Arts & Culture Film & Music Recreation Sport Food & Wine

Film & Music

• Questions & Answers
• Articles

What types of music festivals or events are held back home?

New Zealand hosts a number of music festivals, predominantly over the summer months. From the WOMAD Festival to Big Day Out, they range from large-scale events to smaller festivals, and cater to every taste.

Auckland International Piano Festival
Dates: Fri 04 Jul 08 - Sun 13 Jul 08, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

The third Auckland International Piano Festival will feature a series of five recitals by artists with international reputations and a parallel series of fourteen masterclasses in which talented young students will work with these and other well known pianists. The 2008 Auckland International Piano Festival will see return visits to New Zealand by the renowned Italian pianist Marcella Crudeli and the Chinese pianist Yingdi Sun. The highly acclaimed John Chen, taking time away from his busy i...

2008 Festival of Brass - 128th NZ Brass Band Champs
Dates: Wed 09 Jul 08, 12:00pm - 12:00pm Wed 09 Jul 08 - Sun 13 Jul 08, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

The 2008 Festival of Brass is being hosted in Christchurch and will be the 128th NZ Brass Band Championships. Hosting over 35 bands from Australia and New Zealand the event is the oldest music festival in NZ and has over 1200 participants performing over five days in solo, small groups and Band events in five grades. Other popular events include the Parade of Bands (Friday 11th July at 1.00pm), the Simon Hocking House of Travel Invitation Slow Melody Competition and the finale event wher...

G-Taranaki Guitar Festival
Dates: Mon 14 Jul 08 - Sat 19 Jul 08, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Some of the biggest names in guitar playing will be descending on New Plymouth in July for New Zealand's first international guitar festival G-TARanaki. Guitar hero Joe Satriani will head an all-star lineup in the six-day celebration of all genres of guitar playing that will include workshops, forums, concerts, and jam sessions that everyday New Zealanders can take part in. The event will also showcase other legendary axemen including Glenn Hughes - former frontman of Black Sabbath and Dee...

Petone Winter Carnival 2008
Dates: Sat 19 Jul 08, 2:00pm - 7:30pm

The second annual Petone Winter Carnival is a major one-day festival celebrating the very best of winter on the iconic Petone Foreshore. The Carnival will feature an eclectic programme of free live music, visual arts, daring circus acts, fun-filled family activities and the spectacular finale - the annual Pelorus Trust Fireshow. Highlights of the Petone Winter Carnival includes chalk art drawing, circus and flying trapeze workshops, a polar plunge into the chilly Wellington Harbour, a spect...

Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival
Dates: Wed 06 Aug 08 - Sat 09 Aug 08, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Marlborough 4 Fun presents the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival 2008. The festival bings very talented school jazz band musicians together from all over the South Island – from as far away as Dunedin and Queenstown to perform and compete at venues all around the Marlborough region. The concert will showcase over 200 talented musicians. We are delighted to once again have the expertise of the New Zealand Air Force Band to take the Master class sessions and judge the competition as well ...

MTV Snow Jam 2008
Dates: Sat 16 Aug 08, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Christchurch Canterbury region has today been announced as the location for the third annual MTV Snow Jam. This year’s main event will take place from 3pm Saturday August 16 at world class luxury resort, Terrace Downs, set to be transformed into a one day free music festival featuring back to back performances from local and international acts. Christchurch born and bred Opshop join Cut Off Your Hands, The Grates and The Potbelleez, as the first artists to join the bill with more acts to ...

Whitianga Scallop Festival
Dates: Sat 30 Aug 08, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Pure indulgence! A weekend long celebration of Coromandel seafood and cuisine at the Whitianga Scallop Festival. Tickets go on sale 01 May for the festival marquee which will be located on the Marina Reserve between 10am and 5pm Saturday. Over 60 food and wine stalls, cooking demo’s, loads of competitions and great entertainment! On Friday and Saturday nights Whitianga’s restaurants and café’s will be cooking up a storm and hosting some great entertainment too. Whitianga Scallop Fe...

Christchurch Community Choirs' Festival
Dates: Sun 14 Sep 08, 2:00pm - 12:00pm

This marks the 60th year of the Community Choirs' Festival, originally started when a small group of choirs wanted to sing together. This year eight choirs will combine for this event, culminating with two joint brackets involving over 300 singers under the direction of Murray Lennox. Contact Email: murray@rosslyn-keynote.co.nz

Nelson Arts Festival
Dates: Thu 16 Oct 08 - Mon 27 Oct 08, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

The Nelson Arts Festival is presented by the Nelson City Council as an added attraction for visitors and a celebration for locals. The big international show of 2008 will be the physical comedy Tricicle from Spain that will be staged in the Energy Centre - after its been transformed into something between a OE Big Top and a professional theatre! The Festival will also include an exhibition of contemporary art installations, a Festival Café set up in the Granary and a whole range of perfor...

Auckland Diwali Festival of Lights
Dates: Sat 18 Oct 08 - Sun 19 Oct 08, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Bring all the family to the fun and excitement of the indian Diwali Festival of Lights in its new home at the Viaduct Basin. Sample spicy Indian snacks, browse the colourful craft stalls, and watch non-stop entertainment including the amazing -- and hotly contested -- Bollywood Dance Competition. On stage this year will be the musical group Panchnaad from India's holy city of Varanasi, bringing you classical fusion sitar and sarod, plus extraordinarily energetic Kathak dance. This not to ...

Wellington Diwali Festival of Lights
Dates: Sun 26 Oct 08, 1:00pm - 10:00pm

A heady mix of spicy scents and colours, the free annual Diwali mela is a not-to-be missed highlight of Wellington's events calendar. Sample tasty curries from dozens of delectable food stalls, watch non-stop authentic Indian entertainment, including joyous Bollywood dancers, and browse the colourful craft stalls. Organised by Asia New Zealand Foundation in partnership with Wellington City Council, the Diwali Festival also features exciting visiting performers from india.

Whangamata Art, Jazz and Blues Festival
Dates: Fri 07 Nov 08, 5:00pm - 12:00pm Sat 08 Nov 08, 9:00am - 11:00pm Sun 09 Nov 08, 9:00am - 11:00pm

The Whangamata art, jazz and blues festival is a celebration of New Zealand musicians and artists in the scenic Corromandel area. Enjoy a range of live jazz and blues in a variety of venues, with 28 artists including headline Act - Renne Geyer. Plus buskers, street performers and a range of contemporary art works on display. For more information visit the website.

Pohutukawa Festival
Dates: Fri 21 Nov 08 - Sun 07 Dec 08, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Summer is just around the corner! To welcome it in we have over 20 events on the Coromandel Peninsula, timed to coincide with the flowering of our beautiful Pohutukawa trees! See NZ's top bands play over two consecutive weekends in stunning Pohutukawa lined settings on the Thames Coast and Tairua, matched with great Coromandel food and wine! Then of course there are art exhibitions, cafe crawls, and of course the opening night party.

Caroline Bay Carnival
Dates: Fri 26 Dec 08 - Sun 11 Jan 09, every day, 10:00am - 5:00pm

This summer the Carnival is expected to be as big as other years with the variety of activities and entertainment. The amazing midnight New Years Eve fireworks display is a must see and a excellent night of family entertainment. Holidaymakers are treated to fairground style rides, free daily concerts, along with a variety of activities such as Inflatables, Mini Golf, Truck & Trailer Rig, Amac Bungy Trampoline, Train Rides and events and competitions along with entertainment by popular New Z...

Rhythm and Vines
Dates: Mon 29 Dec 08 - Thu 01 Jan 09, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Rhythm & Vines returns this year with a new 3 day format for extra fun and good times. The New Year's concert has become a legendary NZ summer experience. The 29th and 30th December will run from 1pm closing at 1am, giving you 12 hours of day and night Rhythm & Vines action. While the 31st December celebration kicks off a little later at 4pm and runs until 8am on the 1st January 2009. Last year the fifth year anniversary bought a colossal stable of both festivals goers and artists to Gisbor...

Chinese Lantern Festival 2009 - Auckland
Dates: Fri 06 Feb 09 - Sun 08 Feb 09, every day, 5:00pm - 10:30pm

Bring all the family to Albert Park to celebrate the new Chinese Year of the Ox amidst hundreds of beautiful feature lanterns specially imported from China. Browse dozens of delicious food stalls and picnic on the grass with your very own candle-lit paper lantern. Non-stop free entertainment, including our visiting performers from China. Organised by Asia New Zealand Foundation in partnership with Auckland City Council, the tenth Auckland Lantern Festival is a dazzling finale to the two-w...

Fringe Festival 2009
Dates: Fri 06 Feb 09 - Sun 01 Mar 09, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Fringe Festival is recognised as a unique creative launch pad for the arts in New Zealand. Fringe 09 will be even bigger and better with music, dance, theatre, comedy, exhibition and much more! It's going to be 3 weeks of organised chaos.

Chinese Lantern Festival
Dates: Sat 14 Feb 09 - Sun 15 Feb 09, every day, 5:00pm - 10:30pm

Bring all the family to celebrate the Chinese new Year of the Ox at the fifth Chinese Lantern Festival in Victoria Square. Marvel at hundreds of beautiful feature lanterns specially imported from China and browse dozens of delicious food stalls. Non-stop entertainment, including our visiting performers from China. Marking the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year festivities, the Chinese Lantern Festival is organised by Asia New Zealand Foundation with HSBC as principal sponsor.

Auckland Festival 2009
Dates: Thu 05 Mar 09 - Sun 22 Mar 09, every day, 9:00am - 11:00pm

Auckland Festival 2009 will again present outstanding work from the Pacific and New Zealand. It will include world premieres and international work never before seen in Australasia. Exciting developments are also being planned for the visual arts and contemporary music programmes. A bigger, better, bolder Festival Hub and an array of free events for the whole family will ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy and participate in. Make sure you visit the Festival website regul...

The Great New Zealand Muster - Street Festival
Dates: Sat 04 Apr 09, 9:00am - 11:00pm

The Great New Zealand Muster and the Running of the Sheep, takes place every year in conjunction with the New Zealand Shearing Championships. A street festival atmosphere that lets loose approximately 2000 sheep down the main street, brings Te Kuiti alive as thousands of visitors flock to the small town in the Waitomo District to soak up the live entertainment, thrill rides, exhibitors, craft and food stalls. For further information or stall registration packs please contact: Debie Glover ...

Email this