Celebrate together this holiday season in Palmerston North! Explore all the community events in our guide. Whether you're deeply rooted in Palmerston North or just branching out, our guide helps your festive spirit flourish.
One of the highlights of the festive season is the Festival of Lights, a dazzling display that transforms the city into a sparkling wonderland. With glimmering decorations and enchanting light installations, it invites everyone to immerse themselves in the holiday magic. Another delightful occasion is the Victorian Fete, where visitors can step back in time with period costumes, traditional crafts, and festive food. And don't forget the Badjelly the Witch Glow Show, a captivating experience filled with whimsical storytelling and glowing characters that bring joy to audiences of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Palmerston North
- Festival of Lights (New Plymouth)
- Victorian Fete (Oamaru)
- Jan Preston's Boogie Circus With Special Guest Nick Charles
- Kupu Māori Writers Festival
- Badjelly the Witch Glow Show
- PN Film Society – Hatching
See these and even more events listed below!
Palmerston North Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound installations in a scenic park setting.
Description:
The TSB Festival of Lights in New Plymouth is an annual event featuring light installations, immersive light and sound displays, and music entertainment in Pukekura Park. It attracts thousands of tourists each summer with its creative and innovative displays.
Where: New Plymouth | More Info: Festival of Lights
Palmerston North Holiday Shows and Entertainment
PN Film Society – Hatching
What to Expect:
Monstrous coming-of-age horror.
Description:
The PN Film Society presents "Hatching," a Finnish horror satire directed by Hanna Bergholm, where a young gymnast copes with her demanding mother by caring for an oversized egg. This wicked film is part body horror and part creature feature.
Where: Palmerston North | More Info: PN Film Society – Hatching
Badjelly the Witch Glow Show
What to Expect:
Visually stunning glow-in-the-dark puppetry and storytelling.
Description:
The Badjelly the Witch Glow Show is a visually spectacular children's entertainment featuring glow-in-the-dark puppetry, beautiful artwork, and a great cast. It offers an immersive storytelling experience that captivates audiences with its creative costumes and effective lighting.
Where: Palmerston North | More Info: Badjelly the Witch Glow Show
Kupu Māori Writers Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrating Māori literature and storytelling.
Description:
The Kupu Māori Writers Festival is a significant celebration honoring Māori writers past, present, and future. It showcases the rich tapestry of Māori literature through workshops, readings, and engaging discussions, inspiring creativity and celebrating storytelling as a means of preserving cultural heritage.
Where: Palmerston North | More Info: Kupu Māori Writers Festival
Jan Preston's Boogie Circus With Special Guest Nick Charles
What to Expect:
Jan Preston's Boogie Circus features Jan's original songs and compositions with special guest Nick Charles.
Description:
Jan Preston's Boogie Circus With Special Guest Nick Charles is an album release tour celebrating 50 years of Jan Preston's enduring career as a piano player, singer-songwriter, and composer. Alongside projected images, Jan's trio will perform her original songs and compositions, providing a perfect counterpoint to her story. Special guest Nick Charles, an internationally renowned acoustic guitarist, will join the performance.
Where: Palmerston North | More Info: Jan Preston's Boogie Circus With Special Guest Nick Charles
Victorian Fete
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed entertainment and historical reenactments.
Description:
The Network Waitaki Victorian Fete is a vibrant annual event featuring incredible Victorian costumes, street performers, magicians, and stilt walkers. It celebrates Oamaru's rich history and heritage, with a focus on the town's growth and significance during the 19th century.