Come for the festival or event, and stay to discover a cranking creative scene, epic surf breaks, a dining scene full of flavour, and award-winning local brews.
Feastival Taranaki, 1-4 September
Feast around Taranaki this spring at the inaugural seasonal Feastival Taranaki event series to experience outstanding local produce. Feastival Taranaki combines local food collaboration, the season, and the rich bounty of our region and people to include more than 15 local events around the mountain this spring. The spring rendition of Feastival Taranaki celebrates the amazing food grown in South Taranaki, the talented people who create dishes from it, and the unique venues where we experience it. Find out more about all the events on offer at feastival.co.nz.
Midnight Oil concert, 8 September
Midnight Oil are heading to New Zealand and Taranaki to celebrate the release of their new album Resist! The tour will see them performing classic Midnight Oil songs from across their repertoire while also showcasing some new works. Playing at TSB Stadium on Thursday 8 September, the band has announced that this will be their final concert tour.
Taranaki Arts Trail, 28 October-6 November
Showcasing the vibrant and dynamic arts community in and around Taranaki, the Taranaki Arts Trail offers visitors the opportunity to interact with local artists in their studios or workshops. The volcanic landscape of Taranaki provides a beautiful backdrop to the weekend event, coinciding with the Ōakura Arts Trail, Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival, and Sustainable Backyards Trail.
Ōakura Arts Trail, 28 October-6 November
Self-guided arts trail about the beach-side town of Ōakura. Take a tour of the local painters, sculptors, glass artists, ceramic artists, jewellers, print makers, and furniture art makers.
Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, 28 October-6 November
Experience New Zealand’s biggest spring celebration at the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival. Taranaki is the garden capital of New Zealand, and for 35 years people have come here from far and wide during spring to discover and enjoy our award-winning gardens, extraordinary experiences, and world-class hospitality. We’re looking forward to welcoming you for ten days of spring celebration, glorious gardens, artists, and events.
Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival, 28 October-6 November
Adventure into the homes of garden gurus around Taranaki. Cottage gardens, native gardens, highly structured or rambling and informal – whatever your taste in gardens, there is something for everyone at the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival.
Taranaki Sustainable Backyards Trail, 28 October-6 November
This unique trail sees sustainable backyards across Taranaki open to the public to educate and inspire about practices such as composting, organic gardening, riparian planting, the use of recycled materials, chicken and beekeeping, worm-farming, and seed saving. With events that offer an insight into sustainable living systems, and different ways to living off the grid.
Spiegel Fest, 10-20 November
Boasting an impressive line-up of award-winning acts, highly decorated performers, and an enticing selection of live music, and the world-famous spiegeltent.
Coastal Five, 19-20 November
Experience a new spin on the classic marathon with the chance to finish a marathon event in 5 events over 2 days. Race one or race them all and become one of the first Coastal Five Marathon Legends at the Coastal Five event in November. Run against the backdrop of the mighty Mount Taranaki and spectacular New Plymouth coastline, while taking in the best highlights of the Coastal Walkway, world-renowned Pukekura Park, Pukeiti Gardens and Lake Mangamahoe - this truly is a running event like no other.
NZ Tattoo & Art Festival, 26-27 November
Australasia’s biggest tattoo and art event, featuring more than 250 of the world’s best artists, including Rose Hardy from Netflix series Tattoo Redo. Not to mention a stacked entertainment line-up with live music from The Upbeats, EMWA, and Head Like a Hole, FMX & BMX shows, tattoo competitions, a retail zone, and food truck zone.
TSB Festival of Lights, 17 December-29 January
The TSB Festival of Lights transforms Pukekura Park into a magical night-time wonderland, and is a spectacular backdrop for an extensive entertainment programme that runs day and night for much of the summer. The festival is free, and includes family-friendly programme, as well as entertainment during the evening.
A summer’s day – LIVE – UB40 concert at Bowl of Brooklands, 30 December
Get your red red wine ready, because on 30 December you can't help fall in love with the fact that reggae legends UB40 are set to take the stage, supported by Jefferson Starship and Dragon.
There won't be a rat in the kitchen, but there will be plenty of reggae summer vibes.
NZ Breakers, 4 January
The Sky Sport Breakers NZ are coming back to Taranaki in January, where they’ll be going head to head with the Perth Wildcats at the TSB Stadium. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for ticketing information to be released.
Jimmy Carr, 11 January
Jimmy Carr has announced he will be returning to Taranaki with brand new material on his ‘Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny’ Tour. The TSB Showplace is the very first stop on the comedian’s tour, on Wednesday 11 January. With two show times to choose from.
The Good Home Taranaki Off-Road Half Marathon, 14 January
Get ready for some trail fun around Lake Mangamahoe, with a choice of three distances during the event. The course winds around the breathtaking loop of the stunning Lake Mangamahoe, and includes a mix of muddy and rocky terrain.
AmeriCARna, 22-25 February
Attracting hundreds of showroom quality classic American cars and thousands of tourists to Taranaki every February, AmeriCARna is an event like no other. With visits to Ōpunakē, Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford, and Hāwera, the ever-popular Friday night cruising through New Plymouth CBD and park-up is not to be missed.
Oxfam Trailwalker, 11-12 March
Oxfam Trailwalker is back in Taranaki for 2023.
During 11-12 March, traverse beautiful mountainside and trek through idyllic countryside throughout Taranaki to raise money for charity.
It’s time to reconnect with ourselves, our friends, and with nature in picturesque Taranaki for Oxfam Trailwalker NZ 2023. Choose either 50km or 100km, whichever distance works best for you.
Registrations are now open.
Photo credit: Oxfam NZ
WOMAD, 17-19 March
WOMAD NZ is back in 2023, 20 years after the first festival opened its gates and introduced music lovers to a global discovery of Music, Arts and Dance.
After a two-year hiatus, the festival returns for three epic days of sounds, scenery, and good vibes. From 17-19 March 2023 at the stunning Bowl of Brooklands.