Top Festivals to Attend on Your Trip to New Zealand

Updated on May 07, 2023 | Online New Zealand Visa

In a country bestowed with wonderful natural beauty, every day could be seen as a celebration. However, New Zealand still has a range of festivals spread across all seasons from energising summers to charming and pretty winters.

If you are roaming the cities of North Island or even if you happen to be somewhere magical in the South Island, chances of coming across a great celebration are very likely in every season.

A celebration of life, New Zealand will showcase you its many colours and culture through its variety of festivals and celebrations based on various themes, finally offering something to each searching soul.

New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)

New Zealand eTA Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. New Zealand Visa application process is automated, simple, and completely online. New Zealand Immigration now officially recommends Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain New Zealand eTA by filling out a form on this website and making the payment using a Debit or Credit Card. You will also require a valid email id as New Zealand eTA information will be sent to your email id. You do not need visit an embassy or consulate or to send your passport for Visa stamping. If you are arriving to New Zealand by the Cruise Ship route, you should check the New Zealand ETA eligibility conditions for Cruise Ship arrival to New Zealand.

How to use ETA New Zealand Visa to visit New Zealand?

Travelling with ETA New Zealand Visa to New Zealand is not only the easiest way to travel but also comes with many other benefits which will attract travellers to visit New Zealand using eTA.

If you want to visit New Zealand for the purpose of tourism or any other short-term visit then using an eTA could be the best thing for you. An eTA is valid for 2 years from its date of activation or before the expiry of your registered passport; whichever is earlier.

As an eTA holder you will be allowed to visit New Zealand at multiple times within a 2-year time. Each visit would allow you to stay and travel within the country for 30 days.

Applying for eTA is an easy application process which comes in an all-online format, hence saving you the time of frequent visits to the embassy.

Unlike a regular visa, eTA for New Zealand would take less than 72 hours to process your application.

Here you can easily find if your country is one of the 60 visa-waiver countries eligible for ETA New Zealand Visa.

Must See Dynamic Music Festivals

Plan a trip to New Zealand during the summer months when the weather is forgiving and best to enjoy in the open spaces.

This is the time of the year when you will come across many music festivals in the country, offering a simple treat to the senses. Find great musical celebrations spread across the North Island and the South Island and add more memories to your trip to the country. Read along to explore some of the best music festivals of New Zealand.

Rhythm and Alps, Wanaka

A three-day music festival held at the heart of South island in Wanaka, New Zealand, Rhythm and Alps is one of the most well-known music festivals of the world. People from all over the planet join this crazy celebration evening every year in the month of December.

Celebrate new year in a perfectly blasting way possible as you plan a trip to New Zealand in the month of December. To attend the festival in Cardrona Valley, South Island, prepare in advance of your trip so that you can reach the place in time for the festivities.

World of Music, Arts and Dance

A celebration of world music and arts from around the world, you would be most lucky to witness this festival in New Zealand on your trip to the country.

An amalgamation of all great pieces of arts and dances from various countries, be sure to attend this massive cultural gathering in New Zealand.

Founded in the 1980’s by a group of individuals who shared great love for the world's culture and music, you will come across a wide variety of international artists showcasing their talents from different cultures and countries.

With plenty of workshops and activities to attend within the festival gathering there is surely something for everyone, making WOMAD a must attend celebration on your next trip to the nation.

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New Zealand has a new entry requirement known as the Online New Zealand Visa or eTA New Zealand Visa for short visits, vacations, or professional visitor activities. To enter New Zealand, all non-citizens must have a valid visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA). Learn more at Online New Zealand Visa.

Splore, Orere Point

Annually held at the shores of Tapapakanga Regional Park in Orere Point New Zealand, if your visit to New Zealand is planned during the month of February then you can be a part of this awesome celebration of music and arts.

Probably the most beautiful festival setting in the country, the three-day celebration is like a massively colourful event in New Zealand.

Splore will amaze you with its music, workshops, flash mobs and many experiences to participate as you explore the diverse arts and culture showcased by artists from New Zealand.

St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival

Beginning in 2004, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival is everything from indie, known and to the unknown world of music and arts.

Held at various cities of Australia and even Singapore, the Laneway festival New Zealand is the summer charm of the country, with the great vibe of the place energising the whole arena around Auckland.

The festival takes its roots from Melbourne in 2005 in Caledonia Lane, and in the last eleven years has expanded to various cities of Australia and New Zealand. Wait for this event in the month of February in Auckland as you plan your trip to the country.

Food, Flavours and a Strange Delight

Any country’s travelling experience is incomplete without exploring its flavours which greatly reflect much about its history and culture.

Trying a new cuisine can either be a life changing tasting experience or a challenging one but be it any for a memorable experience of a trip to New Zealand, if you get a chance do indulge in these flavourful events which will either cherish or explode your senses!

Whakatāne's Local Wild Food Festival

An evolution of the Ōhope Local Wild Food Challenge, the Whakatāne's Local Wild Food Festival is the biggest food celebration in New Zealand.

Meet live music, food from the corners of the country, workshops, challenges and demonstrations in Ohope, in the Bay of Plenty region.

The festival kicks off every year in March and if you are planning a tour of New Zealand this year then don't forget to be a part of the 2023 celebrations.

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Since 2019, NZeTA or New Zealand eTA has been made a necessary entry document needed by foreign citizens on arrival to New Zealand. New Zealand eTA or electronic travel authorisation would allow you to visit the country with the help of an electronic permit for a given period. Learn more at How to visit New Zealand in a Visa-Free way.

Auckland Vegan Food Truck Festival

If your sustainable food choices is what stops you from taking part in any food celebration then rejoice, as while in New Zealand you will be welcomed with the biggest vegan food festival in the country.

Local food from the streets becomes the highlight of this festival every year in the month of April.

If you happen to visit New Zealand in 2023 April then surely give yourself a chance to indulge in this one-of-a-kind food experience in Victoria Park, Auckland.

Winetopia, Auckland

A celebration of New Zealand’s wine industry, the festival represents all major wine producing regions of the country. Go through the fantastic wineries of New Zealand which are spread as different outlets with plenty of food tasting available from across regions of the country.

Or even take a master class guiding you through the process of making world class tasting wine by the experts themselves.

You can find more than 60 wineries from across New Zealand becoming a part of this event and if you are looking for variety then there are expert chef talks or a talk session wine critics is something which would take most of your time.

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival

You may not want to know about it but the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is something unique to add to your list of crazy experiences in New Zealand.

If tasting some of the strange sounding foods could be a part of your trip to a foreign country then this festival is there to add to your amazement.

Started in 1990, the festival celebrates the flavours and local produce from the West Coast South island,

Although everybody can find their kind taste in this south island event, the wildfoods is mainly known for its most notorious and unusual offerings. If tasting crazy things is on the menu for you then Wildfoods festivals will surely go beyond your expectations.

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Visitors from Visa Free nations, also known as Visa Waiver countries, must apply for an online electronic travel authorization in the form of a New Zealand eTA from 2019. Learn more at New Zealand Tourist Visa.

Wellington on a Plate

Known as New Zealand’s biggest culinary celebration, WOAP or Wellington on a Plate is the annually held largest food celebration in the country.

Celebrating the produce and foods from Wellington as well as around other corners of the country, everybody can easily find ways to satisfy their palate.

The event is not specified for a particular month and rather is spread around different months from May to August based on different themes.

The festival’s highlight is the Burger Wellington dedicated to exploring everything a burger could be transformed into from finding unique tastes in burgers to creating a never tasted before combination along with hundreds of other events spread from the month of May to August.

Don’t Miss These Top Events in New Zealand
Marchfest, Nelson

Set in the sunny city of Nelson, you will find New Zealand’s best craft breweries, live music, local artisan foods, children’s entertainment, more food and beer at this one of a kind festival which is too big to put solely in the category of beer festivals only.

A truly unique experience of the city of Nelson, the craft beer and music festival takes places annually in the month of March making it the highlight among South island events.

Not just a beer festival but the whole range of other events with live music, workshops, educational forums and variety foods is what makes this event a family friendly day out.

Victorian Fete, Oamaru

Beginning every year in November, this festival is your magic moment to explore the charm and all attractive things from the Victorian times.

Oamaru Victorian Heritage celebrations welcome the visitors with enlightening events from the Victorian times, ranging from theatre, performing arts, Victorian style food, traditional dances, talks on tales from history and much more, all of which would transport you to a world of royal delight.

This unique event can be termed as one of the only few and the best places to experience a taste of European history all right at one place. Set in Oamaru town of South island Waitaki district, the location of this event makes it perfect and true to its name.

Known for its penguin colonies and fine limestone Victorian architecture, try taking a stroll around the Victorian Precinct of this largest south island town and you will want to keep exploring the mystical charm from that time in history.

Be free to dress your best in Victorian era attire which is not an unusual thing to notice in the region, as well as find little good things about Oamaru in its traditional crafts, handmade cheese, pretty harbour, gorgeous public gardens, the view of the pacific and many more experiences beyond words.

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New Zealand eTA or NZeTA has been made a necessary entry document needed by foreign citizens on arrival to New Zealand from 2019. If visiting New Zealand is among your travel plans or a trip to the country for any other specific purpose, then your wait to get an authorisation to visit New Zealand could be simply a few minutes. Learn more at New Zealand Business Visa.

World Buskers Festival, Christchurch

Carrying a legacy of 30 years, the world buskers festival is a platform for renowned street artists from across the world to showcase their talents and skills.

As a foreign visitor to New Zealand you can be a part of this global celebration carrying the roots of busking and making it a more renowned experience for the audience.

The event includes many ticketed and free shows with diversity ranging from children to adult-only showcases. Spanning as a month-long event, you can find multiple street performers pitching their performance at various areas across the city of Christchurch.

The contagious energy of mindblowing street artists is something that would amaze you and keep you glued to spectacular performances.

If you happen to be in this largest South island city in the month of january then be sure to step into the world of great artists where they would guide you to an incredible and fun filling journey expressed through their art forms.

While many come to New Zealand mainly to explore its great and gorgeous landscapes but to get into the right vibe of the country and its people take a step through its many festivals and events where not one but a variety of events will keep you packed up for the day or even weeks.

As a foreign traveller to New Zealand your trip to the country will be a deep experience of a country’s culture and lifestyle with a glance through these vibrant and biggest festivals of the country.

Visit New Zealand with an E-Visa

Citizens of all 60 nationalities are eligible for eTA New Zealand can apply for a ETA New Zealand Visa to visit the country.

Since October 2019, eTA has been made a mandatory requirement for entry to New Zealand in case of citizens from New Zealand visa waiver countries.

As a citizen from a visa waiver country, your eTA will be checked by the officials at the checkpoint.

ETA New Zealand Visa application process is a simple online visa application procedure in comparison to a traditional visa application process.

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Find All the Details About the New Zealand Visa Registration Process and Form Instructions. Completing a New Zealand Visa application is quick and easy. Filling out the online form takes minutes, and you don't have to go to an embassy or consulate. Learn more at New Zealand Visa Application Form.

Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your Online New Zealand Visa. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). United States citizens, European citizens, Canadian citizens, United Kingdom citizens, French citizens, Spanish citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA. United Kingdom residents can stay on New Zealand eTA for 6 months while others for 90 days.