Whether you choose to don a feathered headpiece at Art Deco or lace up your shoes for the next big marathon, 2025 is packed with incredible events across Aotearoa. So mark your calendars and pack your bags — we’ve put together a list of events that you won’t want to miss.
Art Deco
If Gatsby-esque glamour is the vibe you’re going for this summer, head to Napier and step back in time at the Art Deco festival. The seaside town transforms into a 1930s wonderland — think glitzy soirees, speakeasy bars, classic films, and vintage car displays. With more than 200 activities, it’s one of New Zealand’s largest and most iconic events and definitely bucket-list worthy. So, pack your finest pinstripe suits and flapper dresses and get ready to immerse yourself in the Roaring Twenties.
Date: 13 to 16 February
Location: Napier
Where to stay: Find the best accommodation deals in Napier
Ironman
Swim, bike, run, and then brag because you’ve earned it. Ironman New Zealand is back in the stunning Lake Taupō. The ultimate endurance event — and the world’s second-longest-running Ironman — tests athletes as they make their way through one of the world’s most scenic racecourses. But if you’re more into spectating, enjoy the events from the sidelines and toast the competitors from a lakeside bach with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc in hand.
Date: 1 March
Location: Lake Taupō
Where to stay: Find the best holiday home deals in Lake Taupō
WOMAD
Lock in your travels to New Plymouth and prepare yourself for a whirlwind of sound as WOMAD Aotearoa returns for another promising year. And it’s not just about music; there’s a range of cultural and intellectual experiences with the World of Words featuring poetry slams, author talks, and podcasts, and STEM Lab offering sessions with innovators and visionaries from diverse fields such as marine biology, chocolate making, and the science of sleep. Alongside this, the 2025 line-up features global and local musical artists: 47Soul from Palestine/Jordan; Australia’s folktronic act Amaru Tribe, Etran de’Lair, Bosnia/Herzegovina’s Goran Bregović & His Wedding & Funeral Band, Black Comet, CHAII, and more. Bring your best festival-chic attire and get ready to dance under the Southern Hemisphere stars.
Date: 14 to 16 March
Location: New Plymouth
Where to stay: Find the best holiday homes in New Plymouth
Supercars, Lake Taupo: 11 to 13 April
Following the resounding success of the inaugural ITM Taupō Super400 in 2024, which drew a sold-out crowd of 67,000 plus spectators, Supercars will be roaring back into Taupō in April this year, from 11 to 13 April, coinciding with the start of school holidays (we’ll take that as our sign to book tickets). There are pit lane walk upgrades available to take a behind-the-scenes look, a paddock pass upgrade for exclusive access to the teams working in the garages, and trackside general admission tickets to find your favourite spot on the track and soak up the high-octane energy.
Date: 11 to 13 April
Location: Lake Taupō
Where to stay: Find the best holiday home deals in Lake Taupō
Wheels on Wanaka
If you haven’t decided on your Easter plans yet, here’s one that’s definitely worth consideration. Held every two years, the event is an all-vehicle, all-machinery showcase, featuring steam engines, tractors and farming heritage, cars, motorbikes, trucks, earthmovers, and heavy machinery spread across 50 acres. The 2025 event will also celebrate 100 years of Caterpillar. And if you still aren’t convinced, this year marks the final Wheels at Wanaka chapter so it’s now or never folks!
Date: 19 and 20 April
Location: Wānaka
Where to stay: Find the best accommodation deals in Wānaka
Hawke’s Bay Marathon
Soak up the beauty of Hawke’s Bay as you may your way through local cycle trails, quiet country roads, and pass vineyards and orchards, finishing at the Elephant Hill Estate & Winery. Whether you’re aiming for your PB (personal best) or simply looking for a leisurely run, reward yourself at the end with delicious kai (food), a well-earned glass of the region’s finest wine, and, of course, a finisher’s medal.
Date: 17 May
Location: Hawke’s Bay
Where to stay: Find the best holiday homes in Hawke’s Bay
Mardi Gras
One of our favourite winter festivals, Mardi Gras transforms Ohakune and Queenstown into a vibrant hub of music, lights, and high-energy celebrations, drawing thousands of festivalgoers. Featuring top-tier DJs, live performances, and an electric atmosphere, it’s the ultimate winter party. Stay tuned for official dates and line-up announcements.
Date: TBA
Location: Ohakune and Queenstown
Where to stay: Find the best holiday home deals in Ohakune and Queenstown
AIMS Games
Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, the AIMS Games in Tauranga Moana is an inspiring showcase of young talent, with thousands of competitors coming together from across the country for a week of intense competition and camaraderie. With more than 20 different sporting categories, the games offer something for everyone and is an invaluable platform for intermediate-aged athletes to test their skills and foster friendships through sport.
Date: 30 August to 5 September
Location: Tauranga
Where to stay: Find the best accommodation deals in Tauranga
Queenstown Marathon
Here’s another one for the bucket list. Picture this — stunning alpine vistas, crystal-clear lakes, gardens, and towns; it’s easy to see why the Queenstown Marathon is so popular among runners. Whether you’re running the full distance or option for a shorter challenge, the postcard-worthy scenery makes this a race like no other. It’s definitely a marathon worth travelling for.
Date: 15 November
Location: Queenstown
Where to stay: Find the best holiday homes in Queenstown
