quiet country roads, passing vineyards and orchards. The event culminates at the impressive Elephant Hill Estate & Winery, where participants can celebrate their efforts in style. The marathon features various distances, including 42km, 21km, and 10km, with a medal for every finisher. The event also includes live entertainment, spectator spots, and a brand new stunning ASICS merchandise range.
Where: Napier | More Info: Run Away Hawke’s Bay Marathon
Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
What to Expect:
Diverse cycling routes showcasing New Zealand's scenic landscapes.
Description:
The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is New Zealand's premier cycling event, offering a variety of routes including the iconic Shimano Round the Lake and the challenging Enduro ride. It celebrates its 46th year with scenic routes, community involvement, and a commitment to sustainability.
Where: Taupo | More Info: Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
Soundsplash
What to Expect:
Multi-genre music festival with global food market and camping.
Description:
Soundsplash is a boutique festival in Raglan, New Zealand, featuring a diverse lineup of multi-genre international and local acts, including underground artists. The event includes three stages: Summerhaze, Outsides, and Roots & Culture, as well as a global food market and camping options.
Where: Raglan | More Info: Soundsplash
Whitianga Oceans Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrating seafood and Kiwi music in a scenic coastal setting.
Description:
The Whitianga Oceans Festival is a celebration of seafood, music, and entertainment in the picturesque Coromandel Peninsula. Enjoy live music from iconic Kiwi bands like the Jordan Luck Band, Hands Off, and The Monroes, along with a variety of New Zealand seafood and local talent.